William J. Schneider Sworn In as Maine?s 56th Attorney General, Swears in Assistant Attorneys General Across State as First Official Act

January 9, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUSTA -- On January 6, 2011 William J. Schneider was sworn in as Maine?s 56th Attorney General by Governor Paul LePage. He was born and raised in Elma, New York son of Clayton and Phyllis Schneider. He graduated from the United State Military Academy at West Point and went on to serve with distinction in the U.S. Army, earning his Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab and Senior Airborne Wings, and being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He earned his law degree from the University of Maine Law School in 1993.

Attorney General Schneider was an Assistant Attorney General from 1993 to 1998, prosecuting cases against drug traffickers across the state. In 1998 he was elected to the House of Representatives, representing Durham and parts of Brunswick and Lisbon. He served on the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary and several special committees during his first term, and was elected Assistant Republican Leader during his second term.

After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, he was recruited to serve as the federal Anti-Terrorism Coordinator in the United States Attorney?s Office for the District of Maine. He served as an Assistant United States Attorney from 2002 to 2010 conducting investigations and working with local, state, federal and international partners to fight the threat of terrorism. In addition, he handled a wide variety of civil and criminal cases, including defending the United States against immigration appeals by illegal aliens and prosecuting criminals.

?It is an honor and a privilege to be Maine?s 56th Attorney General. I believe my primary assignment is protecting Maine?s citizens by vigorously defending our laws and our people. Prescription drug abuse jeopardizes public safety, decreases property values, increases domestic violence and puts the safety of our seniors at risk. My office will work tirelessly to reduce this problem in Maine. I also believe the Office of the Attorney General needs to do its part to enhance economic development in Maine and help turn our state into the economic engine it must become in the new global economy,? said Attorney General Schneider.

As his first official act, Attorney General Schneider traveled to offices in Portland, Bangor and Augusta on Friday to swear in the Assistant Attorney Generals and Detectives.

Attorney General Schneider lives in Durham.

Contact: Martha Demeritt (207) 626-8599