Individuals Involved in the Fight in the War on Terror, Along with Prosecutors
and Investigators of La Cosa Nostra and the Winter Hill Gang Receive Top
Awards
WASHINGTON, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 176 Justice Department
employees--along with 21 other individuals, many of whom are federal employees
and law enforcement officers--were honored today at the Department's 52nd
Annual Awards Ceremony at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
Attorney General John Ashcroft presented the Department's highest award,
The Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service, to two outstanding teams
for their efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime. Twelve
investigators and analysts were awarded for their critical efforts in the war
on terror. Fifteen members of La Cosa Nostra and the Winter Hill Gang
investigation and prosecution team were honored for their vision,
determination, and persistence which led to the simultaneous removal of the
New England Family leadership of La Cosa Nostra and the equally powerful
Winter Hill Gang; the successful prosecution of 20 murders; the recovery of
six murder victims' remains; the forfeiture of over $7.5 million; and sweeping
revisions to the Department's Confidential Informant Guidelines.
"It is a great privilege to honor the award recipients this year who have
fought tirelessly to preserve life, liberty and justice for all Americans.
From battling the war on terrorism to dismantling organized crime rings, the
work of these individuals has made our communities and neighborhoods more
safe," said Attorney General John Ashcroft. "America owes a debt of gratitude
to these men and women. Their determination and hard work is extraordinary,
and I am proud to honor them for their service."
The recipients of the Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service
from the Terrorism Team include:
From the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dallas Division -- Mark J.
Huber, James S. Kendall, Roger A. Fowler, Robert Miranda, Deborah L.
Trickey, Special Agents; and Sean M. Joyce, Supervisory Special Agent;
Counterterrorism Division -- Aubrey B. Farrar, Sr., Supervisory Special
Agent; Angel A. Burnette and Rebecca S. Tait-Sleeter, Intelligence
Analysts; Arthur M. Cummings, II, Section Chief; and Joseph M. Demarest,
Jr., Assistant Section Chief; Washington Field Office -- Michael J.
Heimbach, Assistant Special Agent in Charge.
The recipients of the Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service
from La Cosa Nostra and the Winter Hill Gang Investigation and Prosecution
Team include:
From the District of Massachusetts -- Fred M. Wyshak, Jr., Brian T.
Kelly, Samuel W. Buell, Colin G.K. Owyang, Richard L. Hoffman, and James
D. Herbert, Assistant U.S. Attorneys; from the District of Connecticut --
John H. Durham and Leonard C. Boyle, Assistant U.S. Attorneys; from the
Criminal Division -- Cynthia Shepherd Torg, Trial Attorney, Organized
Crime and Racketeering Section; from the Drug Enforcement Administration
--Daniel M. Doherty, Special Agent, New England Field Division; from the
Massachusetts State Police -- Colonel Thomas J. Foley, Major Thomas B.
Duffy, and Lieutenant Stephen P. Johnson; and from the Internal Revenue
Service -- David J. Lazarus and Sandra J. Lemansky, Special Agents,
Boston Field Office.
The Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Heroism recognizes an
extraordinary act of courage and voluntary risk of life during the performance
of official duties. While attempting to conduct a routine search of a
cooperating defendant's residence in Saginaw, Michigan, Special Agent Tyler J.
Kruse of the Drug Enforcement Administration, St. Louis Division, Omaha
District Office, was shot three times and engaged one of the gunmen in a
violent hand-to-hand confrontation. For his remarkable courage in defending
his own life and the life of Detective Michael Cohee during a drug
investigation, Special Agent Kruse was awarded the Attorney General's
Exceptional Heroism Award.
The Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award recognizes employees who have
served at least 20 years in the Department and who have demonstrated high
standards of excellence and dedication throughout their careers. Dennis P.
Kissane, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Western District of Pennsylvania, received
the Mary C. Lawton Lifetime Service Award for his exceptional career legal
accomplishments and dedication to the pursuit of justice. During the past 20
years of service to the Department, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kissane has
prosecuted a substantial number of significant cases ranging from motorcycle
gang cases involving dangerous drugs to white collar fraud cases involving
check counterfeiting, money laundering, and health care abuses.
