Attorney General Recognizes District Employees

DALLAS – Several employees of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, who were members of the District’s prosecution team in what became known as the Dallas City Council public corruption case, were recognized by Attorney General Eric Holder and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director Monty Wilkinson at the 30th annual Director’s Awards Ceremony today in Washington D.C.

The Northern District of Texas was one of 44 districts represented at the ceremony held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building.

Attorney General Holder and EOUSA Director Wilkinson recognized U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña, who, at that time was the Deputy Criminal Chief in charge of the District’s Fraud and Public Corruption section; Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham; Assistant U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton; and paralegal specialists Diana Christensen and Lisa Anderson. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcus Bush, who is now with the Department’s Office of International Affairs, as well as three special agents with the FBI’s Dallas Division, David Garcia, Allen Wilson and Donald Sherman, were also recognized.

In his prepared remarks to awardees, Attorney General Holder said, “Locally, nationally, and internationally, you represent the very best that this Department has to offer. Your work embodies our ongoing commitment – not merely to win cases, but to do justice; to protect our fellow citizens from crime, violence, and terrorism; to empower the most vulnerable among us; and to uphold the rule of law.”

EOUSA Director Monty Wilkinson echoed those sentiments, saying to the recipients, “You have persevered, and remained focused and motivated – achieving remarkable results in work that makes a difference in the lives of citizens across our great country. The vast scope of your collective accomplishments is nothing short of exceptional.”

Each of the 16 defendants charged in the Dallas City Council case either pleaded guilty or were found guilty by a jury. Four jury trials resulted in the conviction of eight defendants, including one trial that lasted more than 16 weeks. Public officials, Texas State Representative Gladys “Terri” Hodge, Dallas City Council members James Fantroy and Donald Hill, and Dallas City Planning Commissioner D’Angelo Lee, were convicted. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans, Louisiana affirmed the convictions and sentences.

EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/eousa/