After months of speculation, four men have emerged as sure finalists in the bid to be Utah's new U.S. attorney.
Private attorneys David Jordan, Don Purser and Rod Snow are contenders for the job along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Parry.U.S. Sens. Jake Garn and Orrin Hatch interviewed each of the four men Saturday in Hatch's office.
Political watchers say Hatch, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, will have the biggest voice in selecting the man the Utah delegation recommends to President Bush as the U.S. attorney. But Hatch will choose a man Garn approves of.
Hatch seems to have learned a lesson in leisure since the last time he recommended a new U.S. attorney.
When former U.S. Attorney Brent Ward announced his resignation in 1989, Hatch waited less than a day before announcing that the Utah delegation would recommend his former aide, Dee Benson, to be Ward's replacement.
Hatch's hasty announcement and his close relationship with Benson sparked criticism from local media and area attorneys.
Hatch defended his decision to immediately recommend Benson without reviewing other candidates. "The editorials suggest that maybe I should have taken applications from many people, then appoint Dee anyway," he said at the time. "I announced it so quickly so that others would not have their hopes built up."
A month ago, Hatch interviewed 12 assistant U.S. attorneys in Benson's office to get their input on Benson's replacement.
Garn and Hatch also interviewed assistant U.S. attorney Paul Warner for Benson's job Saturday. But Warner told the senators what he has repeatedly told the public: He is not seeking the position.
"If offered the job, I wouldn't refuse it,"Warner said. "I continue to be mentioned for the job. I am flattered and honored by the consideration. But this isn't really the right time for me."
David J. Jordan, 38
Professional background: Graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1979; affiliated with the law firm of Van Cott, Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy since 1980; partner since 1985 specializing in litigation.
Why he wants to be U.S. attorney: "It's a tremendous professional opportunity for a trial lawyer like myself. I think it would be nice to have something at stake in a lawsuit other than just the private disputes of individual parties. I would look forward to the criminal work."
His agenda for U.S. attorney: Jordan advocates vigorous prosecution of drug and white-collar crimes. He would avoid politicizing the position of U.S. attorney and make certain grand jury powers are used judiciously.
- White-collar crime: "We need to make sure that Utah does not have the reputation of being a fraud capital. This needs to be a place where people can come to do honest business. That's important to the state's continued economic development."
- Grand juries: "The grand jury process has tremendous power to damage reputations and lives if it is misused. The very fact that someone has become the target of a grand jury investigation can destroy a career. It can destroy a life. Grand juries should not be used - and in some jurisdictions they have been - for political grandstanding or witch hunting.
"You don't use a grand jury for a fishing expedition." Grand jury powers should be used "only if you are confident you can get an indictment and a conviction."
Personal life: He is married to the former Holly Garrett. They have four children and live in Bountiful. A self-described "Army brat," Jordan was born at West Point and has lived in several parts of the United States.
Active in Republican politics, he has campaigned for the election of Gov. Norm Bangerter and the re-election of Hatch and Garn. He is well-acquainted with both senators.
Richard D. Parry, 39
Professional background: Graduated from Brigham Young University Law School; affiliated with Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue law firm in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1980 to 1983; affiliated with Berman & Anderson and Hansen and Anderson firms from 1983 to 1986; served as associate counsel for the Senate Iran Contra Committee in 1987; became assistant U.S. attorney to Brent Ward in December 1987; specializes in criminal work for the U.S. attorney's office, currently serving on the securities fraud task force.
Why he wants to be U.S. attorney: "I really like the direction the office has taken. I'm familiar with all of the programs in the office. I've worked on both the civil and criminal side. I know the agencies involved with the office, and I have a good relationship with them. I think I can continue to give the office the quality leadership it has had."
His agenda for U.S. attorney: Parry does not foresee any "drastic changes" from the way the office runs now.
Personal background: He is married to Stephanie Bean. They have four children and live in Sandy.
Parry developed a friendship with Hatch and Benson when he worked for the Senate Iran Contra Committee. Hatch served on the committee, which sent Parry to Honduras to interview the Contras.
His other interests include fishing and skiing.
Donald J. Purser, 37
Professional background: Graduated from the George Mason University School of Law; obtained postdoctorate degree from Georgetown Catholic University Law Center; served as special agent with the U.S. State Department for five years; captain in the U.S. Army Reserve; senior partner in the Purser, Okazaki and Berrett law firm; previously affiliated with Richards, Brandt, Miller & Nelson firm.
Why he wants to be U.S. attorney: As a special agent, Purser worked with eastern U.S. attorneys.
"I think I have a sensitivity for the needs of law enforcement agencies working with the U.S. attorney's office."
As a U.S. attorney, he says he could blend his work as a trial lawyer, his experience in federal law enforcement and his background in management. "I could bring these three experiences together and re-enter public service."
His agenda for U.S. attorney: Purser wants to coordinate local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to conserve resources where possible.
Purser would also make certain indictments are sought judiciously. "I respect the power of indictment and wouldn't want to see that abused."
Purser would review the state's drug enforcement policy in search of ways to further cut down on drug trafficking in the state.
"I consider myself a dark horse and haven't been presumptuous enough to create a final agenda," he said. A Catholic, Purser noted that the last three appointees to Utah's federal bench - all chosen by Hatch - have been members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The other three contenders for the vacancy are LDS.
Personal history: Purser is married to Dana Maddy. They have two children and live in Sandy. He grew up in Chicago's welfare system. His disabled father struggled to support the family by selling hotdogs on the street.
Purser came to Utah when he won a Navy ROTC scholarship to the University of Utah.
He has been active in state Republican politics, serving as the party chairman for the 2nd Congressional District last year and assisting in fund raising for the past several years. But his personal ties to Hatch are not strong.
Rodney G. Snow, 47
Professional background: Graduated from University of Utah College of Law; attorney for the Environmental Protection Agency from 1971 to 1973; served as assistant U.S. attorney from 1973 through 1976; affiliated with the Clyde, Pratt & Snow firm since 1977; currently a vice president in the firm; appointed special counsel for a 1986 Salt Lake County Special Grand Jury convened to investigate the Salt Lake County attorney's office and Utah Power & Light.
Why he wants to be U.S. attorney: "At this point in my career, I'd like an opportunity for three or four more years of public service. This would be one of the better jobs. I could have a substantial impact on the public in areas like drug education and drug prosecution."
As a former prosecutor and defense attorney for those charged with white-collar crimes, Snow believes he can bring to the office an understanding of both sides of a legal issue.
His agenda for U.S. attorney: "I would like to focus on complex crimes like bank fraud, savings and loan fraud, securities and tax crimes."
He says he would strengthen the office's analysis of cases before charges are filed. "I want to make sure we are absolutely fair to the people we run through the legal system, because it will grind them up. When people are charged with a crime, we are talking about potential lifetime devastation."
Personal history: He is married to Bobbie Moench. The couple has six children and lives in Salt Lake City. He is active in fund raising for the state Republican Party. Snow said he has no personal or professional ties to Hatch.
Snow's outside interests range from basketball and tennis to fly fishing and playing the violin.