NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Todd Hallidy

Phone: (302) 577-8314

Date: January 31, 2001

A.G. BRADY ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS

(Wilmington, DE) - Attorney General M. Jane Brady today named State Prosecutor Ferris W. Wharton to the position of Chief Deputy Attorney General for the Department of Justice. Chief Prosecutor for New Castle County Steven P. Wood has been named to succeed Mr. Wharton as State Prosecutor. Ms. Brady also named Deputy Attorney General Peter N. Letang to succeed Mr.Wood as Chief Prosecutor for New Castle County.

Attorney General Brady noted, "Delaware can be proud to have these three dedicated individuals in leading roles in the Department of Justice. Their skill and experience are a major asset to me, and to the office. The citizens of Delaware have benefitted, and will continue to benefit, from their outstanding public service."

Mr. Wharton is a graduate of the University of Delaware and the University of Illinois College of Law. During more than 20 years in the Criminal Division at the Department of Justice, he has led the Trial Unit, the Drug Unit, and the Rape Response Unit. He also served as the deputy in charge of the Kent County Office and as the Chief Prosecutor for New Castle County, before his appointment to State Prosecutor in 1997.

Mr. Wood graduated from the University of Delaware and the Emory University School of Law. He has served more than 15 years in the Justice Department. During his tenure he has supervised the Trial, Career Criminal and Felony Screening Units and also serves as the chair of the Attorney General's Legislative Review Committee.

During two periods of service, spanning twenty years, Mr. Letang has distinguished himself as the head of the Rape Response and Drug Units, before being named to head the Trial Unit in New Castle County in 1997. He is a graduate of Bucknell University and the Baylor University School of Law. He has also served in the Office of the Public Defender and as Assistant Counsel to Governor duPont.

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