Doing Favors for Lobbyists Leads to Trouble

A Nov. 24 Department of Justice Office of Inspector General press release gives information on a recent conflict of interest prosecution. Here's the lead:

U.S. District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle sentenced Robert E. Coughlin II, age 36, former Deputy Director of the Office of Intergovernmental and Public Liaison at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), today to 30 days in a halfway house, for a conflict of interest in connection with assistance he provided to a lobbyist and law/lobbying firm in matters that were before DOJ in return for a stream of things of value such as sports and concert tickets, meals at upscale restaurants and golf.