Longtime federal prosecutor Leah B. Foley sworn in as new U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts

BOSTON — Longtime federal prosecutor Leah B. Foley is the new U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts.

Foley, who previously served as Assistant U.S. Attorney, was sworn in to her new role on Tuesday afternoon, one day after her appointment as U.S. Attorney by Acting Attorney General James McHenry. She replaces former U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy, who stepped down from his role on Friday.

Foley has more than two decades of experience as a federal prosecutor within the Department of Justice, according to a statement released Tuesday from the U.S. Attorney’s office.

“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. I am profoundly humbled by the opportunity to serve our great nation as the chief federal law enforcement officer in Massachusetts,” Foley said in a statement.

“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,” Foley said.

Foley has been a federal prosecutor for 23 years, first serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia and, most recently, the District of Massachusetts after joining the office in 2006 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division, according to biographical information provided the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Prior to being appointed as U.S. Attorney, Foley served as Deputy Chief of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit where she supervised international and domestic narcotics investigations and international money laundering, immigration, human trafficking and firearms cases.

She has also served as the Lead Attorney for Boston’s Organized Crime & Drug Enforcement Task Force since 2013.

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia, Foley prosecuted violent crimes, sex crimes, felony narcotics and firearms cases. She also authored appellate briefs and argued before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

Prior to her tenure with the Department of Justice, Foley served as Counsel to the U.S. Senate, Committee on the Judiciary from 1998-2002.

In that role, Foley advised Sen. Orrin Hatch, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee on drug policy and other criminal law matters, according to biographical information provided the U.S. Attorney’s office. She also negotiated policy issues with representatives of elected officials, federal agencies, public interest groups and private organizations.

Foley has traveled to foreign countries to assess American law enforcement initiatives abroad and has also worked with foreign law enforcement and officials to combat international drug trafficking.

Before starting her career in public service, Foley worked as an associate at diGenova & Toensing, a firm in Washington D.C. that represents clients in tax, antitrust, securities fraud and FEC violations cases.

Foley received a Master of Laws from Georgetown University Law Center in 1996 after receiving her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she studied, English, Philosophy and French.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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