WASHINGTON — It’s a game of musical chairs over at the Justice Department at 950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Gary G. Grindler, who had been filling in as acting deputy attorney general, the number two spot, becomes chief of staff to the Attorney General, the department announced Monday.
Grindler is being replaced by James Cole, who was installed as deputy Attorney General through a recess appointment by President Obama. Cole was sworn in on Monday.
And Grindler replaces Kevin Ohlson, who will be “resuming his career service with the department,” the Justice Department announced in a press release.
“Kevin Ohlson has been an extraordinary public servant through a long career at the department, and while I am sorry to lose him from my office, I am grateful for his tireless work leading my staff the past two years,” Attorney General Eric Holder said.
“As he has throughout his career, Gary Grindler showed remarkable leadership under difficult circumstances as Acting Deputy Attorney General over the past year, and I could not be more pleased that he has agreed to continue that service in this new role as my chief of staff.”
Grindler had served as Acting Deputy Attorney General since Feb. 5. Ohlson had served as Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Attorney General since February 2009. He had previously served as the Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, chief of staff to the Deputy Attorney General and Assistant U.S. Attorney, the Justice Department said.
