NAFUSA Foundation Announces Increase of Tom Wales Reward

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NAFUSA Foundation President Mike McKay announces Wales Reward Enhancement

On February 21, 2018, U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein reaffirmed the commitment of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI to bring to justice those responsible for the October 11, 2001 murder of AUSA Tom Wales in Seattle. He also included a reminder that DOJ will pay a reward of up to $1 million to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of those behind the Wales murder.

“Any attack on a law enforcement officer is an attack on our entire justice system,” Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein said. “The Wales family has shown incredible strength, courage, and devotion. As Deputy Attorney General, I intend to see that we leave no stone unturned in the search for the killer who murdered Tom Wales. We will continue to pursue this case for as long as it takes to achieve justice. The killer will be held accountable.”

National Association of Former U.S. Attorneys (NAFUSA) Foundation President Mike McKay (U.S. Attorney for Western District of Washington, 1989-93) announced that, in addition to the reward offered by DOJ, the Foundation is putting up $525,000 to complement that already available (when DOJ pays out its reward, the NAFUSA Foundation will do the same). Joining McKay were NAFUSA members:

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan (U.S. Attorney, WDWA, 2009-14)
Hal Hardin (U.S. Attorney, MDTN, 1977-81), President of NAFUSA
John McKay (U.S. Attorney, WDWA, 2001-07)
Bill Hyslop (U.S. Attorney, EDWA, 1991-93)
Jim McDevitt (U.S. Attorney, EDWA, 2001-10)

“Every U.S. Attorney in the country from every administration dating back to President Carter is committed to support DOJ and the FBI to make sure that those behind Tom’s murder are brought to justice,” said former U.S. Attorney Mike McKay. “We hope that this increased reward, and the publicity it generates, helps in finding that citizen who will provide the last evidentiary link so that charges may finally be brought.”

“This case is so important to every former U.S. Attorney in the country,” said Hal Hardin, President of NAFUSA and former U.S. Attorney in Nashville, TN. “If this murder is connected with Tom’s work, he will be the first Assistant U.S. Attorney killed in the line of duty. Indeed, it’s was an attack on our country,” he said.

“Our experience is that the amount of a reward can make a difference in cases like this,” said Bill Hyslop, former U.S. Attorney from Spokane. “We therefore hope that by increasing the reward by more than 50% and generating this publicity, a good citizen will come forward with new, helpful information about the Wales case.”

PUBLIC – NAFUSA Foundation Wales Fund Donor List_022018

Click here to view media reports:

Seattle Times

Local NBC Affiliate

CBS News

DAG Rod Rosenstein

Georgia Super Lawyers Features Joe Whitley

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Joe D Whitley Photo - resized

Joe Whitley

The March 2018 Georgia Super Lawyers issue highlights the career of NAFUSA member Joe Whitley. Whitely served as U.S. Attorney in both the Northern District and the Middle District of Georgia, and as the associate attorney general under President George H.W. Bush. The article describes how Joe became the first general counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Many of Joe’s NAFUSA colleagues are quoted in the article.

Click here to read the article:

Super Lawyers Article – Heeding the Call – Why Joe Whitley was Tapped to Become the First General Counsel at DHS

Charles Hill Anderson Dies, 87

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Charles Hill Anderson

Charles Hill Anderson passed away on January 9, 2018, at his home at the Army Residence Community in San Antonio, Texas. Anderson practiced law for over 50 years in Nashville and served as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee (1969-1977). Anderson hired NAFUSA member Joe Brown and was succeeded in office by NAFUSA President Hal Hardin.

An American flag was flown over Main Justice today as a token of the admiration for which he was held by his colleagues. It will be presented by NAFUSA to his family. Private services were held in San Antonio and a subsequent private service will be held in Chattanooga. Anderson is survived by his children: Buton Hill Anderson, San Antonio, TX; Alicia Lea Waters,  Bay City, TX; and Eric Scott Anderson, Washington, NJ.

