With all the anti-lobbying talk during the 2008 presidential campaign, it’s interesting to note that the top contender for U.S. Attorney in Virginia is a former corporate lobbyist. Will his previous life as a lobbyist impact his performance as U.S. Attorney? Not likely. Could some perceive conflicts of interests, even if they’re not there? Very possible.
By Jerry Markon
Washington Post Staff Writer
A Justice Department official who briefly worked as a corporate lobbyist has emerged as the leading candidate for U.S. attorney in Alexandria, one of the nation’s most prominent law enforcement posts, sources familiar with the selection process said Wednesday.
Neil MacBride, who has been an associate deputy attorney general since January, is undergoing FBI background checks for the Alexandria job, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because no appointment has been announced.
MacBride, 43, is a former federal prosecutor and a former chief counsel to Vice President Biden, and he was a vice president at the Business Software Alliance, which represents Microsoft, IBM and several other leading computer companies. He was a registered lobbyist for that organization in 2007, lobbying the Senate on topics such as copyright enforcement and cybersecurity, according to Senate records and federal officials.
