The acting head of the Drug Enforcement Administration has emerged as the frontrunner to be the component’s next permanent chief, Ticklethewire.com reported today.
Michele Leonhart (DOJ)
Michele Leonhart, who has been acting DEA administrator since November 2007, has appeared to move ahead of three other people the White House has interviewed for the post, according to the news Web site.
We reported in August that the White House had also interviewed FBI deputy director John Pistole, Southern District of New York Assistant U.S. Attorney Boyd M. Johnson III and former San Diego U.S. Attorney Greg A. Vega.
Pistole was considered to be the front-runner at the time of our previous report.
According to the Web site, Leonhart, who became a DEA agent in 1980, rose through the ranks and was named deputy administrator in 2004. In November 2007, she was named acting administrator.
A DEA spokesperson declined to comment to Ticklethewire.com.
CONGRADULATONS. Tony