Diane Humetewa

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Diane J. Humetewa (pronounced hoo-MEE-tee-wah) is the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, having served in that position since 2007. A member of the Hopi tribe, Humetewa is the first Native American woman to serve as a U.S. Attorney.[1][2]

Previously the Tribal Liaison and Senior Litigation Counsel in the office she now heads, Humetewa was recommended in January 2007 by both of Arizona's senators, John McCain and Jon Kyl, nominated by President George W. Bush in November and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona on 17 December 2007. The Investiture for Humetewa was held on 6 February 2008 at the Sandra Day O'Connor Courthouse in Phoenix.[3]

Humetewa was the permanent succeessor of Paul K. Charlton, whose dismissal on 7 December 2006 was a prominent aspect of the Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy in early 2007. Daniel G. Knauss had served as interim U.S. Attorney for one year. Knauss and Humetewa continued to pursue the criminal investigation of Congressman Rick Renzi (R-AZ), begun by Charlton in September 2006. Renzi was indicted on 22 February 2008.

Humetewa is considered a national expert on Native American legal issues and has instructed law enforcement and prosecutors. She has served since 2002 as a judge pro tem on the Hopi Tribal Appellate Court, and as an ad hoc member of the Native American Subcommittee of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Lynne Harlan. "Native people gain a new role model", Asheville Citizen-Times, 2007-11-23. Retrieved on 2008-02-22. 
  2. ^ "Do the right thing, Dems: Confirm Humetewa, now", East Valley Tribune, 2007-11-19. Retrieved on 2008-02-22. 
  3. ^ a b "Diane J. Humetewa sworn in as United States Attorney", United States Department of Justice, 2007-12-18. Retrieved on 2008-02-22. 
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