People familiar with the Philadelphia U.S. Attorney selection process are pointing fingers at Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) for delays in candidate vetting, the Philadelphia Daily News reported today.

Arlen Specter (Gov)

The selection of a nominee for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania post is likely some time away, individuals familiar with the process told the Daily News. The Justice Department is reviewing several candidates for the job, because Specter and Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) were unable to agree on a single candidate to recommend to the White House last month, according to the newspaper.

Senators who are in the same party as the president traditionally make joint recommendations to the White House. This means the U.S. Attorney recommendations would have been in Casey’s hands before Specter switched parties in April. Specter was included in the selection process when he became a Democrat, complicating the matter, according to the Daily News.

A Specter spokesperson declined to comment to the newspaper. Larry Smar, a spokesperson for Casey, told the Daily News that he didn’t “have a sense of when a nomination will be made.”

The newspaper said the following lawyers are thought to be among the finalists for the U.S. Attorney post, which was held by Patrick Meehan, who resigned in July 2008 and is running for a House seat in Pennsylvania:

• Cheryl A. Krause, a partner at Dechert LLP and former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

• James Eisenhower, a partner at Schnader Harrison Segal and Lewis LLP and former Eastern District Assistant U.S. Attorney.

• J. Huntley Palmer of JP Morgan Chase & Co. and a former Eastern District Assistant U.S. Attorney.

The three possible finalists declined to comment to the Daily News.

This post has been corrected from an earlier version.

Western District of Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan will step down tomorrow, leaving office with one regret, the Pittsburgh CBS affiliate KDKA reported.

Mary Beth Buchanan (DOJ)

The controversial Bush holdover, who has served as U.S. Attorney since 2001 and also held a Justice Department position in Washington during the Bush years, told the television station that she wishes she never approved a plea deal with comedian Tommy Chong in a drug paraphernalia case called Operation Pipe Dream.

Chong, who starred in the “Cheech & Chong” movies, agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute drug paraphernalia through a family business to save his wife and son from prosecution. He was sentenced in 2003 to nine months in prison and was ordered to pay a fine. It isn’t clear from the KDKA article why Buchanan regretted the plea deal, but Chong’s prosecution had sparked protests by civil libertarians and ridicule for Buchanan’s office.

Buchanan told KDKA she had no regrets about another case that her critics questioned, the unsuccessful prosecution of former Allegheny County medical examiner Cyril Wecht.

Her office dismissed all charges against the Democratic defendant after a federal judge threw out evidence that he ruled was improperly obtained. Wecht’s supporters accused Buchanan of targeting him because of his politics. Former Attorney General Richard Thornburgh asked Attorney General Eric Holder to discipline Buchanan for “vindictivelyâ€� suggesting at a news conference that Wecht was guilty, but nothing ever came of the request – at least publicly.

Buchanan didn’t tell KDKA about her future plans, but said she is considering another public office. We reported that she might run for the Republican nomination to challenge  Rep. Jason Altmire (D), who represents Pennsylvania’s 4th congressional district.

Western District First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Cessar is slated to serve as acting U.S. Attorney until a successor to Buchanan is confirmed by the Senate, according to the television station. Pennsylvania Democratic Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey have yet to announce their recommendation for the post.

Mary Beth Buchanan (DOJ)

The resignation of Pittsburgh U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan could mean the White House is close to announcing her replacement. At least, that’s our take on this article today in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The newspaper’s interpretation is the other way around. It speculates that Buchanan has spurred the White House to move a nominee for Pennsylvania’s Western District through the announcement last week of her Nov. 16 departure.

But in our experience, the Bush holdovers who have been clinging to office (and their steady paychecks) long past their expiration date in the Obama administration let go only after the White House informs them their replacement is imminent.

At the same time, Buchanan apparently has her sights on elective office. Criticism from Democrats — not the imminence of her replacement — could be the explanation for her departure. She is reportedly considering a run for the Republican nomination to challenge Rep. Jason Altmire (D), who represents Pennsylvania’s 4th congressional district.

