Baltimore, Maryland - Sixteen employees of the United States Attorney’s Office and a law enforcement agent 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 swore in eleven new Assistant U.S. Attorneys and welcomed seven other new employees.

Former United States Attorney and United States Senator Joseph D. Tydings served as the keynote speaker for the event. Senator Tydings, who served as United States Attorney from 1961 to 1963, discussed the history and principles of the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“The award recipients demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication and commitment to pursuing justice while upholding the highest ethical and professional standards,” commented United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

“Maryland’s Assistant U.S. Attorneys have earned a reputation for excellence, integrity and achievement,” U.S. Attorney Rosenstein told the new prosecutors. “We are counting on you to live up to that reputation as you work tirelessly and cooperatively 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: Robert R. Harding, Chief, Narcotics Section

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: Stuart A. Berman, Chief, Southern Division
Michael R. Pauzé, Deputy Chief, Southern Division

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: Mary G. Hammond, Auditor, Civil Division

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
Recipient: Michael C. Coleman, Detective, Baltimore Police Department
Task Force Officer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives

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 F. Corcoran, Assistant U.S. Attorney

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
Recipient: James A. Crowell IV, Assistant U.S. Attorney

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: Jason M. Weinstein, Chief, Violent Crime Section

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
Recipients: Chan Park, Assistant U.S. Attorney
James M. Trusty, Assistant U.S. Attorney

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
Recipients: LaTonia L. Kelly, Supervisory Paralegal
Naquita Ervin, Paralegal, Asset Forfeiture Unit

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
Recipients: Elizabeth E. Gardner, Paralegal
Michael C. Hanlon, Deputy Chief, Violent Crime Section
Steven J. Hess, Law Enforcement Coordinator
Troy V. Williams, Community Outreach Coordinator
Jason M. Weinstein, Chief, Violent Crime Section

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 recently joined the office and administered the oath of office to eleven new Assistant U.S. Attorneys: Thomas H. Barnard, Michael J. Friedman, Clinton J. Fuchs, Michael P. Grady, Mushtaq Z. Gunja, Judson T. Mihok, William D. Moomau, Sujit M. Raman, Christen A. Sproule, Rachel Yasser, and Mara B. Zusman.