Paul K. Charlton is a former United States Attorney and current partner at the law firm of Dentons US LLP in the firm's Phoenix, Arizona office. Charlton concentrates his practice on high-profile and complex litigation, internal investigations and white-collar criminal defense. Charlton also represents a number of Arizona Native American governments, including Ak-Chin, Salt River Pima-Maricopa, Haulapai, the Navajo Nation, and Tohono O'odham. Prior to joining Dentons, he served as managing partner at law firm Steptoe & Johnson LLP. Charlton served as the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona from 2001–2007. He was nominated in November 2001 by President George W. Bush. He oversaw a staff of more than 220 employees, four offices throughout the state, and an approximately $20 million budget. During his tenure, Charlton led enforcement initiatives against terrorism, public corruption, illegal immigration and crime in Indian Country. Early career Charlton began his legal career in 1989 as an Assistant Attorney General with the Arizona Attorney General's Office. In March 1991, Charlton joined the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona as an Assistant U.S. Attorney where he prosecuted a wide variety of matters from homicides to complex fraud cases. United States attorney Charlton was confirmed as the United States Attorney for the United States District Court for the District of Arizona on November 6, 2001. In September 2006, it became clear that Charlton had launched an investigation of Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ), regarding a land-swap deal. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales's chief of staff, Kyle Sampson, subsequently included Charlton on a list of U.S. attorneys "we now should consider pushing out." Sampson made the comment in a September 13, 2006, letter to then-White House Counsel Harriet Miers. Charlton was informed of his dismissal by Justice Department official Michael A. Battle on December 7, 2006, and announced his resignation on December 19, 2006, effective January 31, 2007. Overall, Charlton ranked number one in the nation for convictions in 2006. On March 19, 2007, the White House released 3,000 pages of records connected to the controversy, including emails sent by Charlton to the Justice Department about his dismissal. On December 21, 2006, Charlton sent a message to William W. Mercer, the third-ranking official in the department, writing, "Media now asking if I was asked to resign over leak in Congressman Renzi investigation." Charlton never received a response. The Wall Street Journal explained further allegations: that the Department of Justice intentionally