Interim U.S. attorney to leave Alaska

ANCHORAGE - The interim U.S. Attorney in Alaska is departing.

Nelson Cohen says he's returning to the U.S. Attorney's office in Pittsburgh.

His replacement, who is also in the position on an interim basis, will be assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Loeffler.

Cohen two and a half years ago replaced Timothy Burgess, who became a federal judge.

Cohen had been chief deputy for white collar crime for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He says he will return to that office, though his old seat has been taken by someone else.

Loeffler is currently chief of the criminal division in Alaska.

She helped successfully prosecute former Fairbanks Mayor Jim Hayes, who was convicted last year of using federal grant money for personal gain.