Denise O'Donnell
Encyclopedia
Denise O'Donnell is the Director of Justice Assistance at the US Department of Justice in the Obama Administration. She is also an attorney and Democratic
politician from Buffalo, New York
. She most recently served as New York State Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services and Assistant Secretary to the Governor for Criminal Justice in the Cabinet
of Gov. David Paterson
. She previously held the roles in the Cabinet of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer
.
She was a candidate in the 2006 Democratic primary for New York State Attorney General
. O'Donnell attended high school at Mt. St. Joseph Academy, and then studied at Canisius College
--both schools are located in Buffalo. Hers was the first graduating class from Canisius to include women. After graduating from college she worked for the New York City Department of Social Services. While doing so, she earned a Masters Degree in Social Work. After the birth of her two children, O'Donnell earned a Doctorate of Jurisprudence at the University at Buffalo Law School
, graduating second in her class.
In 1985, she became an Assistant United States Attorney
. In 1998, President Bill Clinton
appointed her the US Attorney for the Western District of New York
. While working for the US Attorney's office she worked on two particularly prominent cases. The first was the investigation into Oklahoma City
bomber and Pendleton, NY
native Timothy McVeigh
. She was also the leader in the successful prosecution of anti-abortion extremist James Kopp for the murder of obstratician
and abortion provider Barnett Slepian
. She was pushed out of her position as US attorney by the Bush administration before her term had ended. Many speculate that this was because the Bush administration was displeased with her efforts in prosecuting Kopp.
Since 2001, she has practiced with the firm Hodgson Russ LLP, has lectured and campaigned for the Attorney General's office. In late 2005, former United States Attorney General Janet Reno
announced her support for O'Donnell's campaign. She dropped out of the race for AG shortly after the Democratic convention where she received approximately ten-percent of the delegates' votes. In the announcement ending her candidacy she neglected to endorse any specific candidate for the Democratic nomination but, instead, emphasised her desire to see Eliot Spitzer
elected governor.
Spitzer announced her appointment as Criminal Justice Commissioner in January 2007. The New York State Senate
unanimously confirmed O'Donnell to the post March 21, 2007. As Criminal Justice Commissioner, O'Donnell oversaw the planning and analysis of criminal justice policies and services for state government.
She was appointed Assistant Secretary to the Governor for Criminal Justice on July 25, 2007 by Spitzer in the wake of a report by State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo
regarding the use of the State Police by Spitzer's staff to monitor the activities of Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. As Assistant Secretary, she served as the Governor's top criminal justice advisor and oversaw the State Police, Division of Parole
and the Department of Corrections. She also assisted in the development of statewide criminal justice and public safety policies and worked on homeland security efforts for the state.
Governor Paterson retained O'Donnell in his cabinet following his taking office on March 17, 2008.
O'Donnell resigned from the Paterson administration on February 25, 2010, following reports of alleged misconduct by Paterson and members of his administration. Paterson and the State Police were accused of improperly contacting the alleged victim of domestic abuse committed by David W. Johnson, a top aide to the governor. In her resignation, O'Donnell called "[such] actions unacceptable regardless of their intent," and said that the conduct was "particularly distressing" in an administration "that prides itself on its record of combating domestic violence."
She is married to John O'Donnell, a New York State Supreme Court Justice. Her son, Jack, is active in Democratic campaigns- having managed Denise O'Donnell's run and having advised that of Senator
Chuck Schumer in 1998. As of 2007 he ran a consulting firm known as O'Donnell and Associates.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician from Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. She most recently served as New York State Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services and Assistant Secretary to the Governor for Criminal Justice in the Cabinet
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
of Gov. David Paterson
David Paterson
David Alexander Paterson is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of New York, from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure he was the first governor of New York of African American heritage and also the second legally blind governor of any U.S. state after Bob C. Riley, who was Acting...
. She previously held the roles in the Cabinet of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American lawyer, former Democratic Party politician, and political commentator. He was the co-host of In the Arena, a talk-show and punditry forum broadcast on CNN until CNN cancelled his show in July of 2011...
.
She was a candidate in the 2006 Democratic primary for New York State Attorney General
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
. O'Donnell attended high school at Mt. St. Joseph Academy, and then studied at Canisius College
Canisius College
Canisius College is a private Roman Catholic college in Buffalo, New York, United States. The college was founded in 1870 by members of the Society of Jesus from Germany and is named after St. Peter Canisius. The college is one of 28 institutions in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and...
