Jim Letten (DOJ)

New Orleans U.S. Attorney Jim Letten on Friday received an award for his integrity and success in winning convictions, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported.

The award was given by Crimefighters, an organization in Louisiana that provides free medical, psychological and legal assistance to crime victims.

“We’re beginning to turn the corner on corruption,” Letten said Friday after receiving the award. He also thanked “the people you don’t see,” who he said are deserving of the award.

Please send news of moves, promotions and honors to personnelchanges@mainjustice.com.

Attorney General Eric Holder today appointed three U.S. Attorneys to his Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC).

The group is an influential policy-making and advisory body that serves as the voice of U.S. Attorneys throughout the country.

The new members of the advisory panel are Sanford Coats, of the Western District of Oklahoma; Steven M. Dettelbach, of the Northern District of Ohio; and Jim Letten, of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

The Justice Department news release gave brief biographical data on each of the new members.

Holder noted that AGAC, which was created in 1973, provides advice to the attorney general on policy, management and operational matters affecting the U.S. Attorneys Offices.

The AGAC now has 15 members. Its chairman is B. Todd Jones, U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota.

Jim Letten (USDOJ)

Add Sen. Mary Landrieu to the list of senators frustrated with the administration’s ambling pace on U.S. Attorney nominations.

The Louisiana Democrat’s office is seeking clarification from the White House on U.S. Attorney Jim Letten’s status, nearly a year after President Barack Obama took office and eight months after Landrieu announced she wanted to keep the Republican-appointed prosecutor in place, reports The New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Earlier this month, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) also complained – for a second time – about lack of action on the North Dakota U.S. Attorney post.

The Obama administration has nominated or confirmed 42 U.S. Attorneys. By comparison, George W. Bush had nominated more than 60 U.S. Attorneys and Bill Clinton more than 70 by this point in their administrations.

The White House told Landrieu aides that Letten’s position is safe, the Times-Picayune reported on its blog:

Recently, Landrieu aides said they were told by the White House that Letten’s job is secure and that it’s unnecessary for the president to renominate him or the Senate to confirm him because he already holds the position.

“Jim Letten continues to serve as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana without being re-nominated by the President,” Justice Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz said in a statement to the newspaper.

In a blog posting, reporter Bruce Alpert said it was “unclear” what Schwartz meant and tried to provide an exegesis for readers.

“One possible explanation is that Landrieu staffers have been given misleading information and that the White House is considering replacing Letten,” Alpert wrote. Although Letten is a career prosecutor and not considered especially political, some Democrats in New Orleans are grumbling that “there are many qualified people not associated with the previous Republican administration who could do the job as effectively.”

The senator’s office said in a statement: ”Sen. Landrieu continues to stand behind Mr. Letten and is pleased that he continues to serve in the capacity of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District.”