U.S. Attorney John McKay announces resignation

U.S. Attorney John McKay, the Justice Department's top lawyer in Western Washington, said today he will resign next month to return to the private sector.

The announcement came the same day McKay was notified that he would not be nominated to be a federal judge in Seattle, but the timing was purely coincidental, he said. McKay had hoped to fill the position created by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour's elevation to senior status.

"I'm disappointed I didn't get the judgeship, but I'm excited about the new opportunities," he said.

McKay was nominated to the job by President Bush on Sept. 19, 2001, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Oct. 24 of that year. During his tenure, his office handled the sentencing of terrorist Ahmed Ressam, the indictment of an alleged eco-terrorism ring responsible for the firebombing of the University of Washington's horticulture center, and the prosecution of those responsible for building the first tunnel discovered under the U.S.-Canada border.

McKay said his resignation would take effect Jan. 26. He said he has no immediate plans for the future, but would begin speaking with law firms after he steps down and would probably take time off before starting a new job.

"I have been privileged to serve President Bush, and the people of Western Washington as United States attorney. Our work in the United States attorneys office has increased the safety and security of our community, while carefully safeguarding civil rights," McKay said in a news release.

Before his appointment, McKay was president of Legal Services Corp., in Washington, D.C., a private nonprofit corporation that provides legal representation for low-income Americans.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez has the authority to appoint an interim U.S. attorney whose term lasts until a permanent replacement can be nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

McKay said his greatest regret was that the assassination of 18-year Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Crane Wales, who was shot to death less than a month after McKay was nominated, remains unsolved.