Lobbyist Kevin Ring worked for Montana's Carter County for several years. He pleaded not guilty on September 8th to a 10-count federal indictment. The indictment accused him of conspiring with jailed former lobbyist Abramoff to win assistance from congressional and executive-branch officials by giving them things of value.

Ring was recommended to Carter County by Montana Representative Denny Rehberg. He was hired in 2003 to help obtain federal dollars to pave a portion of gravel highway between the small towns of Alzada and Ekalaka in southeastern Montana.

Prosecutors allege he used his inappropriate relationship with a congressional aide to secure some of that money. Carter County Commissioner Joe Courtney says the county fired Ring when news reports started popping up about his association with Abramoff.