Musical Chairs: U.S. Attorneys Head for the Exits
One of the stranger events during our time in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey was when U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie called an all-hands meeting to announce he was NOT resigning to run for governor. It was a bit odd to announce a non-event, but considering all the water-cooler gossip over the possibility, it made sense to squelch the speculation.
Today Chris Christie convened another all-hands meeting, this time with a different message. From the Newark Star-Ledger:
U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie today resigned his post effective December 1. Christie, 46, a leading contender for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, announced his resignation during a staff meeting at 11 a.m. Christie was not available for comment. His office released a copy of his resignation letter [PDF].
A tipster who attended the meeting said that Christie didn’t mention where he’ll be going. One good guess: Republican holiday parties.
Christie served as U.S. Attorney for almost seven years. In the near term, he will probably be replaced by first assistant Ralph Marra, Jr. (as Acting U.S. Attorney). In terms of who might get the nod in the Obama Administration, some mention the politically well-connected Joe Hayden (husband of Judge Katherine Hayden). Others talk about Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow, who previously served as an AUSA in Newark, and who would bring diversity to the table (as an African-American woman).
Today seems to be resignation day for New York area U.S. attorneys. Here’s some S.D.N.Y. news, from the WSJ Law Blog:
[P]eople close to the Southern District of New York U.S. attorney’s office tell the Law Blog that USA Michael Garcia will notify prosecutors of his departure during a 5 p.m. meeting.
That’s in five minutes. If anything unexpected comes out of the meeting, we’ll let you know. Unlike Christie’s, Garcia’s next destination is known: Kirkland & Ellis.
U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie steps down [Newark Star-Ledger]
Christopher J. Christie resignation letter (PDF) [Newark Star-Ledger]
Chris Christie coverage [Politicker - NJ.com]
N.Y. federal prosecutor stepping down [AP]
NJ USA Christie Resigns, SDNY’s Garcia to Announce Resignation Today [WSJ Law Blog]
Earlier: Legal Stars of the New Administration
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Comments
firsTTT
firstie mcfirsterson
PS elie is a faTTTie
THIS IS NOT A LAYOFF POST, DO A LAYOFF POST.
Severn years? Must done be somewhere between eighter and niner.
4:59 - Huh?
"One of the stranger events during our time in the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey...."
Not as strange as the time Lat announced he was the (supposedly female) author of a gossip blog about federal judges:
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/11/21/051121ta_talk_toobin
5:01 - There was a typo - "severn" for "seven" - but Lat fixed it.
I like Christie's resignation letter, where he commends the AG for trying to restore "pride and integrity" to the Justice Department. Nice slap at Gonzalez. Good for him.
5:13 - Nice catch. Maybe it's because Alberto Gonzales considered firing Christie:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/16/AR2007051602874_pf.html
Any links to content revealing Joe Hayden as a possible Obama pick? I clerked for the misses and would love to see him take the nod.
ATL, why not post about mark lanier and scalia hunting together? surely, this is most bizarre legal non sequiter of the day.
5:19, click on the link that goes with "Joe Hayden" in the post. It links to a Politicker NJ article.
Despite being really fat, Christie actually did a great job. Perhaps Elie can take notice and inspiration from a fellow donut eater.
shhhh Mystal is feeding....if you disturb him he will be forced to post again.
All this talk about Bush politicizing the US Attorneys Office...now you're telling me that Obama will appoint these US Attorneys? Am I missing something here?
15: "Am I missing something here?"
A brain, apparently. United States Attorneys are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Bush administration was accused of (a) pressuring USAO's to bring politically motivated prosecutions, and (b) politicizing USAO appointments by judging candidates based on political activity and fundraising rather than merits -- not illegal per se, but not the way those appointments are traditionally handled.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas resigned a couple of weeks ago. He's headed to Fulbright & Jaworski.
16 - "traditionally handled" = liberal speak for "we don't like it." Not illegal means shut your pie hole about it.
10- i summer clerked for the misses and agree that shes phenomenal.
Joe Hayden? For real? Check out that picture, I would NOT accept candy from that guy.
are these us attorney folks sort of like clerks? meaning no one but other us attorneys (and clerks) give a shit about this?
21—http://www.evilesq.com here. U.S. Attorneys are certainly NOT clerks. Becoming a U.S. Attorney is tantamount to being minted a partner at a major law firm. Their primary job is to pick cases that are likely to make the evening news so they can parade around for the cameras. Once they get enough “air time” then they can go into private practice and charge exurbanite rates to defend criminals. Their “severance” is they know who the criminals are before they leave so they can “cherry pick” the best cases. There’s a convoluted maze of rules that “forbid” such behavior but they do it anyway. Just ask Miles Ehrlich, former head of the US Attorney’s San Francisco White Collar Crime division. On May 9, 2005 Ehrlich was informed, by one of several victims, of criminal activity being perpetrated by a “shareholder” of a “prestigious,” “defunking” San Francisco law firm and her cohorts. Instead of directing the FBI to investigate the case, Ehrlich quit the DOJ and set up his own criminal defense practice. One of his first clients was the attorney from the “prestigious,” “defunking” San Francisco law firm. What a coincidence! So in answer to your question, that’s what US Attorneys do. They screw crime victims and enrich themselves in the process.
For more, see http://www.barracapital.com/lawyerdocs/california-bar-complaint-against-miles-ehrlich.html
22-- what a dopey analysis.