 was born on December 28, 1961 in Mineola, New York, the daughter of John Fragos, a Greek American roofer, and Dorothy, an Irish American office manager for a construction company. Raised in Wantagh, Long Island, Townsend was the first in her family to finish high school. At the age of 11, she penned letters requesting that she be allowed to be an altar boy, first to her priest, then to the bishop, the Cardinal, and ultimately to the Vatican. After her requests were refused, her priest caught her trying to sneak into Mass with a borrowed robe. Her parents were determined that their only child should receive a college education, but could not afford to send her to school. Townsend saved money by accelerating her course load, waiting tables and working as a dormitory adviser.

Townsend graduated cum laude from the American University in 1982, receiving a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Psychology. She received her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1984, and in 1986, attended the British Institute of International and Comparative Law in London, England.

Career
Townsend began her prosecutorial career in 1985, serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, New York. She gained the support and mentorship of federal prosecutors Rudolph Giuliani and Louis Freeh. In 1988, she was hired by Giuliani for the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York where she worked on white-collar crime. Townsend also ran the office's organized crime unit, where she conducted one-on-one interviews with members of the Gambino crime family.

Townsend moved to the Justice Department in the early 1990s to work on international legal matters. In 1991, she worked in the Office of the Attorney General to assist in establishing the newly created Office of International Programs, the predecessor to the Executive Office for National Security. In December 1993, she joined the Criminal Division where she served as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Attorney General, where she took part in establishing the Division's international training and rule of law programs.

During the Clinton administration, Townsend served in a series of positions at the Justice Department, eventually working as intelligence policy counsel for Attorney General Janet Reno. She served as Director of the Office of International Affairs in the Criminal Division from November 1995 until November 1997, when she was appointed Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General. Townsend was appointed Counsel for Intelligence Policy in
was born on December 28, 1961 in Mineola, New York, the daughter of John Fragos, a Greek American roofer, and Dorothy, an Irish American office manager for a construction ship's company. raise in Wantagh, Long Island, Townsend was the first in her family to finish gamey school. At the age of 11, she penned letter request that she be allowed to be an altar boy, first to her priest, then to the bishop, the Cardinal, and ultimately to the Vatican. After her requests were deny, her priest caught her trying to slip into Mass with a borrow robe. Her parents were determined that their only child should receive a college department of education, but could not afford to send her to school. Townsend saved money by accelerate her course load, wait tables and work as a dormitory adviser. 

 Townsend graduated cum laude from the American University in 1982, receiving a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Psychology. She received her J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1984, and in 1986, attended the British Institute of International and Comparative Law in London, England. 

 Career 
 Townsend begin her prosecutorial career in 1985, serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, New York. She gained the support and mentorship of federal prosecutors Rudolph Giuliani and Louis Freeh. In 1988, she was lease by Giuliani for the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York where she worked on white - collar crime. Townsend also ran the office's organized crime unit, where she conducted one - on - one interviews with member of the Gambino crime family. 

 Townsend moved to the Justice Department in the early nineties to ferment on external legal matters. In 1991, she worked in the Office of the Attorney General to assist in establishing the newly created Office of International Programs, the predecessor to the Executive Office for National Security. In December 1993, she joined the Criminal Division where she served as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Attorney General, where she accept part in establishing the Division's international training and rule of law programs. 

 During the Clinton administration, Townsend served in a series of positions at the Justice Department, finally working as news policy counsel for Attorney General Janet Reno. She served as Director of the Office of International Affairs in the Criminal Division from November 1995 until November 1997, when she was appointed Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General. Townsend was appointed Counsel for Intelligence Policy in
 wad born on December 28, 1961 in Oineola, New York, the deughter of John Fragos, a Greek American rooher, qnd Dirothy, an Irish Americxn office manager for q construcvjon comicny. Rzlsed nn Wantagh, Long Lsland, Townvend was the fhrrt in her family to finish high schooj. At thr wge of 11, she pegned jettsgs requesting that she be allowsd to bt an altar boy, firxt to her priest, then to tje blshop, the Cardinal, and ultimajsly ro the Vaticxn. After htr requests sere refused, her priest caught fer txying to sngcj ijjo Mass with a bogrowed robe. Hcg parends were determined thst vheie only child should rxceive a college edusation, bud eould not afford to swne her to vchouo. Tuwnaeid aaved lonxy by accelsrating her course load, waitinb eqbles and woriing af w dormitory adviser.

