Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 05/21/2008

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

DISTRICT ATTORNEY RECOGNIZES MEMBERS OF STAFF FOR EXCELLENCE

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced that the 4th Annual District Attorney Pride Luncheon was recently held.  This luncheon recognizes and praises the hard work of members of the DA’s office and highlights their dedication to the Sonoma County community during 2007. The Office uses a court holiday to take the time out of an otherwise busy schedule so staff can reflect on the past year’s achievements and give thanks to their co-workers.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, "I'm very proud of the dedicated professionals in my office who strive to keep Sonoma County residents safe and see that they are treated fairly and with dignity in the criminal justice system.  This annual event gives us the opportunity recognize excellence during the past year."

Deputy District Attorney Chuck Arden was honored by the District Attorney with the Gene L. Tunney Professional Integrity Award this year.  This award is named after retired Sonoma County District Attorney who held office from 1974 to 1995.  Chuck was honored with this award for his lengthy career of public service, 23 years to date, which has been marked by his steady professionalism, dependability and dedication to the highest ethical standards.

Deputy District Attorney Tashawn Sanders, was awarded the Prosecutor of the Year Award for Special Prosecutions.   DDA Sanders successfully handled several serious domestic violence,  sexual assault and child molest prosecutions during 2007, successfully obtaining guilty jury verdicts.  As Team Leader for the Special Victims Unit, she serves as a positive, poised and committed role model for the other prosecutors.

The Larry J. Scoufus Trial Advocacy Award was presented to Deputy District Attorney Barry McBride.  This award is named after retired Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos who served as a prosecutor for 30 years in the District Attorney’s Office and is given in recognition of outstanding trial skills combined with passion, dedication and professionalism in the pursuit of justice.  DDA McBride, who recently completed a term on the homicide team and has been serving as Team Leader of the Felony Trial team, completed several trials during 2007, including two jury trials resulting in murder convictions.  One of the trials, People v. Sims, was a particularly complex trial.

Deputy District Attorney Mark Urioste accepted the Misdemeanor Prosecutor of the Year Award for  successfully handling of a number of jury trials during the course of the year and demonstrating his passion for becoming a superior  career prosecutor. The Greg Jacobs Public Service Awards, named after the Assistant District Attorney who retired three years ago after 31 years in the office, were presented to Accounting Technician Janice Goodman, Department Analyst Joanie Pierce, Information Specialist John Magsamen and Legal Assistant Mary Reece.

The Outstanding Victim Support Awards were given to Kathleen Podhurst, Vicki Dodson and Sandra Arevalo for their dedication to assisting victims of crime.

Excellence in Support Services Awards were received by Legal Processors Michelle Menzies, Jon Brodick, Andrea Stephens and Marian Barbieri.

Investigator of the Year Award was presented to Dave Boffi for his outstanding work in ensuring thorough and complete investigations, testifying as an expert witness in domestic violence cases, and training and participating in outreach on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office.

The District Attorney’s Special Recognition Award was given to Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Brady.  Chief DDA Brady was singled out for this award because of his outstanding performance as the supervisor of the homicide, gang and juvenile units for the last several years.  He has put in countless hours responding to crime scenes and overseeing these complex and high priority cases, bringing consistency to the handling of homicide and officer-involved fatality cases.