BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A longtime federal prosecutor in Bismarck has applied to become the next U.S. attorney for the District of North Dakota.
Clare Hochhalter, 60, has served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office since 1988, and has served as criminal chief since 2004, The Bismarck Tribune (https://bit.ly/2qOlrtv ) reported.
“As an Assistant United States Attorney, I have gained broad experience, working in almost every kind of case, including criminal, civil, commercial and bankruptcy litigation,” Hochhalter wrote in letter to the congressional delegation. “I have enjoyed building relationships with federal, state, tribal and local partners.”
Hochhalter said he would like to continue emphasizing national security and the prosecution of violent crime, corruption and white-collar crimes in North Dakota as the state’s top federal prosecutor.
Hochhalter recently led the prosecution of a Jamaican lottery scam case in which 14 people were charged for allegedly bilking 90 mostly elderly U.S. residents out of $5.7 million.
U.S. Attorney Chris Myers took himself out of consideration for the position last week. Myers said he worried about going through the political nomination process.
The position, which Hochhalter officially applied for Monday, is also being sought by former Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley. Wrigley said Hochhalter is a longtime friend.
“It’s good to see interest in the position from a wide array of candidates from the North Dakota Bar,” U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp said in a statement.
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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, https://www.bismarcktribune.com
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