In todays proceedings of the trial of Kevin Ring, associate of imprisoned lobbyist Jack Abramoff, former congressional staffer-turned-lobbyist Neil Volz described Ring as the "COO of Team Abramoff" and the No. 2 lobbyist in the group starting in mid-2002.

Volz also said Ring was "not as close" personally to Abramoff as other lobbyists on their team such as Todd Boulanger, who is expected to testify in the trial next week and pleaded guilty earlier this year for his involvement in the scandal.

Volz responded emotionally to questions about his personal relationship with Ring. The day before Volz pleaded guilty for his involvement in the Abramoff scandal in 2006, the two played basketball. On the day of his plea, Ring brought him dinner, Volz said.

In its cross-examination, the defense asked Volz if the numerous e-mails being used by the prosecution were "bittersweet" jokes, meant to be funny at the time. Volz agreed that he read some elements of the e-mails as jokes at the time they were sent, but believed that phrases like "sugar daddy" that showed up in the e-mails "exemplified" how the lobbying group was doing business, and overall he did not read most of them as jokes.

Volz' testimony, which began on Monday, has now concluded.