Connecticut U.S. Attorney Named Chief of Staff for Gonzales

[struggle4progress]

Source: AP

Posted: Tuesday, 10 April 2007 6:57PM

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) -- Kevin O'Connor, Connecticut's top federal prosecutor, was named Tuesday as chief of staff to U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, who is embroiled in controversy over the firings of federal prosecutors. ~snip~

O'Connor was appointed U.S. attorney by President Bush and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2002. In December, O'Connor also began serving in the Justice Department's headquarters as the associate deputy attorney general to oversee violent crime and gang-related policy initiatives.

O'Connor will remain the U.S. attorney for Connecticut, where he has overseen high-profile public corruption prosecutions. He was also involved in the debate over a gag order imposed on four Connecticut librarians who resisted a national security letter ordering them to provide records from a library computer. The gag order -- and the demand for records -- were eventually dropped. ~snip~

However, U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., expressed concern Tuesday about whether O'Connor should have dual roles. ~snip~

Read more: http://1010wins.com/pages/346880.php?contentType=4&contentId=405529

[soothsayer]

1. I'm sure he's thrilled to get dragged into this rat's nest.

[sutz12]

2. Really....first job....you go out there and draw their fire....

:evilgrin:

[struggle4progress]

3. Gonzales Appoints Melanie Ann Pustay as Director of the Office of Information and Privacy

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales Appoints Melanie Ann Pustay as Director of the Office of Information and Privacy

(WebWire) 4/10/2007 5:47:32 PM

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales today appointed Melanie Ann Pustay as Director of the Office of Information and Privacy (OIP). Pustay is a 24-year career civil servant at OIP, starting in the Department in 1983 as an attorney advisor. She has served as Acting Director since January 2007 and replaces Daniel J. Metcalfe as Director.

Pustay manages the Department’s responsibilities related to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which include developing policy guidance and ensuring compliance with the FOIA, responding to initial information requests made to the senior leadership offices, adjudicating all appeals from denials by any Department component under the FOIA, and handling FOIA litigation matters. “Melanie brings more than two decades of highly relevant experience and a record of both accomplishment and leadership to this position,” said Attorney General Gonzales. “OIP and the Department of Justice will continue to benefit from her insight, expertise and dedication to public service. I’m pleased she has agreed to serve in this critical role.”

During her tenure as Acting Director, OIP updated and completed the Department’s March 2007 FOIA Guide, compiled the Department’s report on compliance with Executive Order 13,392, and issued guidance for other agencies on proper reporting. ~snip~

http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=32083

[Toucano]

4. Great. Someone who survived the "loyalty" purge.

No thanks.