Search Is On for Russoniello's Replacement (If Needed)

Should Legal Pad’s editor ever pull us aside and say management would be accepting applications to replace us — but, don’t worry, we weren’t being asked to quit — we might still feel a little, um, doomed. Thus line assistants should tread lightly around Northern District U.S. Attorney Joseph Russoniello this week, because Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer will release a statement, perhaps as early as tomorrow, soliciting applications for the U.S. attorney slots throughout the state, according to two people familiar with the situation.

It’s a delicate maneuver: the Obama administration didn’t want to sweep away every U.S. attorney around the country at once, and it very much wants to avoid the allegations that plagued George W. Bush and Alberto Gonzalez (check out this Washington Post piece for the broad strokes). So sources tell us that instead of asking Russoniello and Los Angeles top prosecutor Thomas O’Brien to resign, the senators will unleash their vetting committees to find a successor — “should” there be a vacancy.

This word-smithing — which was developed in conjunction with the administration, we’re told — allows Russoniello and O’Brien to continue on while the senators hold their beauty contest for a replacement. Boxer is slated to pick a Northern District nominee, while Feinstein will get the Central. We’re sure the senators will be oh so understanding if they and their people devote hours of work to finding a successor, only to have the administration decide it wants to stick with Russoniello after all.

Russoniello didn’t immediately respond to an email.

—  Dan Levine

Comments

[Warpe Wistfull]

Russonello, and his politically ambitious sidekick David Anderson, are a disgrace. They are not interested in bringing white collar cases - at a time when we so need prosecution of white collar crooks. All they want to do is sit around and talk about "metrics" and "priorities." Talk talk talk. All talk. No action. No cases. Its as if they think that Russonello can talk his way into staying as US attorney, and Anderson can talk his way into the judgeship he so desperately wants. Where is the leadership in the Northern District????

[convert mp4 to wmv]

sure he didn't respond
I agree with the author of the article. The situation isn't pretty
______
Jack L.