Former Associate Of Jack Abramoff Wants Conviction Overturned

On Behalf of | Mar 14, 2013 | White Collar Crime

In 2010, Kevin Ring was convicted of providing illegal gratuities, honest services wire fraud and conspiracy. As an associate of Jack Abramoff, Mr. Ring was convicted in part for providing meals, tickets to events and other perks to government officials illegally in order to receive favorable treatment for his clients. He was also convicted for failing to give shareholders his honest services due to his illegal conduct. While Jack Abramoff was the mastermind of the scheme and received a four-year sentence, government prosecutors asked that Mr. Ring be given a sentence of 22 years in prison. In the end he was sentenced to 20 months in prison, a sentence which he is still fighting.

Mr. Ring’s conviction was recently upheld by a three-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He is now requesting that the panel’s decision be reconsidered by the full circuit. The basis upon which he rests his reconsideration request is that the panel ruling conflicts with previous cases considered by the full circuit. He also contends that the decision conflicts with holdings of other federal circuit courts, as well.

Part of the issue is the application of the “honest services” legal doctrine. That doctrine has been the subject of considerable debate since the language it is based on was passed by Congress in 1988. The definition of honest services fraud is vague and Mr. Ring believes it has not been applied correctly in his case.

Source: Main Justice, “Ex-Abramoff Associate Kevin Ring Asks Full D.C. Circuit to Review Conviction,” by David Stout, 12 March 2013

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