Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2009

SCHUMER RECOMMENDS WILLIAM HOCHUL TO BE THE NEXT U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

Hochul Is Currently An Assistant U.S. Attorney And Head Of The Office's National Security Division

Schumer, Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that has Jurisdiction of U.S. Attorney Confirmations, Made His Recommendation to President Obama

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced he has recommended William Hochul to be the next U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York. Hochul is currently an Assistant U.S. Attorney and is the head of the Western District’s National Security Division. The Western District encompasses the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates. Hochul has served the Western District since 1991.

“Mr. Hochul has had a long and distinguished career in public service,” said Schumer. “His exceptional, innovative legal mind, his commitment to justice, and his extensive experience will make him an outstanding U.S. Attorney for the Western District.”

Prior to his service as an Assistant United States Attorney in Buffalo, Hochul was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Washington, where he tried cases from homicide to narcotics. Since moving to Buffalo he has won numerous awards, including the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service. In Buffalo, Hochul has taken on gang-related murder cases, tackled the corruption of Laborers Local 91, and successfully convicted the infamous Lackawanna Six.

Schumer is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee which handles the confirmation of U.S. Attorneys. For the other U.S. Attorney posts in New York State, Schumer recommended Preet Bharara for the Southern District, Loretta Lynch for the Eastern District, and Richard Hartunian for Northern District. All four posts are currently filled by Acting U.S. Attorneys.

Hochul received his B.A. in 1981 from the University of Notre Dame and his J.D. from the State University of New York At Buffalo in 1984.

###

Resource Center