Lobbying trial features scandal players

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- The first case to feature key players in a Capitol Hill staff lobbying scandal is scheduled to begin this week, a citizens' watchdog said.

John Albaugh, former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla., pleaded guilty to a felony conspiracy charge, and is expected to testify at a lobbyist's trial that he received numerous tickets and meals from a lobbyist while helping the lobbyist's clients get funding for road projects, The Oklahoman reported Monday.

Kevin Ring once worked with now-imprisoned lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Abramoff is the main figure in a scandal that ensnared 20 public officials and lobbyists.

Because most of the officials and lobbyists pleaded guilty, testimony by Albaugh and Ring is expected to bring out information on some of the players in the scandal.

The charges against Ring center around allegations he schemed to deprive citizens of "their right to the honest services of certain public officials within the legislative and executive branches."

Ring claims he can't be held responsible for the actions of former government employees.