Posted on 06/26/2002 8:20:37 AM PDT by Liz
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Attorney General John Ashcroft has fired a federal bankruptcy trustee who has had a prominent role on behalf of consumers affected by California's power crisis last year.
U.S. Trustee Linda Stanley, the public watchdog for more than 70,000 bankruptcy cases in Northern California and Nevada, said Tuesday she was notified of her dismissal last week. Her last day is July 2.
Stanley said she does not know why she lost the job she has held for eight years. She was appointed by former Attorney General Janet Reno and is in the middle of her second five-year term.
"I really liked the job and I really think I made a difference," said Stanley, who plans to continue teaching bankruptcy law in San Francisco.
Dana Perino, a Justice Department spokeswoman, said it's the normal course of business for a new presidential administration to review U.S. trustees and occasionally replace them.
Perino said other appointments had been made this year, though she was not sure whether they were the result of dismissals. She did not know who would succeed Stanley, but she said business would continue as usual.
Stanley and her office have been active participants in Pacific Gas and Electric Co.'s bankruptcy. She drew praise from consumer advocates for her efforts to persuade U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali to create a committee through which ratepayers could speak to the future of California's largest utility.
"Linda Stanley went out on a limb to insist that consumers had a right to representation in the bankruptcy proceeding and to question the outrageous legal costs PG&E is racking up," said Mindy Spatt, a spokeswoman for The Utility Reform Network, a consumer advocacy group. "We hope this isn't payback for her standing up for ratepayers."
PG&E spokesman Ron Low said the utility had no comment about the firing.
Ivan Kallick, a Southern California bankruptcy attorney, said it's rare for a trustee to be replaced midterm.
"I would say that it is somewhat unique and surprising, particularly when she is very actively involved in such a high-profile case as PG&E," he said.
There are 21 U.S. trustees across the country. Congress created the posts in 1978 to promote and "secure the just, speedy and economical resolution of bankruptcy cases" as well as ensure parties comply with applicable laws and procedures. Trustees also investigate bankruptcy fraud and abuse.
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On the Net:
http://www.usdoj.gov/ust/r17/next.htm
AP-ES-06-26-02 1018EDT
Oh yah, you did that!
Someone should ask Mr. Kallick what is more rare, to replace a Trustee in mid-term or to fire all of the U.S. Attorneys in one fell swoop as Clinton did when he assumed office?
. ....and make it a real stinko Limburger.........
Stanley said she does not know why she lost the job she has held for eight years. She was appointed by former Attorney General Janet Reno and is in the middle of her second five-year term.
Sounds like a good beginning. Getting rid of socialist and maybe a commie girl friend of Jake Reno is good news!
Damn Clinton holdovers........ looks like Clinton FDA'er Pazdur tipped off ImClone family who tipped off Martha Stewart so that these "party of the people" contributors could cash in bigtime. The little guy lost out as usual, thanks to the "tolerant compassionate types associated with the (barf) party of the people."
My sentiments exactly. Way to go John Ashcroft. Just like the Sierra Club, we need to clear out the dry, deadwood, waiting to burst into flame and burn the public.
Wadda you wanna bet Stanley's positioning herself for higher office?
This is a great thing.
This bimbo's a triple threat.......adding (3)stupidity to her (2)incompetence and (1) DemonRat affiliation.......
When I made my reply, my old and frail grampa memory vaguely remembered her as a basic communist who hated capitalism and love free lunches for the poor voting cults of the Rats. Thanks for the confirmation.
.........please pass the chilled Cristal.........
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