The Attorney General also awarded the William French Smith Award for
Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement, an honorary award
granted to recognize state and local law enforcement officials who have made
significant contributions to cooperative law enforcement endeavors. For his
outstanding liaison, leadership, and investigative skills on the Chicago Joint
Terrorism Task Force, Sergeant Fred Ronald Wheat of the Chicago Police
Department received the William French Smith Award for Outstanding
Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement.
Janak Dhabuwala, Manager of the Quality Inn located in West Springfield,
Massachusetts, received the Attorney General's Award for Meritorious Public
Service, the top public service award granted by the Department of Justice.
Janak Dhabuwala was honored for his courageous assistance in the apprehension
of Carlos Rivera, an armed sexual predator who was wanted on a parole
violation. Mr. Dhabuwala recognized Carlos Rivera from a photo when he
checked into the Quality Inn and contacted the Marshals Service to inform it
of Rivera's location.
The Department's second highest award is the Attorney General's Award for
Distinguished Service. Thirteen Distinguished Service Awards were presented
this year.
Among the various recipients, this award was given to a team of
individuals who are credited with disrupting and dismantling the Iraqi
Intelligence Service and their agents in the United States. The totality and
scope of these investigations is unprecedented. The following individuals from
the Federal Bureau of Investigation were awarded the Attorney General's Award
for Distinguished Service:
Counterintelligence Division -- Mark P. Colgan, Unit Chief; New York
Field Office -- Khaimraj Y. Bhagwandin, Patrick S. Carnahan, Charles E.
Berger, Amy M. Kaskel, Kathy Lynn Koenig, Duane K. Kuizema, Mark E.
Munster, Nicholas Panagakos, Kevin G. Riordan, Dina M. Thompson, Ian B.
Vabnick, Special Agents; and Elizabeth Gallagher, Supervisory Special
Agent; Kansas City Office -- Shawn W. Stroud, Supervisory Senior Resident
Agent; Counterterrorism Division -- Christine Ungar, Intelligence
Analyst.
This award was also given to the Missouri River Trial Team for their
exceptional accomplishments throughout intense trial and appellate proceedings
over the last three years to fend off attempts by various interests to have
the courts, rather than the Corps of Engineers, run the system of dams on the
Missouri River. The following members of the Missouri River Trial Team were
awarded the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service:
From the Environment and Natural Resources Division, General Litigation
Section -- Fred R. Disheroon, Special Litigation Counsel; Caroline
Blanco, Trial Attorney; Wildlife and Marine Resources Section -- Seth M.
Barsky, Assistant Chief; James A. Maysonett, Adam D. Issenberg, and Jimmy
A. Rodriguez, Trial Attorneys; Appellate Section-Andrew C. Mergen,
Assistant Chief; Robert H. Oakley, Trial Attorney; Environmental Defense
Section--Daniel W. Pinkston, Trial Attorney; Law and Policy Section --
Paul S. Weiland, Trial Attorney; and from the U.S. Attorneys Office in
the District of Minnesota -- Joan D. Humes and David G. Wilhelm,
Assistant U.S. Attorneys.
Paris A. Gillete, Special Agent, Chattanooga Field Office, Federal Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, was also awarded the Attorney
General's Award for Distinguished Service for his heroic sacrifice in the
arrest of a notorious drug dealer, Terry Penny. In the process of conducting
a search at Penny's residence, Special Agent Gillette was severely wounded and
lost his sight in one eye after being shot in the head at close range.
Special Agent Gillette put his own personal well being aside to uphold the
duty he was sworn to do. In doing so, he took a dangerous criminal off the
streets.
Also receiving the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service was
Paul M. Herrup, Trial Attorney, Office of Foreign Litigation, Commercial
Litigation Branch, Civil Division. Mr. Herrup was honored for his exceptional
and sustained performance representing the interests of the United States in
some of the most sensitive foreign cases in which the government has an
interest. Specifically, Mr. Herrup played a critical role in crafting the
overall successful prosecution strategy which resulted in the conviction of 15
members from the 17 November terrorist organization.
For his exemplary judgment and superior management skills, Joseph H. Hunt,
Director, Federal Programs Branch, Civil Division, also received the Attorney
General's Award for Distinguished Service. Mr. Hunt has demonstrated an
outstanding ability to coordinate among Department officials and federal
agency clients in seeking to develop the appropriate litigation position of
the United States in matters handled by the Federal Programs Branch.
