Posted on 10/15/2009 2:50:41 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON – A judge declared a mistrial Thursday in the case of a former lobbyist caught up in the Jack Abramoff affair, the biggest setback in the government's long-running prosecution of the influence-peddling scandal.
The jury deadlocked over allegations that Kevin Ring lavished thousands of dollars worth of tickets and meals on employees of then-Republican Reps. John Doolittle of California and Ernest Istook of Oklahoma and on Justice Department officials in return for congressional appropriations and other assistance for Abramoff's clients.
The panel of seven women and five men also was unable to reach a verdict on another count, on Ring's part in arranging a job that paid $96,000 to Doolittle's wife. On Tuesday, jurors said they had reached a verdict on that count, although they did not disclose what it was. In two more days of deliberating about the case, the jurors' agreement on that count came undone.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Clinton appointee Judge 1999. hubby is a labor lawyer, Jeffrey Huvelle.
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