Baltimore, Maryland - Thirteen employees of the United States Attorney’s Office, a law enforcement agent and the mother of murder victim Kareem Guest were honored today with the Office’s most prestigious awards. At a ceremony held to announce the awards this morning at the U.S. Courthouse in Baltimore, the United States Attorney also welcomed new Assistant U.S. Attorneys and other employees who have joined the Office since last year.

Former United States Attorney George Beall served as the keynote speaker for the event. Mr. Beall served as U.S. Attorney from 1970 to 1975. During his tenure, Beall supervised the investigation of Vice President Spiro Agnew, which resulted in his 1973 guilty plea and resignation. Mr. Beall discussed the history and principles of the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“These award recipients upheld the highest ethical and professional standards while pursuing justice with exceptional skill and dedication,” commented United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

“Through many decades of service, Maryland’s Assistant U.S. Attorneys have earned a reputation for excellence, integrity and achievement,” U.S. Attorney Rosenstein told the new prosecutors. “We are counting on you to live up to that reputation as you work tirelessly and cooperatively to promote the rule of law, punish criminals, deter crime and protect government property.”

Annual Awards

The following awards were announced for accomplishments over the past year:

Gary Jordan Award
Recipient: Michael Cunningham, Deputy Chief, Major Crimes Section

Gary P. Jordan served with distinction for many years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, as First Assistant from March 29, 1987 until his death on October 25, 1996, and as interim U.S. Attorney in 1993. This is an honorary award presented annually to an Assistant U.S. Attorney for exemplary performance that demonstrates the highest traditions of the office: integrity, ingenuity, dedication to public service and fairness.

Barnet D. Skolnik Award
Recipients: David Copperthite, Assistant U.S. Attorney
James A. Crowell IV, Deputy Chief, Southern Division
Stuart M. Goldberg, former First Assistant U.S. Attorney
Sujit M. Raman, Assistant U.S. Attorney

Barnet D. (Barney) Skolnik was an Assistant U.S. Attorney who led teams that prosecuted numerous white collar criminals and corrupt public officials in the 1970s, including Vice President Spiro T. Agnew. This is an honorary award presented annually to one or more Assistant U.S. Attorneys who demonstrate outstanding professionalism, determination and creativity in a case of unusual public significance.

Employee of the Year Award
Recipient: Angela Meadows

The Employee of the Year Award recognizes sustained superior performance and outstanding achievements by a non-attorney employee. The award also recognizes the recipient's professionalism, dedication and comprehensive knowledge in their area of expertise.

Pete Twardowicz Award
Recipient: Michael Glenn, Detective, Baltimore Police Department
(ATF Task Force Officer)

The Pete Twardowicz Award was established in honor of Eugene P. (Pete) Twardowicz, who rendered many years of outstanding service to the U.S. Attorney’s Office as an IRS criminal investigator and a Special Investigator for this Office. This award recognizes law enforcement agents or officers for outstanding cooperation and achievement while working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on a significant case.

Excellence in Civil Advocacy
Recipient: Neil R. White, Assistant U.S. Attorney

The U.S Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Civil Advocacy, established in 2007, is presented annually to an Assistant U.S. Attorney for outstanding advocacy in civil litigation.

Excellence in Prosecution of Fraud
Recipient: Jonathan Su, Assistant U.S. Attorney

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Prosecution of Fraud, established in 2007, is presented annually to an Assistant U.S. Attorney for outstanding work in prosecuting fraud.

Excellence in Prosecution of Violent Crime
Recipient: John W. Sippel, Assistant U.S. Attorney

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Prosecution of Violent Crime, established in 2007, is presented annually an Assistant U.S. Attorney for outstanding work in prosecuting violent crime.

Excellence in Prosecution of Organized Crime
Recipient: Clinton J. Fuchs, Assistant U.S. Attorney
James T. Wallner, Deputy Chief, Violent Crime Section

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Prosecution of Organized Crime, established in 2007, is presented annually to an Assistant U.S. Attorney for outstanding work in prosecuting organized criminal activity.

Excellence in Legal Support
Recipient: Celeste Hart, Paralegal

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Excellence in Legal Support, established in 2007, is presented annually to one or more non-attorney employees for outstanding work in support of the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Outstanding Contributions to a Law Enforcement Initiative
Recipients: Roann Nichols, Deputy Chief, Civil Division

The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to a Law Enforcement Initiative, established in 2007, is presented annually to one or more employees for outstanding work in support of an initiative of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Carl S. Lackl Award
Recipient: Deborah Guest

The Carl S. Lackl Award for Exemplary Perseverance and Fortitude in Pursuit of Justice was established in 2008 in honor of Carl Stanley Lackl, Jr. Mr. Lackl witnessed a murder in Baltimore in 2006 and agreed to testify against the suspect he identified. After the suspect was arrested by police and charged in state court with the murder, he used a contraband cellular telephone to contact co-conspirators and arranged to murder Mr. Lackl, who was shot to death outside his house in front of his daughter. All of the conspirators were convicted on federal charges.

New Employees

In addition, the U.S. Attorney welcomed new employees who recently joined the office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys: Joseph Baldwin, Gregory Bockin, Brooke Carey, Joshua Kaul, Jonathan Lenzner, Sean O’Connell, Kristi O’Malley, Arun Rao, Antonio Reynolds, Leo Wise. Support Staff: Ashley Kellam, Heather Rolka, Amy Wise. Students: Anthony Barbagallo, Justin McDowell, Joshua Schnitzlein. Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys: Gerald Collins, LisaMarie Freitas, Constantine Lizas, Hans Miller, Erin Pulice. Contractors: Allison Hess, Bridget Ward, Eric Ward, Lauren Wilson.