Also awarded the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service was
Robert M. Jackson, teacher at the Federal Correctional Institution in
Greenville, Illinois, Federal Bureau of Prisons, for his role in preventing a
hostage situation at the Institution. Mr. Jackson took quick actions to
successfully disarm an inmate who was holding a weapon to the throat of
another staff member and attempting to take her hostage. Mr. Jackson's
responsiveness in a potentially fatal and dangerous situation demonstrates his
ability to independently and decisively take corrective action. His actions
exemplify the highest standards of excellence.
The Attorney General also presented the Distinguished Service Award to
members of the Philadelphia Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force for their
exceptional record. In 2003 alone, the U.S. Marshals Service's Philadelphia
Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, arrested
880 violent fugitives, 83 of which were wanted for homicide. The recipients
from the Philadelphia Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force included: Dennis E.
Matulewicz, Chief Deputy; Robert Douglas Denney, Stephen Quinn, and John J.
Patrignani, Supervisory Deputies; William J. Plitt, Jr., Supervisory
Inspector; Kanti Somani, Dennis T. O'Brien, and Robert K. Kurtz, Jr., Senior
Criminal Investigators; Michael A. Garwood, Senior Inspector; and Patricia E.
Polichetti, Intelligence Analyst.
For their roles in successfully representing the United States and
formulating new strategies in cases regarding the Internal Revenue Service
investigation into the roles of major public accounting firms and law firms in
promoting abusive tax shelters, the Attorney General awarded the Distinguished
Service Award to the following individuals from the Tax Division:
Civil Trial Section, Northern Region -- Deborah S. Meland, Assistant
Section Chief, and John A. Lindquist, III, Trial Attorney; Civil Trial
Section, Eastern Region -- Stuart D. Gibson, Trial Attorney; Appellate
Section -- Frank P. Cihlar, Reviewer.
Patricia A. Millet, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Office of the
Solicitor General, also received the Distinguished Service Award for her
exemplary role in representing the United States before the Supreme Court.
Her ability to articulate clearly and powerfully the government's position has
been a principal factor in the Department's success in numerous major cases.
The following individuals were awarded the Attorney General's
Distinguished Service Award for their exceptional and meticulous prosecutorial
effort in the investigation and conviction of Dwight D. York:
Richard S. Moultrie, Jr., Assistant U.S. Attorney, Middle District of
Georgia; Stephanie D. Thacker, Trial Attorney, Child Exploitation and
Obscenity Section, Criminal Division; Jalaine G. Ward, and Joan J.
Cronier, Special Agents, Atlanta Division, Federal Bureau of
Investigation; and Sheriff Howard R. Sills, Putnam County, Georgia.
For his career contributions to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern
District of New York, Joseph A. Pavone, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, also
received the Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award. During his
distinguished career, Mr. Pavone has been a loyal and trusted adviser to five
U.S. Attorneys and a respected supervisor and mentor for dozens of Assistant
U.S. Attorneys.
The Attorney General awarded the Distinguished Service Award to the
following individuals for their exceptional service in the investigation, pre-
trial litigation, preparation, and trial presentation of the cases resulting
from Operation Millennium, which produced the convictions of 34 of the highest
level narcotics traffickers and money launderers in the world, including Fabio
Ochoa, former kingpin of the Medellin Cartel:
Edward R. Ryan, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Western District of North
Carolina; Ricardo A. Del Toro, Emily M. Smachetti, and Richard D.
Gregorie, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Southern District of Florida; and
Glenn C. Alexander, Trial Attorney, Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section,
Criminal Division.
Also receiving the Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award were
members of the U.S. Marshals Service's Justice Prisoner and Alien
Transportation System Flight Team:
Lawrence D. Yeo, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal; Betti Michelle Lentz,
Kimberly A. Heath, and Brooks P. Howard, Aviation Enforcement Officers.
The team members were recognized for their courageous actions and
exemplary performance in the safe and rapid evacuation of 101 federal
prisoners and 22 crew members during an aircraft emergency at the O'Hare
International Airport.
The Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement recognizes
outstanding professional achievements by law enforcement officers of the
Department. Two Excellence in Law Enforcement Awards were presented this
year.
