The Justice Department has dropped its investigation of a former top aide to Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) who came under scrutiny during the wide-ranging influence peddling probe centered on ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his associates.

Federal investigators will not bring charges against Kevin Koonce, who worked as Gregg’s legislative director from 2002 to 2004 before leaving Capitol Hill, his attorney said Thursday.

“They indicated that they are declining prosecution and they are closing the case,— said Josh Berman, an attorney at the firm Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal.

Koonce was identified in February as the anonymous “Staffer F— described in a plea agreement entered in January by former Abramoff deputy Todd Boulanger.

In that plea agreement, Boulanger alleged Koonce accepted more than $10,000 in gifts including tickets to baseball and hockey games, as well as meals and drinks at the now-defunct Signatures restaurant.

“We certainly feel Mr. Koonce is entitled to … an apology. He hasn’t received one,— Berman added. “Because of the allegations that found their way into Todd Boulanger’s charging documents, unfortunately Mr. Koonce lost his job and suffered greatly because of the government’s actions.—

Koonce had most recently worked at Sorini, Samet & Associates, where he served as senior director of government affairs.