Magistrate Picked for Post Vacated by Convicted Judge
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LAS VEGAS — U.S. Magistrate Phillip Pro was recommended Friday by U.S. Sen. Chic Hecht (R-Nev.) to fill the federal judgeship left vacant by the Senate conviction of Harry Claiborne on impeachment charges.
Hecht said he expects Pro to be easily confirmed by the U.S. Senate and could be sworn in by next March.
Pro, 39, a Republican, has been a U.S. magistrate for six years. Before that he served in the U.S. attorney’s office in Las Vegas and as chief deputy attorney general for gaming. He is a native of Richmond, Calif.
Hecht said he discussed his choice with both U.S. Sen.-elect Harry Reid and U.S. Rep.-elect Jim Bilbray and both Democrats praised Pro’s selection.
Hecht said Pro will undergo a background investigation and added that he hopes the nomination will go before the Senate Judiciary Committee in January or February and be approved by the full Senate by March.
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