FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AG
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1998 (202) 616-2777
TDD (202) 514-1888
FRANCES FRAGOS TOWNSEND PICKED TO HEAD OFFICE OF INTELLIGENCE POLICY AND REVIEW AT JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Attorney General Janet Reno today announced the appointment of Frances Fragos Townsend, Counsel in charge of the Office of Intelligence Policy and Review (OIPR) at the Department of Justice.
OIPR provides legal advice and recommendations to the Attorney General regarding national security matters; reviews executive orders, directives and procedures relating to the intelligence community; and approves certain intelligence-gathering activities.
"Fran has the right stuff for this job," said Reno. "Her experience as a federal prosecutor and her management skills in the international crime fighting area will help this vital office prepare for the next century's challenges."
Mrs. Townsend began her prosecutorial career in 1985 as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, New York. In 1988, she joined the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, where she focused on international organized crime and white collar crime cases.
In August of 1991, she was detailed for nine months to the Office of Attorney General Dick Thornburg to assist in establishing the newly created Office of International Programs, the predecessor to the Executive Office for National Security. In December 1993, she joined the Criminal Division as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Attorney General and played a critical part in establishing the Division's international training and rule of law programs.
From November of 1995 to November of 1997, Mrs. Townsend was Director of the Office of International Affairs (OIA) in the Criminal Division, an office of 80 staff members divided into four teams by region of the world. OIA serves as the U.S. Central Authority for extradition and mutual legal assistance, and works with the Department of State in the negotiation of international law enforcement treaties. Since November of 1997, Mrs. Townsend has served as Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General (DAAG) where she oversees international law enforcement matters in the Criminal Division including OIA, the Office of Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training, and the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program.
In addition to her duties as DAAG, Mrs. Townsend also acts as an advisor to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General on international law enforcement policy.
Mrs. Townsend will replace Gerald A. Schroeder, who has been Acting Counsel of OIPR since June of 1997. He succeeded James G. McAdams III, who returned to the U.S Attorney's Office in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Mrs. Townsend received her B.A. at The American University in 1982, and her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1984. In 1986, she attended the Institute on International and Comparative Law in London, England. Mrs. Townsend is married to John M. Townsend, a senior partner at Hughes Hubbard and Reed's Washington D.C. office. They have one son, James Egan.
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