--both schools are located in Buffalo. Hers was the first graduating class from Canisius to include women. After graduating from college she worked for the New York City Department of Social Services. While doing so, she earned a Masters Degree in Social Work. After the birth of her two children, O'Donnell earned a Doctorate of Jurisprudence at the University at Buffalo Law School
University at Buffalo Law School
The University at Buffalo Law School, the State University of New York is a graduate professional school at the University at Buffalo. It is part of the State University of New York system and is the SUNY system's only law school. U.S...
, graduating second in her class.
In 1985, she became an Assistant United States Attorney
United States Attorney
United States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
. In 1998, President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
appointed her the US Attorney for the Western District of New York
United States District Court for the Western District of New York
The United States District Court for the Western District of New York is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises only a part of New York....
. While working for the US Attorney's office she worked on two particularly prominent cases. The first was the investigation into Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist bomb attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. It was the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives, including 19...
bomber and Pendleton, NY
Pendleton, New York
Pendleton is a town on the southern edge of Niagara County, New York, United States. It is east of the city of Niagara Falls and southwest of the city of Lockport. The population was 6,397 at the 2010 census.- History :...
native Timothy McVeigh
Timothy McVeigh
Timothy James McVeigh was a United States Army veteran and security guard who detonated a truck bomb in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995...
. She was also the leader in the successful prosecution of anti-abortion extremist James Kopp for the murder of obstratician
Obstetrics
Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
and abortion provider Barnett Slepian
Barnett Slepian
Barnett Slepian was an American physician and OB/GYN who was murdered in his home by anti-abortion militant James Charles Kopp....
. She was pushed out of her position as US attorney by the Bush administration before her term had ended. Many speculate that this was because the Bush administration was displeased with her efforts in prosecuting Kopp.
Since 2001, she has practiced with the firm Hodgson Russ LLP, has lectured and campaigned for the Attorney General's office. In late 2005, former United States Attorney General Janet Reno
Janet Reno
Janet Wood Reno is a former Attorney General of the United States . She was nominated by President Bill Clinton on February 11, 1993, and confirmed on March 11...
announced her support for O'Donnell's campaign. She dropped out of the race for AG shortly after the Democratic convention where she received approximately ten-percent of the delegates' votes. In the announcement ending her candidacy she neglected to endorse any specific candidate for the Democratic nomination but, instead, emphasised her desire to see Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American lawyer, former Democratic Party politician, and political commentator. He was the co-host of In the Arena, a talk-show and punditry forum broadcast on CNN until CNN cancelled his show in July of 2011...
elected governor.
Spitzer announced her appointment as Criminal Justice Commissioner in January 2007. The New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
unanimously confirmed O'Donnell to the post March 21, 2007. As Criminal Justice Commissioner, O'Donnell oversaw the planning and analysis of criminal justice policies and services for state government.
She was appointed Assistant Secretary to the Governor for Criminal Justice on July 25, 2007 by Spitzer in the wake of a report by State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Cuomo
Andrew Mark Cuomo is the 56th and current Governor of New York, having assumed office on January 1, 2011. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the 64th New York State Attorney General, and was the 11th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development...
regarding the use of the State Police by Spitzer's staff to monitor the activities of Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. As Assistant Secretary, she served as the Governor's top criminal justice advisor and oversaw the State Police, Division of Parole
Parole
Parole may have different meanings depending on the field and judiciary system. All of the meanings originated from the French parole . Following its use in late-resurrected Anglo-French chivalric practice, the term became associated with the release of prisoners based on prisoners giving their...
and the Department of Corrections. She also assisted in the development of statewide criminal justice and public safety policies and worked on homeland security efforts for the state.
Governor Paterson retained O'Donnell in his cabinet following his taking office on March 17, 2008.
O'Donnell resigned from the Paterson administration on February 25, 2010, following reports of alleged misconduct by Paterson and members of his administration. Paterson and the State Police were accused of improperly contacting the alleged victim of domestic abuse committed by David W. Johnson, a top aide to the governor. In her resignation, O'Donnell called "[such] actions unacceptable regardless of their intent," and said that the conduct was "particularly distressing" in an administration "that prides itself on its record of combating domestic violence."
She is married to John O'Donnell, a New York State Supreme Court Justice. Her son, Jack, is active in Democratic campaigns- having managed Denise O'Donnell's run and having advised that of Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Chuck Schumer in 1998. As of 2007 he ran a consulting firm known as O'Donnell and Associates.