U.S. Atty. Durkan

Seattle U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan doesn’t have a secret.

As the first openly gay federal prosecutor, she speaks freely of being gay, and did so again Monday as the keynote speaker at the Justice Department’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride month ceremony in Washington.

“I stand before you as the first openly gay U.S. attorney,” Durkan told the audience of more than 200 Justice Department employees and others, the Seattle Times reported.

The 52-year-old, who has a long time partner and two children, said speaking out helps other gays and lesbians and helps educate the public about “the reality of our humanity.”

To read more click here.

Read Atty. Gen. Eric Holder’s Statement

OTHER STORIES OF INTEREST

• Dallas Police Chief’s Son Suspected of  Killing Cop (AP)
• Key Witness in Blago Case Takes the Stand (AP)
• NM Father and 2 Sons Die in Apparent Murder-Suicide (AP)
• 4 Charged in Texas School Videotape Beating (AP)
• al Qaeda Warns of More Attacks (AP)
• Woman Gunned Down on Highway As Motorists Watch (AP)

Well, this certainly shows some diversity when it comes to finances. So far, U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan of Washington state leads the pack with $5.9 million in net worth.

Jenny Durkan/doj photo

By Christopher M. Matthews
Main Justice
WASHINGTON — President Obama’s U.S. Attorney nominees are turning out to be a diverse bunch in terms of race, gender – and net worth.

Of the 29 U.S. Attorney candidates who have been confirmed or nominated so far, reported net worth ranges from nearly $6 million to less than $10,000, according to an analysis of financial disclosure data filed with the Senate Judiciary Committtee.

The wealthiest include recently confirmed U.S. Attorneys Jenny Durkan of the Western District of Washington ($5.9 million) and Paul Fishman of New Jersey ($5.1 million).

Four nominees reported net worth of less than $200,000. They are Stephanie Rose, nominated to lead Iowa’s Northern District; Richard Callahan, nominated for Missouri’s Eastern District; Carter Stewart of Ohio’s Southern District; and Nick Klinefeldt, of Iowa’s Northern District

For Full Story

Jenny Durkan

When it comes to getting the nod for U.S. Attorney, it helps to know a governor. Jenny Durkan has figured that one out.

By Mike Carter and Jennifer Sullivan
Seattle Times
SEATTLE — Jenny Durkan, a prominent Seattle defense attorney and longtime friend and confidante of Gov. Chris Gregoire, has been recommended to the White House as the next U.S. attorney for Western Washington.

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., sent Durkan’s name to the White House for consideration as the top federal law-enforcement officer for the district, a recommendation endorsed by fellow Democrat Sen. Maria Cantwell.

Durkan would replace Jeff Sullivan, who was appointed by the district’s federal judges after John McKay was fired in 2006 in a politically motivated purge that led to congressional hearings and the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
For Full Story