Click here to view obituary from the Nashville Tennessean

 

DeGabrielle Flag Presentation Held in Houston

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After Don’s funeral on Thursday, February 1, 2018 at the Second Baptist Church in Houston, a reception was held at the home of Tim and Nancy Johnson. After having presented the NAFUSA flag to Catherine DeGabrielle as part of the memorial service at the church, a photo was taken at the reception.    The participants are left to right: Angel Moreno, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas 2010-2011; Catherine DeGabrielle, widow of Don DeGabrielle, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas 2006-2008; Tim Johnson, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas 2008-2010; Ron Woods, U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas 1990-1993; Johnny Sutton, U.S. Attorney, Western District of Texas 2001-2009; Paul Charlton, U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona 2001-2007.

Billy Kimbrough Flag Presentation Held in Mobile

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Mrs Kimbrough and USAS

On January 19, 2018, United States Attorney Richard W. Moore (Southern District of Alabama) hosted a flag presentation ceremony in his office in honor of William “Billy”  A. Kimbrough, Jr., who passed away last year. NAFUSA President Hal Hardin presided and presented the flag to Mrs. Kimbrough on NAFUSA’s behalf. It had been flown over Main Justice in Billy’s honor. The ceremony was attended by many federal judges and former U.S. Attorneys, as well as Billy’s family.

In the photo above, Mrs. Kimbrough is joined by (left to right) Hal Hardin, J.Don Foster, Richard Moore and Kenyen Ray Brown.

Morgenthau Writes of Armenian Genocide

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Robert Morgenthau

NAFUSA member Robert M. Morgenthau (Southern District of New York, 1961-1970), published an Op Ed in The Wall Street Journal on January 25, 2018, Will Trump Tell the Truth About the Armenian Genocide?

Morgenthau speaks of Turkey’s refusal to acknowledge the destruction of the Armenian population by the Ottoman Turks beginning in 1915. Morgenthau’s grandfather, Henry Morgenthau, was President Wilson’s ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at the time. He protested to the Turkish leaders, who told him the Armenians were not American citizens and none of his concern.

Morgenthau urges President Trump to declare the truth of the Armenian genocide.

Morgenthau also served as the Manhattan District Attorney (1975-2009) and is currently of counsel at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.

Pat Fitzgerald Represents Michigan State in Nassar Case

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Pat Fitzgerald

As pressure grows on Michigan State University for its handling of the Dr. Lawrence G. Nassar case, it was disclosed that NAFUSA member Patrick Fitzgerald had been retained to represent the university. Fitzgerald and his firm, Skadden Arps, were to defend the university in civil lawsuits, facilitate “cooperation” with law enforcement and provide “counseling on any internal reviews conducted to make sure they are carried out in a manner that will best assist the university’s response.”

There was some confusion, as reported in The New York Times 

about whether Fitzgerald was retained to conduct an independent internal investigation or represent the interests of the university. Fitzgerald said on Friday, January 26, 2018, that his team had never been “engaged to produce a public report.”

Nassar was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison on January 24, 2018, which led to the resignation of University President Lou Anna K. Simon and Athletic Director Mark Hollis. Fitzgerald wrote the state’s attorney general that “While many in the community today wish that they had identified Nassar as a predator, we believe the evidence in this case will show that no one else at M.S.U. knew that Nassar engaged in criminal behavior.”

Don DeGabrielle Dies, 64

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Don DeGabrielle

NAFUSA member Donald J. DeGabrielle died Monday, January 22, 2018, from complications of liver disease. He was 64. Don served in the Southern District of Texas, 2006-2008. He served in the office as an assistant U.S. attorney for 20 years. He also was a FBI agent in New York and New Orleans, and chief of trials in Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office in New Orleans.

He was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana and received his undergraduate degree from McNeese State University and his law degree from Louisiana State University.

He is survived by his wife Catherine, daughter, Crystal, son, Hunter, brother Jeb Barsh, and sister Brandy Wheeler.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at The Sanctuary at Second Baptist Church, 6400 Woodway, Houston. As is our custom, at our request an American flag was flown over Main Justice today in Don’s honor and will be presented to his family as a token of the respect with which he was held by his colleagues.

Click here to read the obituary in the Houston Chronicle

 

Flag flown over Main Justice on January 25 in honor of Don DeGabrielle