Brooke County accepts grant to fund special attorney post
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WELLSBURG - Brooke County will be getting some assistance in the prosecution of various high-profile cases.
County Commissioners, at the request of Prosecuting Attorney Allison Cowden, agreed to accept a Special Attorney Program Grant Tuesday, made available through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs.
Cowden explained her office was contacted in September and was informed the county had been selected for a grant of $379,140 to fund the staffing of a special assistant United States Attorney to represent the county and be stationed at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, for up to three years.
"The purpose of that is for Brooke County to have a representative at the United States Attorney’s Office to assist us in various aspects of crime here in Brooke County," Cowden said, noting the position would address drug cases, as well as those involving fraud and human trafficking, among others.
Cowden noted two such cases which originated in Brooke County recently received indictments in federal court, with the U.S. Attorney and FBI assisting on a current investigation. Cowden also recently was contacted by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, offering assistance on another case.
"These are cases that often extend beyond county lines," First Assistant United States Attorney Chris Prezioso told commissioners. "We really value our partnership with Brooke County."
According to Prezioso, the grant program is being offered across the nation, with Brooke County among the first recipients of the funding.
The selected individual will be established as an employee of Brooke County, with the grant reimbursing the county for its costs for the term of the employment contract.
"The grant covers the salary of this Assistant United States Attorney plus benefits," Cowden said, noting a candidate already has been identified and is in the process of going through security clearances. "It’s a great opportunity."
The grant will also support an additional 20% in funding to cover certain costs which may be incurred as part of casework performed by the county prosecutor’s office in relation to the position.
Prezioso expressed appreciation for Cowden and her staff, noting the number of cases going through the office, as well as the work done in cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other federal agencies.
"She has consistently handled very important cases, a high volume amount of cases and high complexity cases," he said. "We’ve had a lot of success between our two offices, and there’s a lot more to come."
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)