For her discovery of and investigation into an illegal firearms
trafficking operation, Pamela J. Bradley, Special Agent, Miami Field Division,
Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, was awarded the
Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement. Through her
tenacious fact-finding mission and expert interviewing skills, she revealed a
plot whereby a federal firearms licensee, a straw purchaser, and Columbian
nationals were selling and buying weapons. Special Agent Bradley played a
major role in the three-day undercover operation, in which all parties were
arrested.
Also receiving the Attorney General's Excellence in Law Enforcement Award
were the following individuals who vigilantly sought to reduce the sale of
methamphetamine:
From the Drug Enforcement Administration -- Gregory V. Conners, James A.
Gomez, and Scott R. Pagel, Special Agents, Los Angeles Division; James L.
Jones and Joseph B. Schihl, Special Agents, Chicago Division; James J.
Loring, Special Agent, Canada Country Office, Ottowa; Debra A. Lynch,
Special Agent, Detroit Division; James M. McGill, Special Agent, New
Orleans Division; Michael D. Menzer, Special Agent, New York Division;
from the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department -- Carlos Robles, Task Force
Agent, San Bernardino, California; from the Birmingham Police Department
-- Jerry V. Hall, Task Force Agent, Birmingham, Michigan; and from the
Oak Lawn Police Department -- Daniel J. Foley, Task Force Agent, Oak
Lawn, Illinois. As a result of the outstanding work of this team, an
internationally coordinated takedown occurred on April 15, 2003, charging
Formulex, a Canadian chemical company, and individuals from the United
States and Canada with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
The Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Management recognizes
outstanding administrative or managerial achievements which have significantly
improved operations, productivity, or reduced costs. This year's recipient
was Deana M.C. Willis, Assistant Director, Office of Attorney Recruitment and
Management, for her outstanding leadership in the development and management
of the Department's newly-created Attorney Student Loan Repayment Program.
The Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Information Technology
recognizes achievements in applying information technology to improve
operations and productivity, reduce or avoid costs, and solve problems. The
Information Technology Upgrade Team members were recognized for their
outstanding service to state and local criminal justice practitioners by
providing significantly upgraded technological infrastructure and business
systems. The following members of the team from the Office of Justice
Programs were honored: Roy E. Blocher and Robert J. Pietropaoli, Supervisory
Information Technology Specialists; Dewey F. Bullard, Jr., Herbert L. Cares,
Jr., Donna M. Kucia, Lawrence U. Laws, Jr., Betty A. Layne, Joseph E. Malloy,
Sonya D. Marbury, Mahendra S. Patel, Michael F. Quinn, Jae H. Shim, and
Jonathan Washington, Information Technology Specialists; Jay W. Hoover, Web
Manager; and from the Office of the Chief Information Officer--David L.
Zeppieri, Chief Information Officer.
The Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interests of
U.S. National Security was awarded to two individuals for their dedicated work
towards national security. Patrick F. Philbin, Associate Deputy Attorney
General in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General, was awarded for his work
in developing the Department's legal position on a number of sensitive matters
of critical importance to national security in the War on Terror. Rachel L.
Brand, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal
Policy, was honored for her sustained efforts to improve the Department's
policies related to counterterrorism and counterintelligence investigations.
The Attorney General's Award for Equal Employment Opportunity is the
Department's highest award for performance in support of the Equal Employment
Opportunity program. This year's award was presented to Debra L. Salters,
Education Specialist, Federal Correctional Institution in Florence, Colorado,
Federal Bureau of Prisons, for the exceptional results she achieved while
working as an Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor.
The Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Legal Support recognizes
outstanding achievements in the field of legal support to attorneys by
paralegal specialists and other legal assistants. This year's recipient of
the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Legal Support in the Paralegal
Category was Jessica J. Bluebond-Langner, Paralegal, Counterterrorism Section,
Criminal Division, for her work in preparing a presentation on the USA PATRIOT
Act which advanced the Department's primary goal of preventing terrorism and
promoting national security. In addition, Lawan D. Robinson, Confidential
Assistant to the Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, was
awarded the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Legal Support in the
Legal Assistance Category, for her extraordinary assistance to the Office of
Legal Counsel in confronting the challenges following the terrorist attacks of
September 11th.
The Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Administrative Support
recognizes outstanding performance in administrative or managerial support by
an administrative employee or secretary.