In her eight years as U.S. Attorney, Buchanan kicked up controversy on several fronts. She pursued prosecutions that critics said targeted Democrats, which she has denied. meantime, leadership roles she held at DOJ headquarters in Washington fueled suspicion she helped politicize the department during the Bush administration.

The White House has yet to announce a nominee for U.S. Attorney, although “preliminary vetting� by the Justice Department reportedly has begun. David Hickton, co-founder of transportation law firm Burns, White and Hickton, is believed to be the favorite of Democratic Sens. Bob Casey and Arlen Specter, news reports have said.

Attorney David Hickton (Burns, White and Hickton)

Ken Gormley, interim dean of Duquesne University School of Law, told The Tribune-Review: “Clearly the issue has moved to the front burner of the White House,” adding, “It’s enough time and will probably spur the White House onward to expedite the process — if not for the whole country, at least for Western Pennsylvania because it requires a decision now.” However, “It’s not completely unusual for these things to take a period of time.”

Fred Thieman, a U.S. Attorney during the Clinton administration, told The Tribune-Review the nomination process has been slowed because of increased scrutiny of presidential appointees. “There’s more pre-announcement vetting than there used to be.”

Mary Beth Buchanan (Steve Pope)

Pittsburgh U.S Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan will resign from her post on Nov. 16, The Associated Press reports. Buchanan has served as the district’s head prosecutor since September 2001. Although she did not announce her plans, Buchanan reportedly is considering a run for the Republican nomination to challenge  Rep. Jason Altmire (D), who represents Pennsylvania’s 4th congressional district.

Buchanan has been criticized by Democrats who claim she helped politicize the Justice Department under President George W. Bush. While serving as U.S Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, she simultaneously worked as a senior official in various positions at DOJ headquarters in Washington.

Buchanan also has been accused of targeting Democrats for prosecution, which she has denied, and recently came under fire from a federal public defender for her handling of privileged telephone conversations between inmates at the Allegheny County Jail and their lawyers that were inadvertently recorded.

Although “preliminary vetting” by DOJ has begun for Buchanan’s replacement, no nominee has been announced. David Hickton, co-founder of transportation law firm Burns, White and Hickton, is believed to be the favorite of Democratic Sens. Bob Casey and Arlen Specter, news reports have said.

Another controversial Bush-era U.S. Attorney is mulling a run for higher office.  The Western District of Pennsylvania’s Mary Beth Buchanan is considering a bid for a House seat, according to Jim Roddey, the head of Allegheny County’s Republican Party, told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Mary Beth Buchanan (Steve Pope)

Buchanan wore multiple hats in the Bush administration, serving as the district’s top federal prosecutor since 2001 while simultaneously holding leadership positions at Department of Justice headquarters in Washington. She headed the Executive Office of United States Attorneys From 2004 to 2005, and came under scrutiny in the House Judiciary Committee’s investigation of events leading up to the 2006 U.S. Attorney firings. Democrats have also accused her of targeting Democrats for prosecution.

Last November Buchanan told local reporters she would not voluntarily step down. Roddey told The Post-Gazette that Buchanan should resign if she announces her candidacy. (Well, we’d guess so.)

If Buchanan ran, she’d join former White House aide and ex-interim Eastern Arkansas U.S. District Attorney Tim Griffin — another figure from U.S. Attorney firings scandal — in running for the House. Griffin has begun raising money for the GOP nomination against Democratic Rep. Vic Snyder in Little Rock. And former New Jersey U.S. Attorney Chris Christie (R) is locked in an acrimonious battle for governor against the incumbent, Gov. Jon Corzine (D).

Also in Pennsylvania, the Bush-appointed former U.S. Attorney in Philadelphia, Patrick Meehan, is running for the House seat being vacated by Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), who is mounting a Democratic primary challenge against party-switching Sen. Arlen Specter next year.

Pennsylvania Democratic Sens. Specter and Bob Casey are in charge of recommending a Democratic replacement for Buchanan to President Barack Obama. But they have yet to make any announcements.

