Rumor Has It . . .

Some exciting news rumors coming out of the US Attorney’s Office in the District of Maryland:

AUSA Stuart Berman, the Greenbelt Branch Chief, is retiring after many successful years of government service.  It is expected that Stuart will be joining a small law firm in the mid-Atlantic region.

AUSA Peter Nothstein has been detailed to the Senate Judiciary Committee for six months.  Peter just recently received an annual award for excellence in prosecuting violent crime.  See below.

AUSA Mark Crooks doesn’t just prosecute alleged criminals; he chases them too.

And let’s not forget these AUSAs, following the break:

The following awards were announced for accomplishments over the past year:

Gary Jordan Award
Recipient: Joyce K. McDonald

Gary P. Jordan served with distinction for many years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, as First Assistant from March 29, 1987 until his death on October 25, 1996, and as interim U.S. Attorney in 1993. This is an honorary award presented annually to an Assistant U.S. Attorney for exemplary performance that demonstrates the highest traditions of the office: integrity, ingenuity, dedication to public service and fairness.

Barnet D. Skolnik Award
Recipients: Robert R. Harding
Christopher J. Romano

Barnet D. (Barney) Skolnik was an Assistant U.S. Attorney who led teams that prosecuted numerous white collar criminals and corrupt public officials in the 1970s, including Vice President Spiro T. Agnew. This is an honorary award presented annually to one or more Assistant U.S. Attorneys who demonstrate outstanding professionalism, determination and creativity in a case of unusual public significance.

Employee of the Year Award
Recipient: Kathleen Rosier

The Employee of the Year Award recognizes sustained superior performance and outstanding achievements by a non-attorney employee. The award also recognizes the recipient’s professionalism, dedication and comprehensive knowledge in their area of expertise.

Pete Twardowicz Award
Recipients: Michael Aiosa
Richard Henry
Daniel Salak
Dougald Thrutchley

The Pete Twardowicz Award was established in honor of Eugene P. (Pete) Twardowicz, who rendered many years of outstanding service to the U.S. Attorney’s Office as an IRS criminal investigator and a Special Investigator for this Office. This award recognizes law enforcement agents or officers for outstanding cooperation and achievement while working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on a significant case.

Excellence in Civil Advocacy
Recipient: Joseph R. Baldwin

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Civil Advocacy, established in 2007, is presented annually to an Assistant U.S. Attorney for outstanding advocacy in civil litigation.

Excellence in Prosecution of Fraud
Recipients: Jefferson M. Gray
Leo J. Wise

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Prosecution of Fraud, established in 2007, is presented annually to an Assistant U.S. Attorney for outstanding work in prosecuting fraud.

Excellence in Prosecution of Violent Crime
Recipient: Stefan D. Cassella
Peter M. Nothstein

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Prosecution of Violent Crime, established in 2007, is presented annually an Assistant U.S. Attorney for outstanding work in prosecuting violent crime.

Excellence in Prosecution of Organized Crime
Recipient: David I. Salem

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Prosecution of Organized Crime, established in 2007, is presented annually to an Assistant U.S. Attorney for outstanding work in prosecuting organized criminal activity.

Excellence in Legal Support
Recipient: Michelle Wicker

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support, established in 2007, is presented annually to one or more non-attorney employees for outstanding work in support of the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Outstanding Contributions to a Law Enforcement Initiative
Recipient: Rachel M. Yasser

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to a Law Enforcement Initiative, established in 2007, is presented annually to one or more employees for outstanding work in support of an initiative of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

New Employees

In addition, the U.S. Attorney welcomed new employees who joined the office last year. Assistant U.S. Attorneys: Leah Bressack, Kenneth Clark, Kelly Hayes, Jakarra Jones, Scott Lemmon, Peter J. Martinez, Nicholas Mitchell, Seema Mittal, David Sharfstein, Thomas Sullivan, Thomas Windom. Support Staff: Jennifer Mills, Angela Ostrum, Ashley Tyson, Damaris Weeks.