EENIE, MEENIE, MINEY, MO
It’s spin-the-wheel time for those prognosticating as to who could fill the top job as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. While U.S. attorneys are part of the federal workforce, the top-dog position is a political appointment. Word is about a baker’s dozen are interested in the position, from experienced prosecutors to former congressmen. Among those peddling flesh for the position are current Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido, who told The Detroit News he is interested in both the U.S. Attorney position and in running for state attorney general in 2026. Then there is former Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyka, currently of counsel for Troy law firm Giamarco, Mullins & Horton, who specializes in criminal defense and civil litigation. As Oakland County Prosecutor he successfully prosecuted notorious “Dr. Death,” Jack Kevorkian, a case of murder on the set of the “Jenny Jones Show,” and Nathaniel Abraham, convicting him of murder at the age of 11. “It would be a good way to cap my career since the 12 years I spent as Oakland County Prosecutor were the most rewarding years of my professional career,” Gorcyca told The Detroit News. Another name being floated is former Congressman and former state Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop of Rochester, who recently was general counsel of the Michigan Republican Party under Pete Hoekstra. He currently is president and founder of American General Counsel, a law firm that outsources general counsel services. A few current Assistant U.S. Attorneys names are being bandied about for the top job in the office – just as recent U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison was elevated under former President Joe Biden. Ison submitted her resignation in January, with Julie Beck serving as interim U.S. Attorney, and she is not expected to stay permanently in the position. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Martin, Jerome Gorgon and Paul Kuebler are said to be seeking the office’s top spot. Martin is the national security unit chief, and worked to prosecute the notorious “Underwear Bomber.” Gorgon has been with the office for 15 years and has a long string of criminal convictions. Kuebler has been in the office for 11 years, prosecuting drug and corruption cases. The last Republican U.S. Attorney appointed under President Donald Trump, Matthew Schneider, has told colleagues he is not interested in returning to the office. He is working to help find the next new leader. Congressional leaders submit potential candidates to the White House.