In the Administrative Category, Thomas W. Lee, Supply Management Officer,
New York Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, was honored for his
numerous contributions during his 38 years of service with the Federal Bureau
of Investigation. During the past 20 years, Mr. Lee has coordinated,
administered, and managed the construction, renovation, and relocation of all
six New York Resident Agencies, 12 miles of closed files, the largest evidence
response team facility, and also doubled the size of the main office.
Concurrent with these projects, Mr. Lee provided investigative support related
to TWA Flight 800, Egypt Air Flight 990, and the crisis response following the
events of September 11th.
In the Secretarial Category, Lori J. Iorg, Criminal Clerk, District of New
Mexico, U.S. Marshals Service, was recognized for devising and implementing a
new prisoner processing system that is currently saving her district
approximately $270,000 a month. By working with her supervisors and
colleagues in the U.S. Marshals Service and with the Federal Bureau of
Prisons, Ms. Iorg shortened the time prisoners are in the Service's custody
from an average of 64 days to an average of 25 days, and is still working to
lower that average.
The John Marshall Award is the Department's highest award presented to
attorneys for contributions and excellence in legal performance. The nine
categories include:
Trial of Litigation, Participation in Litigation, Support of Litigation,
Handling of Appeals, Providing Legal Advice, Preparation and Handling of
Legislation, Asset Forfeiture, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and
Interagency Cooperation in Support of Litigation.
The John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation was presented to two
outstanding teams. The members of the Civil Division's Bipartisan Campaign
Reform Act litigation team were recognized for their extraordinary performance
in defending the constitutionality of this important congressional initiative.
In McConnell v. Federal Election Commission, a group of plaintiffs challenged
the constitutionality of various provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform
Act. Working under severe time pressure, the team consistently displayed
remarkable skill and dedication in this very complex, highly visible, and
precedent-making litigation. The members include:
Theodore C. Hirt, Assistant Director; James J. Gilligan, Terry M. Henry,
and Rupa Bhattacharyya, Senior Counsels; Andrea M. Gacki, Trial Attorney;
Serrin A. Turner, Marc L. Kesselman, and John G. Knepper, Former Trial
Attorneys, Federal Programs Branch; Douglas N. Letter, Appellate
Litigation Counsel; Michael S. Raab, Special Counsel; Dana J. Martin,
Irene M. Solet, and Ara B. Gershengorn, Trial Attorneys, Appellate Staff.
The John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation was also awarded to the
following individuals from the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Northern District
of Alabama:
Robert O. Posey, Assistant U.S. Attorney; Donald Q. Cochran, Former
Assistant U.S. Attorney; and R. Jeffrey Wallace, Special Assistant U.S.
Attorney. This team was honored for their outstanding work in the trials
of two former Ku Klux Klansmen for the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street
Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and the deaths of four little
girls. These recipients were honored for their extraordinary
contributions in the trials of defendants Bobby Frank Cherry and Thomas
Edwin Blanton, Jr. Their dedication in pursuing the prosecution of this
thirty-seven year old crime resulted in bringing to justice those
responsible for one of the most notorious terrorist attacks in American
history.
The John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation was presented to
Gregg A. Maisel, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Columbia; and Jennifer
E. Levy, Trial Attorney, Counterterrorism Section, Criminal Division, for
their outstanding work on the sentencing of Zaid Hassan Abd Latif Safarini, a
terrorist responsible for the kidnapping and murder of numerous individuals in
connection with the 1986 hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan.
Also awarded the John Marshall Award for Participation in Litigation was
Robert W. Sadowski, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York,
for his outstanding dedication, diligence, and professional skill in
negotiating a ground-breaking agreement that requires the Shubert
Organization, the owners and operators of 16 landmark Broadway theaters, to
make their theaters accessible to people with disabilities in compliance with
the Americans Disabilities Act.
The following individuals were awarded the John Marshall Award for Support
of Litigation for the investigation and prosecution of United States v. Rhodia
Inc.:
From the Environment and Natural Resources Division -- Daniel W. Dooher,
Senior Trial Attorney, Environmental Crimes Section; from the District of
Montana -- Kris A. McLean and Mark Steger Smith, Assistant U.S.
Attorneys; and from the Criminal Division -- Martha A. Woelfle, Trial
Attorney, Organized Crime and Racketeering Section. Their work resolved
an extraordinarily complex hazardous waste criminal case, ensuring the
health and well-being of the public, and resulting in the largest
criminal environmental fine in the history of the District of Montana and
one of the largest fines ever in such a case.
