DiCicco is now Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General

John DiCicco's time to serve as Assistant Attorney General ran out, so he was given a new, specially created title, in the absence of an Assistant Attorney General so that he could continue to run the Tax Divisoin.  That title is Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General.  Main Justice has an article giving some of the details titled Manuever Allows Career Lawyer to Wield Power in Tax Division.  (Note that you may have to create an account with Main Justice to read the article, but those interested in the Tax Division and DOJ generally will want to do that.)  The article cites Tax Division Directive No. 139 as to authorities delegated during the period of the absence of an AAG.  Finally, the article notes the Administration claim that the appointment of an AAG is in the works.

Thomas Foye Death

I was notified that Thomas Foye died on February 1, 2011.  The link to his obituary is here.  The following is the excerpt from the obituary about his Tax Division service.

Upon graduation Tom spent three years as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division. Tom tried civil tax cases all over the country on a variety of issues, winning more cases than he lost while gaining the respect of his adversaries for his keen abilities as a tax lawyer and for his sense of fairness.

Cynthia Holcomb Hall Death

Pat Whaley sent an email today advising:

I am sorry to have to advise you that Judge Cynthia Holcomb Hall died this last Saturday at her home in Pasadena California. While she has been battling cancer and other aliments for the last few years, she remained an active member of the Ninth Circuit. I understand that the Ninth Circuit will be issuing an obituary in the next few days. Pat Whaley

I will post further information as I get it.

Addendum 3/2/11: The Los Angeles Times obituary article is here. The Ninth Circuit posting is here.  Wikipedia entry is here.