FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 6, 2009
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/MA
CONTACT: CHRISTINA DiIORIO-STERLING
PHONE: (617)748-3356
E-MAIL: USAMA.MEDIA@USDOJ.GOV
CARMEN M. ORTIZ CONFIRMED AS UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
The United States Senate has confirmed Carmen Milagros Ortiz as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. Ms. Ortiz was nominated by President Barack Obama on September 17, 2009.
In response to her confirmation, Ms. Ortiz said, “I am truly honored and humbled by the confidence President Obama has shown in me by appointing me as the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. I would like to thank the members of the U.S. Senate, including Senator Kerry and Interim Senator Kirk, for their support and their vote in favor of my confirmation.
I would also like to acknowledge the support of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy. When he called last May to tell me that he and Senator Kerry were forwarding my name to the President, we spoke about public service. I have had time to reflect upon our conversation and come to truly appreciate what public service meant to him. I continue to be inspired by his commitment to this great nation and the citizens of Massachusetts, including his efforts to ensure that all citizens, including those less fortunate, have a voice in our public institutions. I told Senator Kennedy that if confirmed, I would make him proud – and I intend to honor his legacy. I will work tirelessly on behalf of the Department of Justice to serve with fervor, passion and integrity, answering what I consider to be the greatest calling – public service.
It is certainly a profound honor to be afforded the opportunity to work for the Department of Justice and work alongside the most talented professionals in law enforcement. I am excited about the challenges that lie ahead and committed to fulfilling the trust reflected in my appointment.”
Prior to her confirmation as U.S. Attorney, Ms. Ortiz was an Assistant United States Attorney for twelve years at the United States Attorney’s Office, most recently in the Economic Crimes Unit. Before joining the United States Attorney’s Office, Ms. Ortiz was a senior trial attorney at the law firm of Morisi & Associates, P.C. from 1995 through 1997, working exclusively on civil, criminal and governmental agency litigation.
During Ms. Ortiz’s legal career, she has been an Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County, where she held various positions, including Director of District Courts. Ms. Ortiz was also a member of the “October Surprise” team for the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in 1992, during which she investigated allegations that the Reagan/Bush campaign of 1980 sought to delay the release of the hostages in Iran to affect that year’s election.
She also was a Program Associate and Training Coordinator at Harvard Law School’s Center for Criminal Justice from 1989 through 1991, working on the Harvard/Guatemala Criminal Justice Project, which entailed collaborating with the judiciary of Guatemala and other legal professionals to implement criminal justice reforms in that country. In 1991, on behalf of the National Football League, Ms. Ortiz investigated allegations of sexual harassment that were made by a sports writer against the New England Patriots. Ms. Ortiz started her legal career as a trial attorney in the Honors Program at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division.
Ms. Ortiz is a graduate of George Washington University Law School and has been practicing law since 1981.
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