Attorney General Gonzales Appoints Johnny Sutton and Susan Brooks to Lead Attorney General's Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys

29 March 2006

Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales today named Johnny Sutton to serve as chair for the Attorney General's Advisory Committee of United States Attorneys and Susan W. Brooks to serve as vice chair. Sutton currently serves as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas and Brooks currently serves as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. In addition, two new members were named: United States Attorneys Thomas E. Moss from Idaho and Gregory A. White from the Northern District of Ohio.

"Johnny Sutton and Susan Brooks are experienced prosecutors who have served with distinction as United States Attorneys," said Attorney General Gonzales. "The Advisory Committee plays an invaluable role in providing strong advice and counsel as the Department works to make our Nation safer and more secure. Together, we will work to combat terrorism, reduce violent crime and drug trafficking, prevent cybercrime and child exploitation, prosecute government and corporate corruption, and protect the civil rights of all Americans."

Sutton, a member of the Advisory Committee since 2002, currently serves as vice chair of the committee. He was appointed by President Bush to serve as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas in December 2001, after having served by court appointment since November of that year. Prior to becoming United States Attorney, Sutton served as Associate Deputy Attorney General throughout 2001 and as Criminal Justice Policy Director to the Governor of Texas from 1995-2000. He served as an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, Texas, from 1988-1995. Sutton also serves on the Advisory Committee's Border and Immigration Law Enforcement Subcommittee.

Brooks who first served on the Advisory Committee in 2002- 2003, and was reappointed to the Committee in 2005. She currently chairs the Advisory Committee's Office Management and Budget Subcommittee. Brooks was appointed by President Bush to serve as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana in October 2001. Previously, she served as: Of Counsel with Ice Miller Law Firm of Indianapolis from 2000-2001; Deputy Mayor for the City of Indianapolis from 1998-1999; partner with McClure, McClure & Kammen of Indiana from 1985-1997. Brooks is the former chair of the Advisory Committee's Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee/Victim/Witness/Community Issues Subcommittee and continues to serve as a member.

Thomas E. Moss was sworn in as the Presidentially-appointed United States Attorney for the District of Idaho on Nov. 19, 2001. Prior to his appointment, he had a general practice of law and served as the elected Prosecuting Attorney for Bingham County, Idaho, for 25 years. He is the past president of the Idaho State Bar Association and the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, and served in the Idaho Legislature. In 2005, he was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Within the Department of Justice, Moss serves as a member of the Advisory Committee's Subcommittee on Native American Issues and Border and Immigration Law Enforcement and is a member of the Executive Working Group.

Gregory A. White began his service as the Presidentially- appointed United States Attorney on March 28, 2003. Prior to his appointment, he served as the elected Lorain County, Ohio Prosecuting Attorney from 1981-2003. White's other public service included over 10 years as a member of the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission and eight years as Chair of the Ohio Attorney General's Victims of Crime Advisory Board, voting on the dissemination of Victim of Crime Act money. He also served in the United States Marine Corps during the years 1968 and 1969. White serves as chair of the Advisory Committee's Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee/Victim/Witness/Community Issues Subcommittee. He also serves on the Advisory Committee's Subcommittees on Border and Immigration Law Enforcement; Violent and Organized Crime; and Terrorism and National Security.

The Advisory Committee plays a vital role in furthering the Department's law enforcement efforts and represents the voice of the United States Attorneys in making Department policy.

The following is a listing of the 2006 Advisory Committee:

Johnny Sutton, United States Attorney, Western District of Texas, Chair

Susan Brooks, United States Attorney, Southern District of Indiana, Vice Chair

Michael Garcia, United States Attorney, Southern District of New York

Karin J. Immergut, United States Attorney, District of Oregon

Roslynn Mauskopf, United States Attorney, Eastern District of New York

Patrick L. Meehan, United States Attorney, Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Thomas E. Moss, United States Attorney, District of Idaho

David E. Nahmias, United States Attorney, Northern District of Georgia

Kevin J. O'Connor, United States Attorney, District of Connecticut

Paul Ignatius Perez, United States Attorney, Middle District of Florida

McGregor W. Scott, United States Attorney, Eastern District of California