Legal News

Carlson Resigns as U.S. Attorney, Interim Named

By Brian Harris

By Leo Strupczewski
Of the Legal Staff

Martin C. Carlson, the acting U.S. attorney who has overseen the federal corruption probe in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, has resigned.

Carlson, whose last day was Aug. 8, was succeeded by Dennis C. Pfannenschmidt, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and most recently the chief of the office's civil division. Pfannenschmidt will hold the position on an interim basis until the White House makes a permenant appointment. It is unclear when such an appointment will be made.

While no reason was cited for Carlson?s departure, sources have told The Legal Carlson will likely be appointed as a U.S. magistrate in Harrisburg.

In a press release Monday, Pfannenschmidt said Carlson's tenure is marked by "exceptional success protecting and serving the public."

"Under Mr. Carlson's leadership, the U.S. Attorney's office has achieved landmark results attacking organized crime, protecting children, and putting drug traffickers and violent armed felons in prison," Pfannenschmidt continued. "Together, we have recovered more than $127,000,000 for the public, and we have earned national recognition for our pioneering work in corporate fraud, drug trafficking investigations and immigration law enforcement."

Since Jan. 26, Carlson has announced charges against several public officials in Luzerne County -- including two judges, the prothonotary, the court administrator and the deputy director of forensic programs. The probe has also led to charges being filed against several local school board members for pay-to-play arrangements.

Sources have told The Legal that a third judge is under investigation and that the corruption in the courthouse there extends to case-fixing and a payoff scheme. Carlson was also overseeing a corruption probe in neighboring Lackawanna County.

Prior to leading the office's civil division, Pfannenschmidt worked as a managing attorney and assistant U.S. attorney in Harrisburg. He began his career with the office in the criminal division, where he worked from 1988 to 1998.

Pfannenschmidt is a 1978 graduate of Pennsylvania State University?s Dickinson School of Law.

Full post as published by The Legal Intelligencer Blog on August 10, 2009 (boomark / email).