Roddey told The Post-Gazette that Buchanan has been weighing a challenge to  Rep. Jason Altmire (D), who represents Pennsylvania’s 4th congressional district, for at least a month. In addition, Buchanan is consulting with state and national GOP leaders to gauge party support and her chances are of winning, Roddey told The Post-Gazette.

Buchanan’s chances are 50-50, Roddey told The Post-Gazette, adding, “She’s in the exploratory phase right now. It will take at least a million dollars to run, so that’s a big consideration.” Roddey also told The Post-Gazette, “[Ms. Buchanan has] certainly got the name recognition, and I think a woman could do well in that district. And she’s a fresh face. … It’s generally a conservative area. A lot of them are now concerned that Obama may be a little too liberal for them. You never know. It’s still a long way to go, but I know she would be a viable candidate.”

Former Department of Homeland Security official Keith Rothfus is planning to run for the Republican nomination in the 4th district. And Mike Turzai, the  state House Whip, has been mentioned as a possible candidate.

A former federal prosecutor and an ex-public defender have emerged as possible candidates to be the next Middle District of Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney, The Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., reported today.

Gerard Karam (Mazzoni & Karam)

Peter J. Smith, an ex-Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Gerard Karam, former chief public defender for Lackawanna County, Pa., are being considered for the post, “several legal sources” told the newspaper. A screening panel — created by Democratic Pennsylvania Sens. Bob Casey and Arlen Specter — started interviewing U.S. Attorney candidates for the Eastern, Middle and Western districts in July. Casey told The Times-Tribune in Scranton that he and Specter will make their recommendations to President Obama soon.

Smith appears to be the leading candidate for the post, according to The Times-Tribune. He has close ties to Casey, having worked for Casey when he was Pennsylvania’s treasurer and auditor general. Smith was also inspector general for Casey’s father, Bob Casey Sr., when he was Pennsylvania governor.

Karam is also a strong contender for the position, according to The Times Leader. He is a partner at Scranton law firm Mazzoni & Karam.

Dennis Pfannenschmidt (DOJ)

We previously reported that Middle District interim U.S. Attorney Dennis Pfannenschmidt was not looking for a permanent appointment. He replaced Martin C. Carlson, a Bush administration appointee who stepped down last month to become a U.S. magistrate judge in Harrisburg, Pa.

Dennis Pfannenschmidt became the interim U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania after Martin C. Carlson resigned Saturday, according to a news release from the office today.

Carlson, a Bush holdover, began as interim U.S. Attorney for the office in May 2001. He is leaving to become a U.S. magistrate judge in Harrisburg, Pa., The Times Leader reported.

Carlson oversaw a corruption probe in Luzerne County that led to charges against two former county judges for taking millions of dollars in kickbacks to sentence youth offenders to a for-profit rehabilitation center. The probe also snared two high-ranking county court officials, a prominent attorney, three public school officials and a sewer authority employee.

Pfannenschmidt is a 20-year veteran of the office. He has held numerous leadership positions in the office, serving most recently as the civil division chief.

Pfannenschmidt will serve until the Senate confirms a replacement nominated by President Obama. A Pennsylvania nominating commission has reached an agreement on several U.S. Attorney candidates for Sens. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) to recommend to the White House. But the panel hasn’t divulged names yet. Read our previous report here.

Former Eastern District of Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan said he is “seriously considering” a run for Congress, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Saturday.

Patrick Meehan (DOJ)

Meehan, a Republican, is eying the House seat being vacated by Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), who is mounting a Democratic primary challenge against party-switching Sen. Arlen Specter next year. The Bush-appointed former prosecutor was previously considering a run for Pennsylvania governor in 2010.

Meehan served as the Philadelphia-based Eastern District’s top prosecutor from September 2001 until July 2008, when he resigned to explore a bid for governor. His deputy, Laurie Magid picked up the reins as interim U.S. Attorney. But Magid abruptly resigned in May, a month before her 120-day interim appointment was about to expire.

