For Immediate Release
January 6, 2003

DIANE E. TEBELIUS APPOINTED U.S. TRUSTEE FOR
WASHINGTON, OREGON, MONTANA, IDAHO, ALASKA

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Diane E. Tebelius has been appointed United States Trustee for Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Alaska (Region 18) effective December 30, 2002, it was announced today by Lawrence Friedman, Director of the Executive Office for United States Trustees.

"It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of Diane Tebelius as United States Trustee for Region 18," Friedman stated. "Her extensive experience in both civil and criminal enforcement, including more than 15 years as an Assistant United States Attorney in Seattle, will prove invaluable to the Program as we strive to ensure the integrity of the bankruptcy system."

"It is an honor to be named as United States Trustee," Tebelius stated. "I am eager to work with the talented staff of Region 18, under the leadership of Director Friedman, to carry out the Attorney General's mandate to root out fraud and abuse from the bankruptcy system."

Tebelius has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Seattle since 1986, focusing on tax and bankruptcy fraud cases. She was an attorney in the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., from 1983 to 1986, and Special Counsel to the U.S. Senate Budget Committee from 1981 to 1983.

Since 1989, Tebelius has been an adjunct faculty member at Golden Gate University's Graduate Tax Program in Seattle, where she received the Outstanding Faculty Award. She is a frequent lecturer on tax and bankruptcy matters. Her professional and community activities have included serving as Chair of the Equal Justice Coalition for the Washington State Bar Association, on the Bankruptcy Rules Committee for the Western District of Washington, on the Board of Childhaven, and as Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Kingdome in Seattle.

Tebelius received a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in Costa Mesa, Calif.; a Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.; and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Walla Walla College in Washington.

The United States Trustee Program is a component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws.

The Program has 21 regions and 95 field offices. Region 18 is headquartered in Seattle, with offices in Spokane, Wash.; Portland and Eugene, Ore.; Boise, Idaho; Great Falls, Mont.; and Anchorage, Alaska.

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