U.S. Atty. O'Brien

By Allan Lengel
ticklethewire.com
WASHINGTON — U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O’Brien of Los Angles is stepping down, effective Sept. 1, to join a private law firm, the Los Angles Times reported.

Thom Mrozek, an office spokesman, said O’Brien will be joining the Paul Hastings law firm, the paper said.

O’Brien, a former Navy Top Gun instructor, took office in October 2007. His office undertook a number of high profile cases including the molestations by priests in the local Achdiocese.

Meanwhile, in Scranton, Pa., federal prosecutor Dennis Pfannenschmidt will step up as the interim U.S. Attorney, replacing  Martin Carlson, who resigned Saturday.