Sessions uses executive authority to appoint interim U.S. attorneys
by JONATHAN DIENST and TRACY CONNOR
With a deadline looming, Attorney General Jeff Sessions is using executive authority to name 17 interim U.S. attorneys in cities from coast to coast.
Seven of the prosecutors have been serving as acting U.S. attorneys since President Donald Trump axed dozens of the lead federal prosecutors in March, but there's a 300-day limit on that status. The other 10 will replace current acting prosecutors, who get bounced back to their old jobs.
....
In New York, for instance, Sen. Charles Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand approve of the administration's choice for the Eastern District, former prosecutor Richard Donoghue, a source familiar with the process said. But they have not given a thumbs-up to its preferred candidate for the Southern District, Geoffrey Berman, who is Rudolph Giuliani's law partner, the source said.
If confirmed, Berman would fill the vacancy left when Preet Bharara was fired after refusing to resign. Bharara's deputy, Joon Kim, has been serving as acting U.S. attorney but will now step aside for Berman to take over as interim.
Berman was a federal prosecutor for four years in the 1990s. His then-boss, Mary Jo White, said he "was a star" in her office.
"I tried to talk him into staying — he was that good — but he went into the private sector. And ever since, he’s had a terrific reputation," she said.
The districts where Sessions made interim appointments include New Jersey, where the nod went to Craig Carpenito, who represented Gov. Chris Christie during the Bridgegate scandal.
more:
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sessions-uses-executive-authority-appoint-interim-u-s-attorneys-n834446
DO SOMETHING!
| 
