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.
(..) Which, sure as you're born, they will do. Unless I stop them. Do you want me to stop them? Is this something I can't do personally? I'm gonna have my associate search you. No one's searching me. Search me for what? Contra-fucking-band. Take your shoes off. Shoes. (..)2006 The Departed