Two Californians in Line for Treasury Positions

Two well-known Californians are expected to receive appointments to top jobs in the Treasury Department, one as assistant secretary for law enforcement and the other as U.S. commissioner of customs, Bush Administration officials said Wednesday.

Peter K. Nunez, former U.S. attorney in San Diego and a longtime Republican activist, is to be named assistant secretary. The customs commissioner will be Carol Boyd Hallett, former California state assemblywoman and ambassador to the Bahamas.

Both were recommended by Treasury Secretary Nicholas F. Brady. Nunez, whose nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate, will replace Salvatore R. Martouche, a Ronald Reagan Administration appointee.

Hallett will succeed William von Raab, who resigned earlier this year after differences with Brady and the Treasury’s senior staff. Her appointment does not require Senate confirmation. She is expected to begin work within a few weeks.

Nunez, a member of a law firm for the last year, was U.S. attorney in San Diego from 1982 through mid-1988 and an assistant U.S. attorney for three years before that. Officials said that he has extensive experience in enforcement of drug laws.

Hallett was a member of the California Assembly from 1976 to 1982 and was Republican leader from 1979 to 1982, leaving to become state director of parks and recreation in 1983.

From 1984 through 1985, she was assistant to the secretary of the Interior for Western regional operations. Reagan appointed her ambassador to the Bahamas in 1986.