U.S. Attorney McKay to become professor at Seattle University

John McKay, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, is going back to school.

McKay will become a visiting professor at the Seattle University Law School after he steps down Friday. McKay's decision was announced today in a news release issued by his office.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez still has not named an interim or permanent successor for McKay. A replacement must be in place by Monday to avoid disruptions to government prosecutions in the region.

A spokesman for the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. could not be reached for comment.

McKay announced last month that he had decided to step down as U.S. attorney after five years on the job.

Since then, McKay's departure has become the subject of intense speculation, due to a spate of reports suggesting that the White House had pushed several U.S. attorneys out of their jobs in recent months. The White House denied that it had orchestrated a purge, but declined to comment on whether McKay had been asked to leave.

McKay said last month he had stepped down to return to the private sector. Emily Langlie, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office, said McKay stood by that statement and would not comment further about his departure.

Several local law enforcement officials hailed McKay's service to the community in today's news release.

"The cooperation and support that U.S. Attorney John McKay has shown to local law enforcement and the Seattle Police Department has resulted not only in a safer community, but one in which people should feel that their civil rights are protected," said Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske.

David Bowermaster: 206-464-2724 or dbowermaster@seattletimes.com