Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 09/07/05

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

District Attorney Hires Circuit Environmental Prosecutor

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today the hiring of Wendy Skillman, a Circuit Prosecutor of Environmental Crimes for the California District Attorneys Association.

"Wendy brings a strong skill set and an outstanding reputation in the area of environmental prosecution." said District Attorney Passalacqua. Ms. Skillman earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from University of California, Santa Cruz, and she earned her law degree from the New England School of Law in Boston. Since 2003, Skillman has been the Circuit prosecutor for the Californian District Attorneys Association. She successfully handled environmental cases in rural counties throughout California, including Merced, Stanislaus, Mariposa, and King counties.

With the hiring of Skillman, Passalacqua has expanded the Environmental and Consumer Protection Unit to four attorneys. She joins prosecutors Jeff Holtzman, Matt Cheever, and Maria Leftwich. "Preserving our environment, and protecting consumers from fraud and false advertising are important priorities of our office." said District Attorney Passalacqua.