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Press Release
New Employee Also Recognized at Courthouse Ceremony
Baltimore, Maryland - Thirteen employees of the United States Attorney’s Office and thirteen law enforcement officers 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 a new Assistant U.S. Attorney and other employees who have joined the Office since last year.
Former United States Attorney, Maryland U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake served as the keynote speaker for the event. Judge Blake was an Assistant U.S. Attorney for ten years and served as U.S. Attorney from 1985 to 1986.
“These award recipients sought justice with exceptional skill and dedication,” commented U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “As the U.S. Attorney’s Office works with our partners in local, state and federal law enforcement to promote the rule of law, punish criminals, deter crime and protect government property, it is essential to maintain our commitment to excellence, integrity and achievement.”
Annual Awards
The following awards were announced for accomplishments over the past year:
Gary Jordan Award
Recipient: Roann Nichols
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: Martin J. Clarke
Sandra Wilkinson
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: Elizabeth Gardner
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
Recipients: Michael Baier
Michael Corcoran
Karen Franks
Lynn Grant
Erika Jenson
David Lee
Sarah Lewis
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: Thomas H. Barnard
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
Recipients: Kevin V. DiGregory
Kristi N. O’Malley
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: Paul E. Budlow
Mark W. Crooks
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: Ayn B. Ducao
Robert R. Harding
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: Gerry Zinser
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
Recipient: John Allen
Patrick Dugan
Bonnie S. Greenberg
Earl Jenkins
John Sheridan
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: Michael Baier
Michael Groth
Patrick Michaels
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 joined the office last year. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Myers and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys: Frank Balsamello; Nathaniel Cohen; Anthony Enright; Piper McKeithen; James Pearce; and Jennifer Sykes. Non-Attorney Staff: Joanna Neubauer.