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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday - November 18, 2004
WASHINGTON, D. C. - United States Attorney Frank D. Whitney announced that DENNIS M. DUFFY and
JOHN STUART BRUCE, attorneys in the U. S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, have
been named by the U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ) as recipients of 2004 Director's Awards. On
Wednesday, November 17, 2004, the Director's Awards were presented to Messrs. Duffy and Bruce by Deputy
Attorney General James B. Comey and Mary Beth Buchanan, Director of the Executive Office for U. S.
Attorneys (EOUSA). The Awards Ceremony, held in the International Trade Center amphitheater at the
Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D. C., was followed by a reception honoring the recipients and their
guests in the Great Hall of the Main Justice Building.
These awards are given annually by the EOUSA Director and the Justice Department to DOJ employees nationwide in recognition of excellence in the performance of their duties during their careers.
During Wednesday's 21st annual ceremony, 224 awards were given to Assistant U. S. Attorneys and litigation
and information technology support personnel, as well as others who have made outstanding contributions in
federal, state, and local law enforcement.
Messrs. Duffy and Bruce, both of Raleigh, N. C., each received a Director's Award for "Superior Performance
as an Assistant United States Attorney." In nominating them for the awards, U. S. Attorney Whitney said,
"AUSAs Dennis M. Duffy and John Stuart Bruce are nominated for their dedication in prosecuting what has
been called the most successful public corruption case in North Carolina history. It resulted in the conviction of
the Commissioner of Agriculture and four of her top aides for multiple felonies associated with their corrupt
activities, including extortion under color of official right, mail and wire fraud, and obstruction of justice. Under
the glare of intense coverage from both print and electronic news media, the AUSAs pursued the case
methodically but with alacrity. The results exceeded all expectations because of the prosecution team's
aggressive yet prudent approach."
During the Awards Ceremony, Attorney General John Ashcroft said, "I commend all of the award recipients for
their extraordinary accomplishments. You have made a difference that has expanded the freedom of the
American people--giving them freedom from terrorism, freedom from crime, freedom from the dependency of
drugs, and freedom from dishonesty and deception in our financial markets. Your work, your lives, and your
actions have changed lives for the better, ensuring that every American is equal under the law and protected by
the United States Constitution."
EOUSA Director Mary Beth Buchanan added, "These awards recognize the impressive achievements of 224 of
the nation's finest public servants. They are the prosecutors, secretaries, paralegals, IT specialists, officers,
agents, and others whose hard work makes our nation safer and our system of justice stronger."
DENNIS M. DUFFY joined the staff of the U. S. Attorney's Office on May 24, 1998, and serves as an Assistant U. S. Attorney in the Criminal Division. JOHN STUART BRUCE first joined the United States Attorney's Office as an Assistant U. S. Attorney on April 18, 1983, and currently serves as Executive Assistant U. S. Attorney and Senior Litigation Counsel.
U. S. Attorney Whitney commended Messrs. Duffy and Bruce for their superior work and their professionalism and thanked them for their dedication to the United States Attorney's Office and the Department of Justice.
The Executive Office for United States Attorneys provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys' Offices around the country.
News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney's web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.