Also receiving the John Marshall Award for Support of Litigation were
Jonathan L. Marcus and John A. Drennan, Trial Attorneys, Appellate Section,
Criminal Division. In the period since the terrorist attacks of September
11th, Jonathan L. Marcus and John A. Drennan have spent countless hours
writing draft briefs in several of the most important terrorism cases. Their
efforts have been focused on the enemy combatant cases, the prosecution of
Zacarias Moussaoui, and litigation under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance
Act.
Receiving the John Marshall Award for Handling of Appeals were Ellen J.
Durkee, Trial Attorney, Appellate Section, Environment and Natural Resources
Division, and Robert M. Loeb, Special Appellate Counsel, Appellate Staff,
Civil Division. Ms. Durkee was honored for her career legal accomplishments,
having worked extensively in nearly every area touched on by the Environment
and Natural Resources Division, including forest and land management issues,
criminal environmental prosecutions, and wildlife and fisheries protection.
Mr. Loeb was recognized for his many litigation successes and contributions to
the development of public law.
For his active and sustained efforts to improve Department policies in
connection with counterterrorism and counterintelligence investigations,
Matthew B. Berry, Senior Counsel, Office of Legal Policy, was awarded the John
Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice. His work is a credit to the
Department and undoubtedly has had a tremendous impact in furthering the
interests of national security of the United States.
The following individuals from the Antitrust Division were awarded the
John Marshall Award for Providing Legal Advice:
From the Telecommunications and Media Section -- Nancy M. Goodman, Chief,
Laury E. Bobbish, Supervisory Trial Attorney, Luin P. Fitch, Jr., Carl
Willner, Brent E. Marshall, and Lauren J. Fishbein, Trial Attorneys; from
the Legal Policy Section -- Frances E. Marshall, Attorney Advisor; and
from the Foreign Commerce Section -- Cynthia Lewis Lagdameo, Trial
Attorney. These recipients, through their leadership, dedication, and
exceptionally detailed and sound advice to the Federal Communications
Commission, have played a crucial role in helping to develop an
environment conducive to the development of competition as envisioned by
Congress in passing the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
The John Marshall Award for Preparation and Handling of Legislation was
presented to Ronnie L. Edelman, Deputy Chief for Policy, Legislation, and
Planning, Counterterrorism Section, Criminal Division, for her outstanding
effort and leadership in establishing effective counterterrorism legislation
and developing procedures for the investigation of counterterrorism crimes.
As one of the most active and incisive members of the Criminal Division, Ms.
Edelman is richly deserving of this award for the extensive work she has done
in drafting and amending legislation to ensure that those who would commit
terrorist acts can be fully prosecuted under U.S. law.
The John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture was presented to two
outstanding individuals for their dedication, diligence, and professional
skill in the investigation of and civil forfeiture action against Sawan
Exchange Company, an operator of an underground money transfer service
headquartered in Dubai that arranged for the unregulated transfer of millions
of dollars from the United States to Iran. The efforts of Daniel S. Ruzumna
and Daniel R. Margolis, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Southern District of New
York, resulted in a forfeiture settlement of $1.5 million.
The John Marshall Award for Alternative Dispute Resolution was awarded to
Peter C. Monson, Assistant Section Chief, Indian Resources Section,
Environment and Natural Resources Division, for his successful resolution of
the federal water rights claims and Endangered Species Act issues in the Snake
River Basin Adjudication.
The John Marshall Award for Interagency Cooperation in Support of
Litigation was awarded to Carol L. Matsunaga, Associate Counsel, Defense
Contract Management Agency, U.S. Department of Defense, for her
extraordinarily dedicated, skillful support of the Department in a five-year
cost mischarging litigation against TRW. Among other things, she helped the
Government prove its damages, preserve its anti-fraud rights administratively,
obtain favorable administrative decisions, and respond to TRW's discovery.
Leonard Schaitman, Assistant Director, Appellate Staff, Civil Division,
was awarded the Attorney General's Award for Outstanding Service in Freedom of
Information Act Administration. Mr. Schaitman is an exceptionally dedicated
attorney who has played an important role in shaping the law's development
from the very outset and has served the public in protecting both governmental
and private interests in highly sensitive federal records. Indeed, over his
38-year career as a litigating attorney, supervisor, mentor, and source of
litigation advice and counsel, Mr. Schaitman has had a greater impact on the
development of FOIA case law than anyone else in the Act's history to date.
