CRANK TAPS DEA AGENT TO LEAD DCI

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Attorney General nominee Pat Crank plans to appoint a
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent based in Casper to lead the
Division of Criminal Investigation.

Crank told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday that he would like
Steven Woodson to lead the state agency.

''Steve is one of the hardest-working people I know,'' Crank said.

He said the DEA has agreed to put Woodson on leave with pay and keep him on
the federal government's generous benefits package while he works for the
state. The federal agency would relinquish all supervisory power over
Woodson.

Committee Chairman Sen. John Hanes, R-Cheyenne, said such an arrangement
would save the state about $80,000 per year. Woodson could not be reached
for comment.

Crank also pleaded the case for his own job. He outlined his background and
his goals if the Senate confirms him as attorney general.

Crank grew up in Casper, graduated from Kelly Walsh High School, earned a
bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wyoming in 1982 and got a law
degree from UW in 1985.

He said he wants to improve the efficiency of the office to better serve the
five statewide elected officials and the Legislature.

He wants to reduce the dependence of the office on contracting legal
services and hopes to review what he thinks may be an overly restrictive
conflict of interest policy regarding outside counsel.

Crank said the office should concentrate on recruiting and training lawyers,
who are often hired away by private firms.

''We should be the best lawyers in the state,'' he said. ''If I'm not moving
in that direction, I hope you come and hit me in the head.''

The attorney general advises and renders legal opinions to state officers
and the Legislature. It serves as the state's chief law enforcement officer
to prosecute and to defend in civil lawsuits against the state. It also
handles criminal appeals before the state Supreme Court.

Crank said he hopes to avoid the dilemmas that arose during the
administration of Gov. Jim Geringer, when the Legislature and the executive
branch were at odds and the attorney general worked on the governor's side.

Crank said he also wants his attorneys to speak freely and not adhere to
Geringer's ''one-voice policy,'' he said. ''I like dissent.''

The committee voted unanimously to recommend that the full Senate approve
Crank's nomination.