A federal prosecutor has been removed from the case of a Jack Abramoff associate due to ties to the botched trial of former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Roll Call reports.

William Welch heads the Public Integrity Section at the Department of Justice. He was handling the case of Kevin Ring, a former tribal lobbyist who has been indicted in connection with the Abramoff scandal.

But Ring's lawyers raised concerns at a hearing on Monday, Roll Call reports. Welch faces a criminal contempt proceeding for his role in the Stevens prosecution.

Ring left Abramoff's lobbying firm after the scandal broke in February 2004 and continued to represent tribal clients. He refused to testify before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Get the Story:
Welch to Be Dropped From Ring Case (Roll Call 4/21)

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