Meese Picks Friend for New Position in Justice Department
WASHINGTON — Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III on Tuesday named his longtime friend, Herbert E. Ellingwood, to the new Justice Department post of director of the office of liaison services, where he will work with state and local governments, law enforcement groups and bar associations.
Last year, Meese abandoned efforts to seek Ellingwood’s nomination to the assistant attorney general’s post that oversees judicial appointments, reportedly for fear that Ellingwood’s Christian fundamentalist activities would lead to a battle over his Senate confirmation. His appointment Tuesday is not subject to such confirmation.
Was Reagan Deputy Counsel
Ellingwood, 55, came to Washington when President Reagan was elected to office, and he served as deputy counsel to the President in 1981 before joining the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board. His term as chairman of the board ran out March 1.
Ellingwood’s friendship with Meese goes back to 1948, when they attended high school together. During Reagan’s two terms as governor of California, he served in a variety of state positions, including legal affairs secretary to Reagan from 1969 to 1974.
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