During opening statements today in the trial of Kevin Ring, a former associate of imprisoned ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff, the prosecution drew a distinction between legal and illegal lobbying, contending that Ring knowingly acted outside the normal bounds of the profession.

"The defendant, Kevin Ring, was a lobbyist in name, but a corrupter in reality," said Nathaniel Edmonds, an attorney for the Department of Justice.

The prosecution's main argument, as outlined today, was that by providing tickets to events like the NCAA basketball tournament and a U2 concert and paying for expensive dinners and drinks, Ring intended to "reward and influence" public officials and their staffs for "official acts" that brought him and his clients millions of dollars worth of business.

Edmonds described legitimate tools of lobbying as influencing with arguments based on policy, political merits, or even campaign contributions, but said that while Ring used those methods, he also sometimes gave "illegal personal gifts."

Ring "did all the things lobbyists do. But he did more," Edmonds said.

The prosecution argued that these personal gifts were used to convince public officials to give Ring favors that would help his clients.

"A public official would essentially be on call to help them out.... That is a crime," Edmonds said.

Because Ring took steps to conceal his efforts, he showed intent to partake in illegal activities, the prosecution said. Edmonds cited instances in which Ring did not list names on expense reports and called tickets "fruit" in e-mails in case they were being recorded.

"This is not standard lobbying," he said. "This is not ethical lobbying."

Edmonds repeatedly referred to Ring as part of "Team Abramoff," linking him to the notorious ex-lobbyist who pleaded guilty in January 2006 for fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials. To date, 20 people have been convicted, pleaded guilty or are awaiting trial in relation to the Abramoff scheme, but Ring is only the second to go to trial for his involvement.

Edmonds confirmed that prosecution witnesses will include Neil Volz, former lobbying associate of Ring and staff member to former Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio; Todd Boulanger, former lobbying associate of Ring; John Albaugh, chief of staff to former Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla.; and Henry Schuelke, an external investigator at Ring's firm, Greenberg Traurig.

The case is being tried in the District Court of the District of Columbia. The prosecution's presentation of evidence begins on Monday morning.