Brower named U.S. attorney for Nevada

WASHINGTON -- Gregory Brower, a former Nevada assemblyman from Reno who has held legal posts within the Bush administration, was confirmed Thursday as the state's chief federal prosecutor.

Brower, 43, completed Senate review to become U.S. attorney for Nevada. He was approved by the Senate without dissent.

His confirmation opens a new chapter in the federal prosecutors' office in Nevada. Its former chief, Daniel Bogden, was forced out in December 2006 as part of a controversial Justice Department purge that triggered congressional investigations and the eventual resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

The White House last month selected Brower from among three candidates suggested by Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev. Ensign and Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., engineered a relatively speedy confirmation.

Brower could not be reached for comment late Thursday.

Ensign said Brower, a Republican who has worked for the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys in the Justice Department, was well-suited for the job.

"He has a tremendous track record and is widely respected in the legal community," Ensign said.

Brower will lead an office of more than three dozen attorneys who prosecute criminal cases pursued by the federal government in Nevada, and defend the government in civil cases. The office is headquartered in Las Vegas with a branch office in Reno.

Since October 2006, Brower has been general counsel of the U.S. Government Printing Office in Washington. Previously, he was the agency's inspector general.

Before joining the GPO in 2004, Brower worked in the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys where he was a liaison between members of Congress and U.S. attorneys around the country.

As an assemblyman, Brower represented District 26, which includes Carson City, Lake Tahoe and Reno, from 1998 until 2002, when he was defeated by fellow Republican Sharron Angle after a redistricting.

Brower was born in Wisconsin and moved to Las Vegas at a young age. He graduated from Bonanza High School in 1982 and received an undergraduate degree in political economy from the University of California, Berkeley in 1986. He earned his law degree in 1992 from George Washington University Law School.

Brower and his wife, Loren, have two daughters.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau chief Steve Tetreault at STetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.