He is a known 'associate' of criminals. [=he is known to associate with criminals; people know that he works with or spends time with criminals]
She was promoted from assistant editor to 'associate' editor and may soon be promoted to senior editor.
He was 'associated' [='connected, identified'] 'with' a group of radicals in the government.
(..) And the Remsens, about whom it was said had stayed a week in Berlin at the home of Adolf Hitler. And of course, there are any number of colorful associates of Ben's, some of whom were destined to end up on the front pages of the tabloids, reeking blood on the side walk due to cranial ventilation. (..)2016 Café Society