U.S. Department of Justice

Executive Office for United States Trustees

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

July 19, 2004

RICHARD E. BYRNE APPOINTED AS

CHIEF OF CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT UNIT

FOR UNITED STATES TRUSTEE PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Richard E. Byrne has been appointed as Chief of the United States Trustee Program's Criminal Enforcement Unit, it was announced today by Lawrence Friedman, Director of the Executive Office for United States Trustees. The Criminal Enforcement Unit leads the Program's efforts to identify criminal conduct within the bankruptcy system and assist U.S. Attorneys in prosecuting bankruptcy crimes. Byrne's appointment takes effect on July 25, 2004.

"We are extremely fortunate that Richard Byrne is joining the U.S. Trustee Program as Chief of the Program's Criminal Enforcement Unit," Friedman stated. "The Unit has made significant accomplishments in the past year in promoting the integrity of the bankruptcy system. Richard Byrne, using his expertise in both prosecution and management, will lead the Unit as it continues to grow and thrive in coordination with our civil enforcement and consumer protection initiatives."

"I am privileged to have this opportunity, and I look forward to building upon the great work accomplished by the Criminal Enforcement Unit over the past year," Byrne stated.

Immediately before his appointment, Byrne served as Chief of Staff for the Department of Justice's Executive Office for United States Attorneys, supervising the operations of EOUSA and its approximately 450 employees in support of the 94 U.S. Attorneys' offices. Prior to that, Byrne served as Interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois in East St. Louis, Ill.; as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida in Miami; and as a Trial Attorney in the Department's Antitrust Division. He has tried several dozen criminal cases and has extensive experience in managing prosecutors and directing long-term investigations and prosecutions.

Byrne is a frequent lecturer on complex white-collar prosecutions, financial investigations, and related topics. He received his law degree with honors in 1988 from Duke University School of Law, and his undergraduate degree with honors in 1985 from the University of Notre Dame.

The U.S. Trustee Program is a component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws.

Contact: Jane Limprecht, Public Information Officer

Executive Office for U.S. Trustees

(202) 305-7411

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