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Western Virginia's U.S. Attorney was on list considered for dismissal last year

The list of U.S. Attorneys considered for dismissal last year included Western Virginia's John Brownlee.

The Washington Post reports the Justice Department named 26 of the nation's 93 U.S. Attorneys for possible dismissal.  Brownlee was the first name listed among five U.S. Attorneys recommended for firing by the Deputy Attorney General's Chief of Staff Michael Elston.

Brownlee was not one of the nine ultimately dismissed.  He issued a brief statement late today saying he'd first learned he was on Elston list March 14th.

"That same day," Brownlee said, he reported Mr. Elston's conduct to the Department of Justice.  The U.S. Attorney's spokeswoman declined to elaborate.