Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 06/07/05

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards — 565-3099 District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua — 565-3098

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

DISTRICT ATTORNEY APPOINTS NEW CHIEF DEPUTIES

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that he has promoted prosecutors Christine Cook and Spencer Brady to Chief Deputy District Attorney. Their selections come after a lengthy recruitment process involving an oral board consisting of District Attorney George Kennedy of Santa Clara County and District Attorney Grover Trask of Riverside County. Kennedy has been the District Attorney of Santa Clara since 1990 and Trask has been the District Attorney of Riverside County since 1983.

Christine Cook earned her law degree from Boston University in 1992. Prior to joining the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office in January 1997, Ms. Cook was a Captain in the Judge Advocate General Corps for the United States Army in the 25th Infantry Division, where she gained prosecutorial experience. She currently is assigned as a Team Leader for the Gang Unit in the office. Spencer Brady earned his law degree from Brigham Young University in 1992. Prior to joining the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office in January 1993, he was a Deputy District Attorney for Yolo County. He is currently assigned to the Homicide Unit in the office. Both Cook and Brady have successfully handled significant cases for the District Attorneys Office. They have the respect of law enforcement and the Judiciary.

"I am extremely proud to have two individuals of their caliber join our management team. Chief Deputy Cook and Chief Deputy Brady bring a wealth of experience to their new roles," said District Attorney Passalacqua. The two chief deputy vacancies were created with the retirement of Chief Deputy Kathy DeLoe and the promotion of Larry Scoufos to Assistant District Attorney.