Attorney General Eric Holder said Tony West “has been an indispensable member” of the Justice Department’s senior leadership team after the associate attorney general made public Wednesday his plans to step down Sept. 15.
Mr. West, who has served as associate attorney general since 2012, is “an exemplary and dedicated public servant, and a close adviser and good friend,” Mr. Holder said.
Mr. Holder lauded Mr. West’s accomplishments combating financial fraud, advocating for the rights of American native populations, and involvement on legal decisions pertaining to same-sex marriage.
“Over the years, Tony’s efforts have made a tremendous and lasting difference in the lives of millions of people across the country,” Mr. Holder said.
Sources close to the department said Wednesday that Mr. West is departing to pursue a job in the private sector.
• Phillip Swarts can be reached at pswarts@washingtontimes.com.
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