Michael A. Battle

For the theologian and academic see Michael J. Battle.

Michael A. Battle was the Director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) at the United States Department of Justice until he resigned, effective March 16, 2007. He was the person who informed seven United States Attorneys on December 7, 2006 that they were being dismissed (see Dismissal of U.S. attorneys controversy).

Battle is a 1977 graduate of Ithaca College and a 1981 graduate of University at Buffalo Law School. From 1985 to 1992, he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Buffalo, New York, where he served in the General Criminal Division, the Civil Division, and on the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force. Following his admission to the New York bar, he worked as a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society Civil Division. In 1992, he helped to establish the Rochester and Buffalo Federal Public Defender's Offices, where he served until 1995. In June 1996, he was appointed by Governor George Pataki to serve as a judge on the Erie County (New York) Family Court and was elected the following November to a full 10-year term. From 1995 to 1996, he served as Assistant in Charge of the Buffalo office of the New York State Attorney General.

From January 2002 to May 2005 Battle served as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York.

During his time as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, he was responsible for the case of Benamar Benatta who was held without trial for five years following his forcible rendition from Canada on September the 12th 2001. The FBI concluded Benatta was innocent that November, however according to federal Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder Jr, Battle then conspired with the FBI and immigration agents in a "sham" to make it appear that Benatta was being held for immigration violations.

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