You simply must be kidding me.

Justice Dept official resigns over investigation connected with Abramoff

by Marisa Taylor and David Whitney

McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON – A senior Justice Department official has resigned after coming under scrutiny in the Departmentâ€™s expanding investigation of convicted super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, according to a Justice Department official with knowledge of the case.

Making the situation more awkward for the embattled Department, the official, Robert E. Coughlin II, was deputy chief of staff for the criminal division, which is overseeing the Departmentâ€™s probe of Abramoff.

He stepped down effective April 6 as investigators in Coughlinâ€™s own division ratcheted up their investigation of lobbyist Kevin Ring, Coughlinâ€™s long-time friend and a key associate of Abramoff. (Story.)