Former Ashcroft aide, Abramoff partner arrested on conspiracy, fraud charges

Former lobbyist Kevin Ring, a one-time aide to John Ashcroft when Ashcroft represented Missouri in the U. S. Senate, was arrested Monday on charges of conspiracy, fraud, and obstruction of justice "in connection with his alleged role in a four-year scheme to lavish tickets and trips on lawmakers and government officials in return for help for his clients.":

Ring, 37, had worked hand in hand with disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Indian tribes that sought to operate gambling casinos, describing the efforts in boastful private e-mails later used by prosecutors to build a criminal case against the lobbyists, according to an indictment unsealed yesterday.