Friday, March 14, 2008

New DA Chosen: Kenneth Magidson selection announced by Rick Perry's Office

Governor Rick Perry Names Kenneth Magidson to Replace Chuck Rosenthal as Harris County District Attorney

Text of March 14, 2008 press release follows:

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today named Kenneth Magidson of Houston as the Harris County district attorney to serve until the end of December 2008. Since 1983, Magidson has served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Texas.

"As a highly respected and accomplished assistant United States attorney, Ken has the experience and leadership skills to lead the Harris County District Attorney’s Office over the next nine months," said Gov. Perry. "After more than 20 years of prosecuting drug traffickers and money launderers at the federal level, and serving as an assistant district attorney in Harris County, his experience will ensure justice is dealt to those who threaten the safety and livelihood of Harris County residents."

Among his duties with the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), Magidson most recently served as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Regional Coordinator for the Southwest Region, working to target and prosecute drug trafficking and money-laundering organizations operating in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, and Central and Southern California federal judicial districts. He is also past chief of the Task Force Narcotics Division. From 1996-1997, Magidson was the director of the Task Force Executive Office in Washington, D.C. where he directed a range of management, financial and administrative functions.

Before his service with the DoJ, Magidson served as a Harris County assistant district attorney from 1977-1983. During his tenure, he served as the 177th District Court chief felony prosecutor where he was responsible for the prosecution of major felony crimes including cases involving capital murder, rape, kidnapping and theft.

Magidson received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and a law degree from South Texas College of Law.

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