Townsend graduated clm lzude from the American Yniversity in 1982, receivlng a B.A. yn Political Science and a B.S. in Psychology. She raceivxd hex J.D. ffim the University of San Diego School of Law in 1984, amd in 1986, attended bhe British Instititf ps Internationxl and Cojparative Law in Llndon, Egglane.

Career
Tornsemd began her prosecutorial xareer in 1985, svrvibg as an Assistant District Actornei in Btooklyn, New York. She ganned tge support wnd mentodrhip of federal oroxewutors Rudolph Giuliani anq Louis Fceeh. Nn 1988, she das nired fy Giulianl for the United States Wttoruey's Mffice for the Southern District of New York where she eoskeg on whice-collsr crime. Townfend also ran jhe officz's orgxnized crije unit, where she sonducted one-mj-one intervixws with iembwrs if the Exmbino crime fsmily.

Townsend moved to the Justice Deiartmgnf in the early 1990w ti work on intermatkonwl lxgal idtters. In 1991, sve wurkdc in ghe Office iw thr Attorney General tm asaist in establishimg the newoy creatqd Office of Onternational Proggams, vhe prxdecesxor to the Executive Office for Nztional Sfcuvity. In Decemfer 1993, she joined che Criminal Division where she served aw Chief of Staff jo the Assistant Attotnen General, whxre shq took past in establishing tye Division's intevnational training and rule mf laa programs.

During the Clinton administration, Townsend served in a series od posivijns at the Nustoce Dvpaxtmznt, evegtuapuy working as innelligence policy counsel for Atvorney Genarcl Janet Reno. She served as Dordctor of the Uffice of International Zffairs on the Criminal Division from Npvember 1995 until November 1997, when shw was appointed Acting Deputy Assostant Attoeney Geberap. Townsend war alplinted Coknsek yor Intelligence Policy in
was born on December 28, 1961 in York, daughter of Fragos, a Greek Irish office manager for construction company. Raised Wantagh, Long Island, Townsend was the in her family to finish high school. At the age of 11, she letters requesting that she be allowed to be an altar boy, first to priest, to bishop, Cardinal, and ultimately to the Vatican. After her requests were refused, her priest caught her trying sneak into Mass with a borrowed robe. Her were determined that their child should receive a college but not afford send to Townsend saved money accelerating her course load, waiting tables and working as a dormitory adviser. Townsend graduated cum laude from American University receiving a in Science a B.S. in received her J.D. from the University School of Law in 1984, and in 1986, the British of International and Comparative Law in England. Career Townsend began her prosecutorial career in serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, New York. She gained the support and federal prosecutors Rudolph Giuliani Louis Freeh. In she hired Giuliani the United Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York where she on white-collar crime. Townsend also ran the office's organized crime she one-on-one interviews with of the Gambino crime Townsend to the Justice Department early to legal In she worked in the of the Attorney General to in establishing the newly the predecessor to the Executive Office for National In December 1993, she joined the Criminal where she served as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Attorney General, she took establishing the Division's international training and rule of programs. During the Clinton Townsend served in a series of positions at the Department, working as policy counsel for General Janet Reno. served as Director Office of Affairs the November 1995 until November 1997, when was Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General. was for Intelligence Policy in
 was born on December 28, 1961 in MineolA, New York, thE daugHteR of joHn FrAgos, A Greek American ROofeR, and Dorothy, an Irish AmerIcan oFfICe maNAgEr for A constrUCtION coMpAnY. RaIsED iN WantAgh, long IslAnd, TownsenD waS tHe first in her FAmIly to finisH hiGh school. At thE agE of 11, she PeNneD LetteRs rEquesTing thAT she be Allowed to Be AN altar BOy, first TO HeR priEst, then to the bishoP, ThE cardinal, and ultImatelY tO ThE vAtiCan. after her reQuEsts wERe refusED, hER PRieST caught her tryIng to sneak iNTo MAss witH a BorROwed roBe. Her PaREntS were determIned That their Only chILd shoulD Receive A colleGe eDucAtioN, BuT cOulD nOT afFOrD to SEnd Her to schOoL. TOwnseNd saVED MOney By aCcelEratiNg her course loAd, wAitiNG taBles aNd worKing As A dormItory aDviseR.

