South Bend prosecutor to take lead at U.S. Attorney's office
POST-TRIBUNE NEWS
March 13, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-us-attorney-replacement-st-0314-20170313-story.html
A South Bend-based federal prosecutor will temporarily lead the U.S. Attorney's office in Hammond following the resignation of the former federal prosecutor
Clifford Johnson, a first assistant U.S. attorney, will serve as the interim U.S. attorney after David Capp stepped down from the Northern District of Indiana's top spot Saturday. As Johnson temporarily takes over the office, Sen. Todd Young, R-Bloomington, will lead the search to find a new U.S. attorney to replace Capp.
"For the last several weeks, we have been collecting applications for judicial, U.S. attorney and U.S. marshal positions. The applications will be reviewed and Sen. Young will work with the White House to find an exceptionally qualified U.S. attorney," said Jay Kenworthy, Young's communications director.
President Donald Trump first will nominate someone to fill the post before confirmation hearings start. The deadline for potential nominees to submit applications was Monday.
Johnson has been the first assistant U.S. attorney since 2007 and first joined the office in 1986, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. He previously was an attorney with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, and received his bachelor's degree and law degree from Valparaiso University.
Capp, who spent more than 30 years as a federal prosecutor, submitted his resignation Saturday after the Trump administration asked sitting U.S. attorneys appointed by former President Obama to step down.
Obama appointed Capp as U.S. attorney in 2009, though he had served as the office's interim chief since 2007 when former President George W. Bush tapped former U.S Attorney Joseph Van Bokkelen as a federal judge.
Capp, during his tenure with the federal prosecutor's office, took a hard stance against public corruption in the area. Serving under Van Bokkelen, Capp led major efforts to stop corruption, including Operation Lights Out and Operation Restore Public Integrity.
Under Capp, federal prosecutors recently leveled charges against Lake County Sheriff John Buncich, a Democrat, and Portage Mayor James Snyder, a Republican. Last year, his office successfully prosecuted former Lake Station Mayor Keith Soderquist and Soderquist's wife, Deborah.
Aside from his crusade against public corruption, Capp also focused on fighting gang- and drug-related crime in northwest Indiana.
Indiana's congressional delegation lauded Capp's accomplishments during his tenure with the U.S. Attorney's office.
"Dave Capp worked hard for the people of Indiana during his years in the U.S. Attorney's office and as U.S. Attorney. He helped lead the fight to crack down on gangs and drug crimes and worked to keep our communities safe. He has been a dedicated public servant for our state, and I wish him and his family the best," U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-South Bend, said in a statement.
"I have the deepest appreciation for the dedicated life of service that David Capp has provided to northwest Indiana.I believe that his judicious temperament, tireless work ethic, and goodness of heart will leave an incredibly lasting impact," U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky, D-Merrillville, said in a statement."I wish my friend the very best."
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