U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary Takes Oath of Office at Community Investiture Ceremony

MACON, Ga. – U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary took the oath of office at a community-attended formal investiture ceremony at the William Augustus Bootle Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Macon this afternoon.

Approximately 150 community members, law enforcement, judges and civic leaders attended today’s investiture ceremony honoring U.S. Attorney Leary, who was officially sworn-in to serve as the presidentially-appointed and U.S. Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney on Dec. 12, 2022. Today’s investiture is a traditional ceremonial event, which included participation from Mr. Leary’s family, colleagues, members of the Court, as well as faith-based and civic groups.

“I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of Middle Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “There is much work to be done to curb violent crime and ensure equal justice for all. Our office commits wholeheartedly to these goals with our law enforcement and community partners.”

The investiture ceremony, which began at 2:30 p.m. today inside Courtroom One, was opened by Chief U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell and included an introduction of the judicial officers present representing the U.S. District Court, U.S. Magistrate Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of Georgia: Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner, Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self III, Senior Judge Hugh Lawson, Judge Charles H. Weigle, Chief Judge Austin E. Carter, and Judge James P. Smith.

The Reverend Arthur W. Villarreal of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta gave the invocation. Mr. Leary’s daughter, Fiona Leary, and Sophie Leigh of the Girl Scouts of America, Historic Georgia Council, Troop 60043, and Carter Sparks of the Boy Scouts of America, Central Georgia Council, Troop 10, presented the colors. Mr. Leary’s daughter, Bea Leary, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and his son, Declan Leary, performed a violin rendition of The National Anthem.

Ryan K.J. Dickey, Senior Counsel with the Department of Justice, and Brian P. Adams, an attorney with the Adams Law Firm, gave remarks. The Honorable Hugh Lawson administered the oath of office to Mr. Leary while his wife, Bridget Leary, held the family’s bible. Their son, William Bere Leary, read an excerpt from Berger v. United States.

For more information about Mr. Leary, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/meet-us-attorney.