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Trump administration appoints new interim U.S. attorney for Mass.
Leah Belaire Foley was appointed by Acting Attorney General James McHenry on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump’s administration has appointed a new United States Attorney for Massachusetts, selecting a federal prosecutor with more than 20 years of experience to serve in the role.
Leah Belaire Foley was appointed by Acting Attorney General James McHenry on Tuesday. Attorneys general can appoint U.S. attorneys to serve for up to 120 days. To serve longer, the attorney must be nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
Foley’s appointment to be the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts comes after the resignation of Joshua Levy, who left the position three days before Trump took office.
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“I can think of no greater mission than that of public service and it is the honor of a lifetime to now serve in the capacity of U.S. Attorney,” Foley said in a statement. “I am profoundly humbled by the opportunity to serve our great nation as the chief federal law enforcement officer in Massachusetts. I look forward to working with the outstanding men and women of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to protect our communities and support the principles of the rule of law.”
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According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Foley joined the office in 2006 as an assistant U.S. attorney in the criminal division and most recently had been serving as the deputy chief of the narcotics and money laundering unit.
“Ms. Foley brings extensive experience in prosecuting complex federal crimes and leading significant Department operations,” the office said.
Foley previously served as the lead attorney for the office’s organized crime and drug enforcement task force. Prior to becoming a federal prosecutor, she served as council to the United States Senate Judiciary Committee and as an associate at diGenova & Toensing in Washington D.C.
According to the State House News Service, Foley was interviewed for the top prosecutor job in Massachusetts in 2017 during Trump’s first term. The position ultimately went to Andrew Lelling.
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