News Release

U.S. Sentencing Commission
One Columbus Circle NE
Washington, DC 20002-8002

For Immediate Release:
Friday, August 28, 1998

Contact: Michael Courlander
Public Affairs Officer
(202) 273-4590

U.S.SENTENCING COMMISSION NAMES TIMOTHY B. MCGRATH INTERIM STAFF DIRECTOR

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 21, 1998) — The U.S. Sentencing Commission announced today the appointment of Scranton native Timothy B. McGrath as its Interim Staff Director. “Tim McGrath brings with him a vast range of administrative experience, much of it within the federal judiciary,” said Commission Chairman Judge Richard P. Conaboy of Scranton. “I am most pleased that Tim has agreed to accept this post.” Mr. McGrath succeeds Dr. John H. Kramer, who returns this fall to the Pennsylvania State University, where he is a tenured Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice. Dr. Kramer’s departure, after a two-year assignment as Staff Director, coincides with the culmination of the assessment phase of Commission’s extensive re-engineering effort.

Mr. McGrath, who has had an active role in coordinating the Commission’s assessment and restructuring, will carry out the implementation phase of the reorganization program. Mr. McGrath first joined the Commission upon the appointment of Judge Richard P. Conaboy as Chairman, and has supervised the daily operations of the Chairman’s Office since 1995. Previously he worked as Deputy Circuit Executive and as Assistant Circuit Executive for Finance, Facilities and Security for the Circuit Executive’s Office in the Third Judicial Circuit. During his tenure at the Third Circuit, Mr. McGrath successfully implemented a budget decentralization program for the Court of Appeals.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. McGrath said, “I am gratified at being selected to support the Commission in this capacity and to continue to work under the leadership of Judge Conaboy. After a year of intense effort, the Commission has produced a blueprint for its long-term future. One of my initial objectives as Staff Director is to bring the formal re-engineering project to a close so that there will be virtually no disruption to our daily operations.”

The change in office became effective August 21, 1998. Chairman Conaboy notes, “Tim McGrath has been instrumental this past year in coordinating the work of numerous teams that have produced what we expect will be a more effective and efficient model for the Commission. I am confident that his appointment will assure stability and continuity both in the day-to-day work of the Commission and in the implementation of the improved processes.”

Mr. McGrath attended Bishop Hannan High School in Scranton as well as the University of Scranton, where he was ranked first among Public Administration majors. In 1987, he received his law degree from Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia. Mr. McGrath is the youngest son of Gregory and Jane (Burke) McGrath, longtime residents of Scranton.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission, an independent agency in the Judicial Branch of the federal government, was organized in 1985 to develop a national sentencing policy for the federal courts. The resulting sentencing guidelines, which went into effect November 1, 1987, structure the courts’ sentencing discretion to ensure that similar offenders who commit similar offenses receive a similar sentence.


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