[StBernard] Landrieu Recommends Bagneris, Letten, May for Key Federal Appointments in Eastern District

[Westley Annis]

Landrieu Recommends 
Bagneris, Letten, May for 
Key Federal Appointments 

in Eastern District

 

WASHINGTON - United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today announced
her recommendations to President Obama for three key federal appointments in
the Eastern District of Louisiana. She selected Michael Bagneris as judge
for the U.S. District Court, Jim Letten to retain his role as U.S. attorney,
and she selected Genevieve "Genny" May as U.S. Marshal. 

"Michael Bagneris, Jim Letten and Genevieve May are the outstanding choices
to serve our communities," Sen. Landrieu said. "My office has been
thoroughly vetting candidates for these positions since the Obama
Administration took office. It was important for us to have adequate time to
hear from a broad swath of our community before a final decision was made.
Because of the meticulous review we did of qualified contenders, I am
confident that I am recommending to the President and Attorney General
Holder the most competent and fair-minded choices for Louisiana's Eastern
District."

"I have had the distinct privilege over the years to have worked with each
of these appointees and have the utmost respect and admiration for the
diligence with which they have each performed their duties and the
contributions each has made to the State of Louisiana," said Louisiana
Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine "Kitty" Kimball. "I wish them all the
best in their new endeavors, and our court will continue to cooperate with
them in any way that we may be of assistance." 

"As one of the law enforcement leaders in the Eastern District, I'm familiar
with each of the three candidates being proposed by Sen. Landrieu," said
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand. "My interactions with them in past
years have always been positive, and these are strong, pro law
enforcement-type officials. I am very proud of the candidates she has put up
for consideration."

Judge Michael Bagneris

Bagneris won the Orleans Parish Civil District Court judgeship in 1993,
where he has served as Chief Judge. He grew up in the Desire Housing
Projects in New Orleans and earned a scholarship to Yale University,
eventually graduating from Tulane Law School. Early in his career, he worked
with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to reverse discriminatory laws, such as
those that barred minorities and women from becoming police officers and
firefighters. He then served as Mayor Ernest "Dutch" Morial's Executive
Council. The National Bar Association selected him to lead the Judicial
Council Division of the National Bar Association, and in that position, he
has emphasized the importance of continuing legal education programs and
often lectures on the topic. He has a seat on the Tulane Board of Trustees
and helps mentor new judges.

 

"For his entire career, Judge Bagneris has fought for civil rights for our
local community and communities across the nation," Sen. Landrieu said. "His
colleagues in the state judiciary consider him one of our finest and most
dedicated leaders. He will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the
federal judiciary. His fair-mindedness, honesty and dedication to our region
make him the top choice to serve the people of the Eastern District in this
critical judgeship."

U.S. Attorney Jim Letten

            U.S. Attorney Letten, a New Orleans native, has served as United
States Attorney since April 2001, and he is known for his dedication to
combating corruption. He is a graduate of Tulane Law School and served for
four years in the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office under
then-District Attorney Harry Connick. 

            Letten has served for more than 25 years as a federal
prosecutor, becoming Chief of the DOJ Organized Crime and Racketeering
Strike force in 1988 and First Assistant in 1994. As U.S. Attorney, Letten
has served on the Attorney General's Advisory Subcommittees on National
Security/Counter Terrorism, Environment Crimes and Violent Crimes. He was
awarded the U.S. Attorney General's Medallion for Distinguished Service in
recognition of his leadership following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Letten
is also a retired Naval Reserve Intelligence Officer, achieving the rank of
Commander.

            "The New Orleans region is a safer place thanks to the grit and
determination of our U.S. Attorney Jim Letten, and he deserves
reappointment," Sen. Landrieu said. "His crime-fighting record and
leadership against corruption should be both admired and emulated. His
ability to cooperate and partner with our region's law enforcement has
greatly increased his office's effectiveness. Under the direction of our new
Attorney General Holder, he will continue to be the fair-minded and
even-handed U.S. Attorney that has been for eight years."

            "I applaud Senator's Landrieu's recommendation to retain Jim
Letten as U.S. Attorney," said New Orleans attorney Brian Jackson. "Jim is
an outstanding prosecutor who has served this community with the highest
degree of professional competence. I am confident that he will continue to
serve with fairness and integrity."  

Lieutenant Colonel May

            Lieutenant Colonel May would be the first presidentially
appointed female U.S. Marshal in Louisiana. Since 2008, she has served as
Deputy Superintendent in the Louisiana State Police, overseeing the Bureau
of Investigations. She is the highest-ranking woman within the state police.
Lieutenant Colonel May is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana State
University and has Master's degrees in public administration and criminal
justice. May is responsible for more than 500 commissioned and civilian
personnel. She recently retired from the U.S. Navy, where she served as an
Intelligence Specialist Master Chief Petty Officer. During Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita, she served as a critical liaison between federal, state
and local law enforcement agencies. Early in her career, she was a Deputy
Sheriff in the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.

"Lieutenant Colonel May has dedicated her career to law enforcement, serving
our state in the Louisiana State Police and her country in the U.S. Navy.
She would be the first woman from our state presidentially appointed to U.S.
Marshal, and her credentials clearly place her as the No. 1 candidate in the
Eastern District."

Sen. Landrieu's full letter of recommendation to President Obama is
available here:
http://landrieu.senate.gov/news/09.04.27_Recommendations_to_Obama.pdf
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piv=2100038215.1533.57&gen=1&mailing_linkid=6563>