Ashcroft, Hanaway forming new law firm

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Federal prosecutor Catherine Hanaway is stepping down to join a law firm with former attorney general John Ashcroft.

Hanaway says her last day on the job will be Sunday. She said the law firm will be called Ashcroft Hanaway and will be based in Kansas City.

Hanaway plans to work in St. Louis while Ashcroft will work from Washington, where he already has a consulting firm.

Ashcroft is a former Missouri governor and senator who served as attorney general under President George W. Bush.

Hanaway was appointed as the federal prosecutor for eastern Missouri by Bush but was expected to be replaced by President Obama. Hanaway previously served as speaker of the Missouri House.