April 21 (Bloomberg) -- A former U.S. Justice Department official was charged with criminal conflict of interest for allegedly providing assistance to a lobbyist in exchange for ``things of value.''

Robert E. Coughlin II, who resigned a year ago as deputy chief of staff of the department's criminal division, was charged in a criminal information, which almost always means the defendant has agreed to plead guilty.

Coughlin ``willfully participated personally and substantially as a government officer and employee'' in providing assistance to the lobbyist, according to the criminal information filed today in federal court in Washington. At the same time, he was negotiating a possible job with the lobbyist's firm, the information said.

The lobbyist wasn't identified in court papers. The Associated Press reported today that Coughlin was lobbied during the period in question by Kevin Ring, a member of the team of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Abramoff, once one of Washington's most powerful lobbyists and a major Republican fundraiser, pleaded guilty in January 2006 to federal fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to corrupt public officials. He is cooperating in a U.S. government corruption probe, which has so far resulted in a dozen convictions.

Joshua Berman, Coughlin's lawyer, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.

The case is U.S. v. Coughlin, 08-111, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington).

To contact the reporter on this story: Cary O'Reilly in Washington at caryoreilly@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: April 21, 2008 18:02 EDT