Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 08/24/04

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

District Attorney Hires Top Female Prosecutor

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today the hiring of new prosecutor Claire Keithley. Keithley has been a prosecutor since 1995 in Butte County where she has handled gang and homicide cases as well as narcotic cases. The California Narcotics Association selected her as Prosecutor of the Year in 2001.

Keithley earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California, Berkeley, and earned her law degree from the University of San Diego. District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua said, "She is well-respected throughout the state as an outstanding career prosecutor."

Claire Keithley received recognition for forming a Drug Endangered Children unit for Butte County and for developing similar programs in other counties throughout the state. The Drug Endangered Children Program focuses on children as victims of drug environments. Keithley is a lecturer for the California District Attorney’s Association. She will begin her employment with Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office in early September.