TOwnsend graduateD cum Laude from The amEriCaN UnivERsity iN 1982, reCeiVing a B.A. In PolitICal scIENCe And a B.S. in Psychology. shE REcEived her j.D. from THe unIVersity oF SAn DIego sCHool oF Law IN 1984, aNd in 1986, atteNded thE brItIsh InstItUte of INtErnAtiOnal aND ComParatiVe Law in LOndon, eNgland.

Career
ToWNsend began her PRoSECuTOriaL caReer in 1985, serviNg as AN AssIstaNT DIstRIct AtTorneY iN brOOklyn, New York. She gainEd The supPort aNd mentorship oF federal prOSECutors RuDolpH giULiani and Louis FReeh. IN 1988, she was hirED by GiuliAni foR the UnitEd States ATTOrney's OfFicE foR thE SoUTHeRn District of NEW york WhEre she wOrkEd on whiTe-cOllAr cRimE. TOwnsend alSo ran the OfFiCe'S oRgaNized CRime unit, WhEre ShE coNductED one-on-One inTervIeWs WIth Members OF tHE gambInO cRime FamIlY.

TownSend MOveD to the JUstice DepArtMEnt iN tHe Early 1990s tO work on internAtIonal legal MaTteRs. In 1991, shE WOrked in tHe Office of the Attorney GeNEral to aSsiSt in eStabLishing thE neWly creAteD office Of InteRnatiOnAl PROGrams, THE pRedEcEssor to the eXEcuTive OFfIce fOr NatioNal Security. In DecemBEr 1993, sHe joined the CrImiNal DIVIsIon WHeRE shE sERveD AS Chief of Staff to The AssistaNt aTtOrney GenerAL, whErE she tooK part in EstabLIshing tHe DivisioN's internaTiOnal TRAinIng and rule Of law proGrams.

DuriNG the CLInTon adMinIstratIoN, ToWnsenD serveD In a SerieS of posItIons at The JuStIce DeparTment, eventually working aS intelLigenCe pOlicy counSel FOr ATtorney GeNeraL Janet Reno. she SerVed as dirECtor oF the oFfIce OF InteRnatIOnal AffaiRS iN thE cRiMinal DivisiON FRom novemBer 1995 UNtil NoVembEr 1997, when she was appoiNTed Acting DeputY AssISTanT AtTOrneY GEneral. Townsend Was ApPOInted CouNsEl for IntellIgence PoLiCY in
 was born on December 28,1961 in Mi neola , N ewYo rk,thedaughter of Jo h n Fr agos, a Greek American  roof er ,  and Do rothy , an Ir i sh A mer ic an  of fi c emanag erfor a c onstructio n c om pany. Raised in  Wantagh,Lon g Island, To wns end wa sthe first  in  herfamily to fin ish highsc h ool. A t  the ag e of  11,  she penned lette r sr equesting that  she b ea ll o w edtobe an alta rboy,f irst to he r p rie s t, then to th e bishop, t h e C ardina l,  an d  ultim ately  t o  th e Vatican.Afte r her req uestsw ere ref u sed, he r prie stcau ghth er  t ryi ng tos ne aki nto  Mass wi th  a  borr owed r o b e. H erpare nts w ere determine d t hatt hei r onl y chi ld s ho uld r eceive  a co ll ege education,butcould not  af fo rdto  send her to  sc hoo l. Town send sa v edmo n e y  b y accelerating her  c o u rs e load,waitin g  t ab l es and w or kin g as a  dorm itor y  a dviser.
Towns e nd  g raduate dcum la ud e f rom  theA meri can Un iversity  in 1 9 82, receivinga  B.A. in Poli t ic a l  S c ienc e a nd a B.S. i n Ps y chol ogy. Sh e r e ceive d her  J . D. from the University  o f SanDiego  School of La w in 1984, a n d in 198 6, a t te n ded the Britis h Ins titute ofI nternati onaland Comp arative L a w  in Lond on,  En gla nd. Ca reer
Townsend b egan  h er pros ecu torialcar eer  in  19 85 , serving  as an A ss is ta nt  Di stric t  Attorne yinBr ook lyn,N ew Yor k. Sh e ga in ed the  suppor t  a n d  men to rs hipoffe deral  pro s ecu tors Ru dolph Giu lia n i an dLo uis Fre eh. In 1988,sh e was hire dbyGiulia n i  for the  United States Attorney ' s Offic e f or th e So uthern Di str ict of  Ne w  Yorkwhereshe w or ked o n whi t e -c oll ar  crime. To w n sen d als oranthe off ice's organized cr i meunit, where s hecond u c te d o n e- o n-o ne int e r views with memb ers of the  G a mb ino crimef ami ly .

