Asphaug to serve as Oregon’s acting U.S. attorney

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced Monday he has appointed Scott Erik Asphaug to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon in an interim capacity, effective Dec. 25, 2021.

Asphaug, who was previously appointed to serve as Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon beginning February 28, 2021, will serve as U.S. Attorney for up to 120 days or until the confirmation of Oregon’s next presidentially appointed U.S. Attorney by the U.S. Senate.

Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley sent to the White House in late November the names of three finalists to be the next U.S. Attorney for Oregon: Craig Gabriel, Vivek Kothari and Natalie Wright.

If after 120 days, a new presidentially appointed U.S. Attorney has not been confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Marco A. Hernández, Chief U.S. District Judge for the District of Oregon, will appoint a U.S. Attorney to serve until such confirmation occurs.

“It is a privilege to serve Oregonians as U.S. Attorney and I look forward to continuing to do so for the next four months or until the confirmation of Oregon’s next presidentially-appointed U.S. Attorney,” said Asphaug. “During this time of transition, our office continues to focus intently on our ongoing mission of protecting the safety and wellbeing of all Oregonians.”

Asphaug is a 16-year veteran of the Department of Justice, joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in October 2005. He has held several leadership positions in the district including First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Mortgage Fraud Coordinator, Discovery Coordinator, and Professional Responsibility Officer. Asphaug previously served as a line Assistant U.S. Attorney in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions.

Prior to his federal service, Asphaug was a Senior Assistant and Deputy County Attorney in the Multnomah County Attorney’s Office, where he handled tort and medical malpractice litigation. He also served as the advisory attorney to the Multnomah County Sheriff.

Before entering government service, Asphaug spent several years in private practice focused on criminal litigation. During this time, he was empaneled by the Portland Police Officer’s Union to represent officers during use of force administrative and grand jury investigations.

Asphaug received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Minnesota in 1979 and his law degree from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College in 1983.