Diane Humetewa
Arizona’s top federal prosecutor, Diane Humetewa, announced today she is stepping down from office, clearing the way for an appointee handpicked by the Obama administration.
Humetewa, the U.S. attorney for Arizona, took over the post in December 2007 in the wake of a still-unresolved scandal in which a number of federal prosecutors, including her predecessor, were fired by the Bush administration for political reasons. But despite open skepticism by some Democrats, Humetewa found her way through the fog to announce a number of high-profile prosecutions like that of former U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, R-Ariz., who has pleaded not guilty to corruption charges.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said her resignation will take effect Sunday.
Humetewa’s likely successor is Phoenix lawyer Dennis Burke, the former chief of staff to Gov. Janet Napolitano. The Whilte House announced Burke’s nomination earlier this month. He has yet to be confirmed by the Senate.
In a statement released by Humetewa’s office, Senator Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., praised the outgoing prosecutor as “groundbreaking” for being the first Native American woman to hold the office. “Diane leaves office with the respect of all law enforcement and the thanks of the nation she served,” Kyl said.