Ousted U.S. attorney renominated

President Barack Obama nominated Daniel Bogden as U.S. attorney for Nevada on Friday, more than two years after the Bush administration fired him from the same job.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid recommended Bogden as a replacement for Greg Brower, who currently holds the post. Earlier this year, Reid said Brower had done a fine job but that Bogden deserved to have the position.

"Dan is a highly qualified and skilled lawyer who served Nevada well before being wrongly removed from office," according to a statement issued by Reid on Friday. "His wealth of experience stems from his time serving as U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General, his work with the Washoe County District Attorney's office and his five years as U.S. attorney. I look forward to a speedy confirmation."

Bogden was fired on Dec. 7, 2006. Six other U.S. attorneys from other states were fired that same day, and two others had been fired earlier in the year.

The unusual mass firings within the Justice Department provoked a storm of reaction on Capitol Hill.

House and Senate judiciary committees convened investigations that revealed Bush officials had politicized hirings and firings within the department.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and eight senior officials resigned from the Justice Department by September 2007 in the wake of the congressional probes.

Justice officials gave differing reasons why Bogden was fired but nothing definitive emerged. Some officials, including Gonzales, told Congress they did not understand themselves how Bogden ended up on the pink slip list.

Bogden, a partner in the Nevada law firm McDonald Carano Wilson, issued a statement Friday in which he described himself as "extremely honored" by Obama's nomination.

"I sincerely appreciate the opportunity this nomination presents for me to return to public service," the statement read. "I greatly appreciate Senate Majority Leader Reid's recommending me for the position and President Obama's confidence in nominating me so I can again pursue justice on behalf of the citizens of Nevada and the American people. Having been through this process before, I know there still is the Senate Judiciary hearing and the confirmation process. If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed, I look forward to the challenge and the great opportunity to again lead the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada."

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., had suggested Bogden for the U.S. attorney's job in 2001, when Republicans had the power to fill federal vacancies during the Bush administration. Bogden, who is registered as a nonpartisan, was a Nevada staff prosecutor at the time.

On Friday, Ensign commended Obama for nominating Bogden.

"I knew that he had a distinguished career of public service ahead of him, and I was glad to see Senator Reid felt the same way when he recommended him this year," Ensign told The Associated Press.

Earlier this year, Ensign said both Bogden and Brower "have been tremendous public servants for Nevada."

Brower, a Republican and former Nevada assemblyman, has served as U.S. attorney since January 2008. He could not be reached for comment Friday.

Ellen Knowlton, former special agent in charge of the FBI's Las Vegas office, and husband David Knowlton, former special agent in charge of the Federal Air Marshal Service's Las Vegas office, both welcomed news of Bogden's nomination Friday.

"He's such a hard-working, dedicated professional that I'm glad to see he's being offered the position," said Ellen Knowlton, who retired in February 2006.

She cited fairness as Bogden's "number one characteristic" and said he believes in the criminal justice system.

"I found him to be an advocate for those most needing of assistance, including children who were victims of Internet pornography and Native Americans who were victims of crime on reservations," she said.

Ellen Knowlton said she has heard only positive comments about Brower's performance but has never met him.

David Knowlton, who retired in January 2006, described Bogden as "very professional" and "very businesslike."

"I think law enforcement in Nevada will be very fortunate to have him back," David Knowlton said.

In March, seven current or former prosecutors told the Review-Journal that Bogden lacked the management skills needed for the job of U.S. attorney and should not be rehired. They spoke on condition of anonymity.

On Friday, longtime Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Rukstele called them "immature, narcissistic, selfish and disgruntled people who have personal agendas."

"I think their allegations against Mr. Bogden are nothing short of adulterated bunk with no basis in fact whatsoever," Rukstele said. "And frankly, the office would be better if they left."

Bogden, he said, "is a class act, a man of character, a man of principle, a person who treats everyone fairly and honestly."

Contact reporter Carri Geer Thevenot at cgeer@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135.