Laurie Magid (DOJ)

Magid reportedly wasn’t going to be reappointed by a district court amid controversy over a Justice Department Office of Inspector General investigation into her fund raising activities for Meehan and a negative DOJ review of her management. She held a $250-a-person fund-raiser earlier this year in her home for Meehan, who was eying the governorship at the time.  Jeff Miller, her husband, technically hosted the event and it was cleared by the Office of Special Counsel in Washington. But 20 prosecutors that Magid supervises were “invited.â€� Read our previous report here.

Interim U.S. Attorney Michael Levy replaced Magid and made several changes to his office’s leadership in June. Read our previous post here.

A Pennsylvania nominating commission has reached agreement on several U.S. Attorney candidates for Specter and Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) to recommend to the White House. But the panel hasn’t divulged names yet. Read our previous report here.

A Pennsylvania nominating commission has reached an agreement on several candidates to replace the state’s U.S. Attorneys but a panel co-chair refused to divulge any names, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported today.

Tom Kline (Kline & Specter)

Committee chair Tom Kline told the newspaper that his committee settled on  a number of “qualified candidates” to succeed Eastern District Interim U.S. Attorney Michael Levy, Middle District U.S. Attorney Martin C. Carlson and Western District U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan.

Kline, a lawyer with Philadelphia personal injury law firm Kline & Specter, co-chairs the 16-member panel with colleague Shanin Specter, the son of Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.). Last week, the committee interviewed more than 40 candidates for the different posts. Read our previous post here.

Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Arlen Specter will submit U.S. Attorney recommendations to the White House once they receive the panel’s finalists.

Interviews for candidates hoping to snag one of the three U.S. Attorney positions in Pennsylvania will begin this Friday, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Senator Specter and Casey Discuss US Airways proposed cuts in Pittsburgh (senate.gov)

While the U.S. Attorney selection process in Pennsylvanie is very secretive, the Post-Gazette does know that there are over 40 candidates applying for the Western, Middle, and Eastern District positions.  Pennsylvania’s Democratic Senators, Bob Casey and Arlen Specter, have selected 16 members to serve on the panel conducting the interviews.

The Post-Gazette also reported the names of some of the candidates believed to be applying to replace U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan in the Western District:

• Allegheny County Deputy District Attorney Bruce Beemer
• Attorney Efrem M. Grail with Reed Smith LLP
• Attorney David Hickton of Burns, White & Hickton
• Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman
• Assistant U.S. Attorney Tina O. Miller

Responding to the controversy surrounding Buchanan, Paul Titus, an attorney who has served on state committees to name both judges and federal prosecutors, assured the Post-Gazette that ”I did not detect that politics played any role” in the selection of U.S. Attorneys; ”We tried to purposely stay away from that. We wanted to come up with the best names for the position.”  Titus also indicated that federal prosecutors who had been in private practice make “good candidate[s],” as opposed to career prosecutors.

Laurie Magid (usdoj)

We previously reported that rumored candidates to take over the Eastern District include: Lynne Abraham, James G. Colins, Ken Trujillo, Amy Kurland, Walter M. Phillips Jr., James Eisenhower, Jack Stollsteimer, Geoff Moulton, Huntley J. Palmer Jr., Michael Levy, Elizabeth Ainslie, Jane Cutler Greenspan, A. Roy DeCaro, and L.C. Wright.  The interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District is Michael Levy, who took over after interim U.S. Attorney Laurie Magid resigned amid controversy over a DOJ IG investigation into her fund raising activities for her predecessor U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan, and a negative DOJ review of her management.  Magid had only been holding the post since February, when she was appointed to succeed Meehan, who resigned last July.  Meehan is currently eyeing the Republican nomination for governor of Pennsylvania, returning some suspect campaign contibutions last week.

The committee will be reviewing 30-question applications, with resumes, and attached legal briefs and opinions.  In past years, interviews have taken place over two rounds, and each applicant has gotten 20-40 minutes of face-time with the panel.