PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
December 22, 2004

KELLY BEAUDIN STAPLETON APPOINTED U.S. TRUSTEE

FOR DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Kelly Beaudin Stapleton of Indiana, Pa., has been appointed United States Trustee for Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey (Region 3), it was announced today by Lawrence Friedman, Director of the Executive Office for United States Trustees. Ms. Stapleton's appointment takes effect on January 9, 2005.

"Ms. Stapleton is an experienced commercial litigator as well as a former prosecutor," Mr. Friedman stated. "This is an essential combination of skills for the U.S. Trustee Program's Region 3, which has one of the highest Chapter 11 filing rates in the nation as well as a continuing record of active, effective civil and criminal enforcement."

"I am honored to be appointed U.S. Trustee for a region with such a challenging and complex case load," Ms. Stapleton stated. "As a former prosecutor, the elimination of fraud and abuse from the bankruptcy system is of compelling interest to me. I look forward to working toward that goal under the leadership of Director Friedman and with the region's excellent career staff."

Immediately before joining the U.S. Trustee Program, Ms. Stapleton practiced law with firms in Philadelphia and Indiana, Pa., with an emphasis upon commercial litigation. Prior to that, she was assistant counsel for the Allegheny Health, Education, and Research Foundation in Philadelphia, handling all in-house litigation as well as development of the foundation's code of ethics and employee ethics training. She has also served as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia.

Among other professional and community activities, Ms. Stapleton has served as a member of the Pennsylvania Lawyer's Fund for Client Security Board, the United States Attorney/United States Marshall Review Panel for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the Advisory Board of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Stapleton received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., and her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Los Angeles.

The United States Trustee Program is the 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 3 is headquartered in Philadelphia with additional offices in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pa.; Wilmington, Del.; and Newark, N.J.

Contact: Jane Limprecht, Public Information Officer

Executive Office for U.S. Trustees

(202) 305-7411

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