U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Award Recipients

Baltimore, Maryland - Twelve employees of the United States Attorney’s Office and four 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 new Assistant U.S. Attorneys and other employees who have joined the Office since last year.

Former United States Attorney, Maryland Court of Appeals Judge Lynne A. Battaglia served as the keynote speaker for the event. Judge Battaglia served as U.S. Attorney from 1993 to 2001.

“The recipients of these awards upheld the highest ethical and professional standards while pursuing justice with exceptional skill and dedication,” commented U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

“The Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office has earned a reputation for excellence, integrity and achievement over more than two centuries,” U.S. Attorney Rosenstein added. “We are counting on our new employees to live up to that reputation as you work 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: Joyce K. McDonald

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: Robert R. Harding
Christopher J. Romano

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: Kathleen Rosier

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 Aiosa
Richard Henry
Daniel Salak
Dougald Thrutchley

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: Joseph R. Baldwin

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: Jefferson M. Gray
Leo J. Wise

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: Stefan D. Cassella
Peter M. Nothstein

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: David I. Salem

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: Michelle Wicker

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: Rachel M. Yasser

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.

New Employees

In addition, the U.S. Attorney welcomed new employees who joined the office last year. Assistant U.S. Attorneys: Leah Bressack, Kenneth Clark, Kelly Hayes, Jakarra Jones, Scott Lemmon, Peter J. Martinez, Nicholas Mitchell, Seema Mittal, David Sharfstein, Thomas Sullivan, Thomas Windom. Support Staff: Jennifer Mills, Angela Ostrum, Ashley Tyson, Damaris Weeks.