Senators OK with U.S.-attorney nominee

Former federal prosecutor Zane Memeger is President Obama's choice to serve as the new U.S. attorney for southeastern Pennsylvania.

Memeger, now a partner in a private law firm, spent 11 years working as an assistant U.S. attorney, serving on the Organized Crime Strike Force.

In 2001, he delivered the opening and closing arguments during the trial that sent mobster Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino to prison for 14 years. Memeger memorably referred to Merlino associate Martin Angelina as "a bully running with a gang of misfits."

In 2005, Memeger was part of the prosecutorial team that convicted Imam Shamsud-din Ali for racketeering. That investigation was at the center of the City Hall corruption probe that marred the administration of Mayor John Street.

The U.S. Senate now needs to confirm Memeger's appointment, but no problems are expected. Memeger has the support of the state's Democratic senators, Arlen Specter and Bob Casey.

Casey's brother, Chris, a lawyer with Dilworth Paxson who served on a committe to interview potential candidates, praised Meme-ger's abilities.

"He's an excellent choice. He has the experience the character and the judgment to be a great U.S. attorney," Chris Casey said.

Specter said in a news release that Memeger "has an exemplary record of fighting crime . . . He has the experience, integrity and judgment to serve the people of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the country with distinction."

Memeger, 45, graduated from James Madison University in 1986 and from University of Virginia School of Law in 1991. He was in the U.S. Attorney's Office from 1995 to 2006.

In 2006, he returned to Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, with which he started his law career. He is a partner there.

Memeger would be the official successor to Patrick Meehan, who left the office in 2008 to run for Congress. Michael Levy has served as acting U.S. attorney since then.