The Attorney General's Award for Fraud Prevention recognizes exceptional
dedication and efforts to prevent, investigate, and prosecute fraud and white
collar crimes.
For their dedicated work on the Rite Aid corporate fraud case the
following individuals were recipients of the Attorney General's Award for
Fraud Prevention:
From the U.S. Attorneys Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania -- Martin
C. Carlson, First Assistant U.S. Attorney; Kim Douglas Daniel, and George
J. Rocktashel, Assistant U.S. Attorneys; from the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, Philadelphia Division -- David Clark and Donna L.
Kanaskie, Special Agents; Connie L. Kegerreis, Financial Analyst; and
from the Securities and Exchange Commission -- Scott B. York, Senior
Staff Accountant. It is these types of successful corporate fraud
prosecutions that will allow for the restoration of the investing
public's trust in our financial markets and serve as a deterrent to
others who would attempt to defraud investors.
For detecting and ending a complex scheme to falsely implicate the Special
Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Detroit Field
Division in tipping off drug traffickers, the following individuals received
the Attorney General's Award for Fraud Prevention:
From the Criminal Division, Public Integrity Section -- Noel L. Hillman,
Chief; Daniel A. Schwager and Kartik K. Raman, Trial Attorneys; from the
Eastern District of Michigan -- Joseph J. Allen, Assistant U.S. Attorney;
from the Federal Bureau of Investigation -- Michael W. Haynie, Special
Agent, Detroit Field Office; from the Office of the Inspector General,
Investigations Division -- Edward M. Dyner, Special Agent in Charge; John
F. Oleskowicz, Assistant Special Agent in Charge; Nicholas A. Fabregas,
Nicholas V. Candela, Victor M. Gryniewicz, Kenneth R. Connaughton, Jr.,
and Bridget L. Mohler, Special Agents; and from the Dearborn Police
Department -- Corporal James Keefer, Dearborn, Michigan. This team's
investigation led to a quick exoneration of the Special Agent in Charge
and the arrest of the informant and his co- conspirators.
The Attorney General's Award for Outstanding Contributions to Community
Partnerships for Public Safety recognizes achievement in the development and
support of community partnerships designed to address public safety within a
community. This year's recipients include:
Larry C. Marx, Chief Investigator, State Bureau of Investigations, Utah
Department of Public Safety; John W. Huber, Special Assistant U.S.
Attorney, District of Utah; Jeffrey P. Sarnacki, Resident Agent in
Charge, Salt Lake Field Office, Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms, and Explosives; and Lynette W. Gurr, Member, Utah Project for
Safe Neighborhoods Task Force. The Utah Project for Safe Neighborhoods
Task Force was honored for its success in building extraordinary
partnerships with law enforcement officers and prosecutors, Weed and Seed
programs, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, schools
and youth, and victim advocates to address gun violence throughout Utah.
The Cubby Dorsey Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Wage Grade
System Employee recognizes extraordinary performance and contributions by wage
grade system employees, including laborers, mechanics, and skilled craft
workers. This year's recipient was Carlos Cruz, Automated Worker Supervisor,
Federal Correctional Institution in Bastrop, Texas, Federal Bureau of Prisons.
For the past 25 years, Mr. Cruz has provided his expertise and experience to
the Federal Bureau of Prisons in a commendable manner. During the past year,
Mr. Cruz's dedication and outstanding performance significantly contributed to
the success of the Unicor factory at the Institution.
The Attorney General also awarded the Attorney General's Award for
Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee to Leonard J. DePasquale,
Assistant U.S. Trustee, Providence, Rhode Island, and Dr. Lois A. Tully,
Physical Scientist, National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.
Mr. DePasquale was awarded for his tremendous accomplishments in taking over
an office that had been without on-site management for a number of years and
consequently had not contributed to civil enforcement efforts. In just 20
months, he has obtained results totaling $45.5 million in non-discharged debt.
Dr. Tully was honored for her contributions in promoting excellence in
forensic science research. She has worked vigorously to facilitate the
execution and successful completion of projects funded by the Department and
has fostered collaborations with private sector companies and professional
associations.
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