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A6 U.S. NEWS
Monday 13 March 2017
Abrupt dismissals spark turmoil among federal prosecutors
SADIE GURMAN “It’s very, very gut-level became an assistant U.S.
Associated Press reaction,” said Steven attorney in that office in
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two Schleicher, a former pros- 1980. Another, Richard S.
days before Attorney Gen- ecutor who left Minne- Hartunian of the Northern
eral Jeff Sessions ordered sota U.S. Attorney Andrew District of New York, joined
dozens of the country’s Luger’s office in January the Justice Department in
top federal prosecutors to and was still in contact with the 1990s.
clean out their desks, he people there. “All of these U.S. attorneys
gave those political ap- The request for resignations know they serve at the
pointees a pep talk during from the 46 prosecutors pleasure of the president.
a conference call. who were holdovers from No one complains about
The seemingly abrupt the Obama administration that,” said John Walsh, an
about-face Friday left the wasn’t shocking. It’s fairly Obama-era appointee as
affected U.S. attorneys customary for the 93 U.S. at- U.S. attorney in Colorado
scrambling to brief the torneys to leave their posts who resigned in July. “But
people left behind and say In this Sept. 17, 2015 file photo, U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara once a new president is in it was handled in a way
goodbye to colleagues. It speaks during a news conference in New York. office, and many had al- that was disrespectful to
also could have an impact Associated Press ready left or were making the U.S. attorneys because
on morale for the career process. The quick exits gave U.S. attorneys little plans for their departures. they were almost treated
prosecutors who now must aren’t expected to have time to prepare deputies Sessions himself was asked as though they had done
pick up the slack, accord- a major impact on ongo- who will take over until suc- to resign as a U.S. attorney something wrong, when in
ing to some close to the ing prosecutions, but they cessors are named. in a similar purge by Attor- fact they had not.”
ney General Janet Reno in Peter Neronha, who had
1993. But the abrupt nature served since 2009 as U.S.
of the dismissals — done attorney for Rhode Island,
with little explanation and said even before Friday he
had been preparing for his
not always with the cus- eventual departure and
tomary thanks for years of had written a resignation
service — stunned and an- statement to be released
gered some of those left upon his exit. He said he
behind in offices around knew his time was limited
the country. but had been eager to stay
Former prosecutors, friends on to see through a major
and colleagues immedi- public corruption prosecu-
ately started reaching out tion and to speak with stu-
to each other on a grow- dents about the perils of
ing email chain to express opioid addiction.
condolences and support, “When that was done, I
commiserating about how was going to go anyway
unfair they felt the situation — whether I got 24 hours’
was. One U.S. attorney was notice, or two weeks’ no-
out of state on Friday and tice, or two months’ notice.
was forced to say good- It doesn’t really matter,”
bye to his office by a blast Neronha said. Whenever
email, said Tim Purdon, a there’s a change in presi-
former U.S. attorney from dential administration, he
North Dakota who was in- said, “I think it would be un-
cluded on the email chain. wise not to be ready.”
Shop Crocs at: Some of those ousted were It’s not clear why the Jus-
Amito longtime prosecutors who tice Department asked the
prosecutors to exit so quick-
had spent their careers
Caya Betico Croes 10 coming up through the ly. Sessions gave no warn-
Aruba ranks of the Justice Depart- ing during the Wednesday
Tel: +297 582 3797 ment. John W. Vaudreuil, conference call in which
he articulated his agenda
U.S. attorney for the West-
ern District of Wisconsin, for fighting violent crime.q
