Ex-Justice official charged in Abramoff probe

Tuesday, April 22, 2008  

A former Department of Justice official was charged on Monday in connection with the Jack Abramoff scandal.

Robert Coughlin was deputy chief of staff of the criminal division at DOJ. He is accused of accepting gifts from one of Abramoff's associates in exchange for taking action to benefit Abramoff's clients.

According to the Associated Press, Coughlin pressed for federal funding to help the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians with a detention facility. The Choctaws were Abramoff's biggest client.

The Abramoff lobbyist who provided the gifts was Kevin Ring, who promised Coughlin a job at Greenberg Traurig, the AP said. Coughlin resigned in April 2007 after being linked to the scandal.

Get the Story:
Former Justice Official Accused of Exchanging Favors With Abramoff (The Washington Post 4/22)
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Ex-Justice official is charged in corruption inquiry in connection with Jack Abramoff (The Los Angeles Times 4/22)
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Former Justice Official Charged in Abramoff Lobbying Probe (AP 4/22)
Abramoff Fallout: Ex-DOJ Official Charged (ABC News 4/21)