The matter is before U.S. District Judge John Sedwick, who presided over Kohring's trial last year.
Kohring is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of bribery, conspiracy and attempted extortion in November.
Kohring argues that Sedwick should have stepped aside from the case because of long-standing animosity between Kohring and the judge's wife, who served as a state commissioner while he was in the Legislature. He's called her his "worst political rival and enemy."
He says he targeted the state department headed by Deborah Sedwick for big budget cuts, then, in 1999, succeeded in pushing through legislation that eliminated the agency and her job. His attorney has filed press releases, news stories, columns by Kohring, committee meeting minutes and sworn statements.
Prosecutors have scoffed at Kohring's contentions, saying in court papers they have no merit and come too late besides. At any rate, two departments merged and Deborah Sedwick ended up commissioner of the revamped agency, now called the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
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