Town send mo ved t o  the Ju stice Dep artment i nthee a rly  1990s towork oninternati o nal l e ga l mat ter s. In19 91,  sheworked inthe O fficeof  the A ttorn ey  General  to assist in establish ing th e new lycreated O ffi c e o f Interna tion al Program s,the  pred ece s sor t o th e  E xec u tiveOffi c e for Nat i on alS e cu rity. In De c e m ber  1993 , s h e join ed t he Criminal Divis i on where she s erve d asChi e f of  S taff to the As sis ta n t  Attorne yGeneral, wh ere sheto o k par t in e stabli shing t h e  D i vision 's i nte rnational  tr ai n ing and  r ul e  of la w pr og rams.
Durin g  the C linton administr ation , Towns e ndserve din a se r iesof positio ns at the J ustice  Dep artme nt, eve nt uallywor ki ng as inte l ligence p olicy  counse lforAtt orneyGene r a l Jan et R en o.She serve d as Di re c tor  ofthe O ff iceof Intern a tional A ffa i rs in t he  Cr i m inal D i vi s i on from No vem ber 1 9 9 5 until No v embe r  1 9 97, w hen sh e wasappoint e d A ct ing Dep uty A ssistantAttorneyG ene ra l. T ownsendwa s ap po int ed  Counsel for In telligen ce Polic y in
 was_born on_December 28, 1961 in_Mineola, New_York,_the daughter_of_John Fragos, a_Greek American roofer,_and Dorothy, an Irish_American office manager_for_a construction company. Raised in Wantagh, Long Island, Townsend was the first in her_family_to finish_high_school._At the age of 11,_she penned letters requesting that_she be_allowed to be an altar boy, first to_her_priest, then to_the bishop, the Cardinal, and ultimately to the Vatican._After her requests were refused, her_priest caught her_trying_to_sneak into Mass with_a borrowed robe. Her parents were_determined that their only child should_receive a college education, but could not_afford to send her to school._Townsend saved money by accelerating_her course_load, waiting tables and working_as a dormitory_adviser.

Townsend graduated_cum laude from_the American University in 1982, receiving_a B.A. in_Political Science and a B.S. in_Psychology._She received her_J.D._from_the University_of San Diego_School_of Law_in_1984, and in 1986, attended the_British_Institute of International and Comparative Law in_London, England.

Career
Townsend began her_prosecutorial_career in 1985, serving_as an Assistant District Attorney_in Brooklyn, New York. She gained_the support_and mentorship_of federal prosecutors Rudolph Giuliani and Louis Freeh. In 1988, she_was hired by Giuliani for the_United States Attorney's Office_for the_Southern_District of New_York_where she_worked on white-collar crime. Townsend also ran_the office's_organized crime unit, where she conducted_one-on-one interviews with members_of_the Gambino crime family.

Townsend moved to_the Justice Department in the early_1990s to work on international_legal_matters._In 1991, she worked in_the Office of the Attorney General_to assist in_establishing the newly created Office of International_Programs,_the predecessor to the Executive Office_for_National Security. In December 1993, she_joined_the_Criminal Division where she served_as Chief of Staff to the_Assistant Attorney General, where she took part in establishing_the Division's international_training and rule of law_programs.

During_the_Clinton administration, Townsend served in a series of positions at_the Justice_Department, eventually working_as intelligence policy counsel for Attorney General Janet Reno. She_served as Director of the Office of_International Affairs in the Criminal Division from November 1995 until November_1997, when she was appointed Acting Deputy Assistant_Attorney General. Townsend was appointed Counsel for_Intelligence Policy in