Representative John Doolittle (R-CA) is sweating a bit more today, according to a story posted in The Politico this afternoon
Amid reports the Justice Department is investigating ties between Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.) and jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff, a key link between the two, Kevin A. Ring, has abruptly resigned from his law firm.
The culture of corruption, which contributed heavily to the GOP's defeat in the 2006 Election, may well claim another victim.
What was Kevin Ring's relationship to Representative Doolittle?
Ring, 36, was an aide to Doolittle for five years and later worked for Abramoff at Florida-based law firm Greenberg Traurig. He often served as an intermediary between Abramoff’s clients and Doolittle’s office, according to news reports, and has remained close to Doolittle and his wife, Julie, who did consulting work for Abramoff.
Although Doolittle's Office denies that the congressman is the target of any US Justice Department investigation
Ring’s resignation could foreshadow deepening problems for Doolittle in the Abramoff inquiry.
"It’s typical prosecutorial methodology to work their way up the ladder, put pressure on underlings, cut a deal with them to save their skin and to bring in the bigger fish," said Kenneth A. Gross, an ethics expert at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
Doolittle, according to news reports, helped direct appropriations to Abramoff’s clients, weighed in on their behalf in disputes, used Abramoff’s skybox for a fundraiser, received over $130,000 in political donations from Abramoff, his clients and associates.
In last fall’s election campaign, Democrat Charlie Brown charged that Doolittle was part of a Republican "culture of corruption." But the congressman was reelected with 54 49.1 percent of the vote. {Correction: This should read 49.1%, as pointed out in comments downthread}
A few more stories like this and we may reach the tipping point where a really historic political realignment - as an excellent article 'The Coming Party Realignment' by Lawrence Goodwyn in The Nation magazine suggests - may be in the offing in next year's election.
Can the news get any worse for the Republican Party?
Update - 5:40pm: I found this information under Kevin Ring's entry in Wikipedia. It lists the scorecard for the Abramoff Scandal
JACK ABRAMOFF SCANDAL SCORECARD
* Pleaded guilty
- Jack Abramoff
- J. Steven Griles
- Adam Kidan
- Bob Ney
- Tony Rudy
- Michael Scanlon
- Roger Stillwell
- William Heaton
- Neil Volz
* Convicted
* Named but not charged
* Others
- Team Abramoff
- Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis
- Grover Norquist
- Susan Ralston
- Ralph Reed
This scandal is far from over. Land of Enchanment had an earlier diary on this news with additional information on the CA district from where Doolittle was re-elected last year. LOE points out that Doolittle won by only 49.1% to 45.9% and not the 54% that the Politico article says.
Update - 6:30pm: The Associated Press added this a few minutes ago
Levin declined to comment on why Ring resigned. Ring's attorney, Richard Hibey, said Ring resigned of his own accord.
"He is being responsive to whatever is going on," Hibey said. He would not comment on whether Ring is cooperating with the Abramoff investigation.
Ring worked for Doolittle from 1994 to 1997 as a legislative assistant and then legislative director in his Washington office and remains on friendly terms with the congressman. In 2000, while working with Abramoff, he discussed with Abramoff the possibility of getting a job for Doolittle's wife, according to an e-mail released by the Democratic staff of the Senate Finance Committee.
Julie Doolittle later went to work on retainer for Abramoff doing event planning.
Doolittle has numerous ties to Abramoff including accepting campaign cash from him, interceding on behalf of his tribal clients and using his sports box for a fundraiser without initially reporting it. He says he has done nothing wrong and has not been contacted by the Justice Department in the probe, but last year he hired a criminal defense lawyer.
Ring's resignation was first reported by politico.com.