W&L Alum Confirmed as U.S. Attorney
The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Washington and Lee law alumnus R. Booth Goodwin II (Class of 1996) as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia. Formerly an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the office since 2001, Booth was nominated by President Obama in January.
In announcing the confirmation, both West Virginia U.S. senators cited the role Booth and his office will have in the investigations of the recent tragedy at the Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, W.Va. “There are a variety of investigations taking place which require immediate attention — including the recent mine disaster in Montcoal which took the lives of 29 West Virginia coal miners. I believe the people of the southern coalfields deserve the competent and vigilant representation that Mr. Goodwin will bring to the table,” Sen. Robert C. Byrd said in a statement.
In an article in the Charleston Gazette, Booth cited his particular interest in the issue of mortgage fraud. “That’s a key initiative by the Department of Justice, and that’s something we’ll be looking very closely at as well,” he said.
In 2007, Booth received a U.S. Department of Justice Director’s Award for his directions of a case involving political corruption in Logan County. The four-year investigation resulted in nine convictions, including convictions of senior county officials and politicians.
Booth is a native of Ripley, W.Va., and received his bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University.
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