Deputy
Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco today announced that the Department of
Justice has doubled the $1 million reward for information leading to the
arrest and conviction of those responsible for the October 2001 murder
of Seattle Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Wales.
With the inclusion of reward funds raised by the National Association
of Former U.S. Attorneys, the total reward now stands at approximately
$2.5 million. Wales worked as a federal prosecutor in the Western
District of Washington for 18 years before he was shot and killed in his
home the evening of Oct. 11, 2001.
“The Department of Justice will never forget Tom’s contributions to
the department and the cause of justice, nor will we forget the tragedy
of his death,” said Deputy Attorney General Monaco. “Although two
decades have passed, the Department of Justice remains committed to this
investigation. Somebody knows something about this murder, and we want
to do everything we can to encourage them to come forward now.”
In addition to doubling the reward, the department announced steps to
redouble its efforts to pursue justice in the investigation. The U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington will be joining
the Seattle Prosecutor Murder (SEPROM) Task Force. The department will
augment the prosecution effort with additional Seattle-based resources,
including personnel with expertise in homicide investigations.
“The addition of these resources, including attorneys and
investigators from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District
of Washington and FBI, will put the department in the strongest possible
position to solve Tom’s murder,” said Deputy Attorney General Monaco.
The SEPROM Task Force is now a joint effort by the FBI, the Seattle
Police Department, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office
for the Western District of Washington and the King County Prosecuting
Attorney’s Office. The task force is also leveraging emerging and
evolving technologies in the effort.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI and can do
so confidentially by phone at (206) 622-0460 or by e-mail at walestips@fbi.gov.
Tips can also be sent to the FBI at 1110 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA,
98101. The complete library of information, including multi-media
materials for download and use, the FBI Seeking Information poster,
details about the tip lines and more can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/thomas-crane-wales.
