The U.S. Attorney's Office recognizes employees for outstanding work in 2017

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio this month presented awards to honor outstanding advocacy, support and legal work on behalf of the district’s six million residents.

“These awards recognize the best efforts put forth by our office on behalf of the citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “Whether it’s combating violent crime, protecting taxpayers, trying to curb the tide of the opioid epidemic, just to name a few, these employees embody the best of public service.”

Details of the award winners are below:

AUSA of the Year: Kelly Galvin

Kelly Galvin personally helped making Norther Ohio safer in 2017 through several trials and prosecutions focused on violent firearms crimes. She was the lead prosecutor against five defendants – four of whom were members of the Heartless Felons gang – targeted random strangers for a series of carjackings in the Tremont neighborhood. The five defendants were sentenced collectively to more 130 years in prison. Galvin also successfully prosecuted a man who took a woman to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and shot her in the head, leaving her for dead. She somehow survived but is now blind. That defendant is serving life in prison.

Support of the Year: Jennifer Borrowman

Jennifer Borrowman is honored for her unwavering dedication of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Borrowman took over as supervisory legal assistant for the Criminal Division this year, with a twice-a-decade office audit looming and while still doing parts of her previous job while her replacement was waiting for her security clearance to be approved. Her professionalism is superior.

Bill Edwards Career Award: Ann Rowland

Ann Rowland will retire in January after 37 years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, making her the longest-serving attorney in the history of the office. She has served the office with distinction as chief of the Strike Force Unit, chief of the White Collar Crime Unit and deputy chief of the Criminal Division. She has served on countless committees and working groups to improve the judicial process and criminal justice system. The high-profile cases she has handled in her career include the prosecutions of Anthony Liberatore, a high-ranking member of La Costa Nostra; several supervisors in the Cleveland Water Department, and Jimmy Dimora, Frank Russo and more than 60 other people involved in a public corruption network focused on Cuyahoga County.

Bill Edwards Career Award: Roberta Sladick

Roberta Sladick has served as secretary to the United States Attorney for more than a dozen years, starting with Greg White. Sladick serves not only as gatekeeper to the U.S. Attorney, but also confidant, counselor, friend and sometimes life coach to each.  Bobbi started her federal career as a clerk-stenographer with the Defense Contract Audit Agency in 1978.  Two years later, she transferred to our office as a clerk-stenographer in the Civil Division.  In 1985, Bobbi was promoted to secretary to the First Assistant U.S. Attorney and held that position for 20 years until becoming secretary to the U.S. Attorney. Over the course of 32 years with our office, Bobbi Sladick has been a bedrock of the office.

Professionalism Award: Robert Bulford

Robert Bulford is the consummate professional, liked and respected by both the bench and the bar. He works almost around the clock in the Akron office and is always available with advice on legal questions and life questions. Fellow Assistant U.S. Attorneys and law enforcement agents have come to rely on Bulford for real-world, practical advice for the past 28 years in the office, as well as nine years in Summit County Prosecutor’s Office.

Bernard A. Smith Excellence in Appellate Advocacy: Laura Ford

Laura Ford has addressed every manner of federal prosecution, and this year has successfully handled appeals stemming from several multi-week, complex fraud, bribery and money laundering trials, including U.S. v. Bartoli, U.S. v. Epps, U.S. v. Jackson and U.S. v. Selgjekaj.  These trials were complicated for the prosecutors and agents who spent years working on them, but Ford quickly digested the information and expertly addressed all of the appellate issues raised by those defendants – with a 100 percent success rate. 

Excellence in Criminal Advocacy: Carol Skutnik and Brian McDonough

Carol Skutnik and Brian McDonough are honored for their work prosecuting U.S. v. Rydze, et al., in which six people were convicted of charges involving health care fraud, drug trafficking, and money laundering offenses. One of those defendants was Dr. Richard Rydze, a prominent doctor in the Pittsburgh area who, among other duties, served as team physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following a five-month trial which required Skutnik and McDonough to move to Pittsburgh and miss numerous holidays, birthdays, school and family events, Rydze was convicted of illegally dispensing controlled substances, including human growth hormone and opioids. 

Excellence in Civil Advocacy: James Bennett and Erin Brizius

James Bennett and Erin Brizius are recognized for their expert and professional handling of the difficult medical malpractice case involving the VA Hospital in Cleveland. A man went to the hospital complaining of chest pain, arm pain and shortness of breath. He was discharged but -- before exiting the building -- suffered a heart attack and fell, hitting his head.  His injuries were catastrophic. Bennett and Brizius expertly investigated this case, conducted extensive discovery, worked with several expert witnesses and negotiated a resolution of this complex case.

Excellence in Criminal Support: Sue Chandler

Sue Chandler demonstrated tremendous dedication and self-sacrifice this year. She was the lone paralegal supporting the prosecution team in U.S. v. Rydze. She kept track of thousands of exhibits that took up a full room in Cleveland and another full room in Pittsburgh. The exhibits were loaded into the office’s computer system, redacted to protect each patient’s private information and then expertly called up and displayed at trial.  All of that was the responsibility of one person – Sue Chandler.  Ever ready with some candy to support the troops and an exceptional amount of good attitude and funny stories, Sue not only brought the records and evidence, she brought the cheer.  Trials are difficult enough, but a five-month trial away from home when you’re living out of a hotel and away from family, keeping up that positive attitude is one of the reasons she was so very important to the success of the trial. 

Excellence in Civil Support : Debra Schoch

Schoch is recognized for her constant and professional commitment to the Civil Division. Schoch supported between five and seven attorneys this year, filled in for anyone who needed help or was on leave, and continued to mentor and assist other legal assistants in any area in which they needed assistance. She also assisted the high-volume area of Medicare cases and assisted in establishing and implementing best practices for the unit. Schoch’s professionalism, knowledge, efficiency, and helpful attitude are greatly appreciated by all who work with her.

Excellence in Administrative Support: Susan Frank

Susan Frank is honored for her work as Lead Administrative Services Specialist. She has been heavy involved with major projects such as the office library reduction, and developing and initiating movement of  shipping and receiving. Frank served as the point person in the office’s relations with GSA. She set up bi-weekly meeting with GSA to ensure any issues were being addressed and ensuring projects were completed in a timely manner.