Attorney General Eric Holder announced today the appointment of United States Attorney John F. Walsh, shown left, for the District of Colorado as chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of United States Attorneys (AGAC).  Attorney General Holder also appointed United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian for the Northern District of New York to serve as vice chair.  Both appointments are effective immediately.

“Throughout their respective tenures in Colorado and the Northern District of New York, John Walsh and Richard Hartunian have been thoughtful leaders of the United States Attorney community, fierce advocates for the citizens they serve, and champions of the cause of justice,” said Attorney General Holder.  “Each of them has been instrumental in addressing sensitive legal issues, handling difficult cases, and shaping and implementing critical Smart on Crime reforms.  I thank John and Richard for agreeing to lead the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee – and for lending their perspectives and deep experience to the pressing policy questions about which I, and Attorney General-designate Loretta Lynch, will surely look to them for guidance and counsel.”

U.S. Attorney Walsh previously served on the AGAC from February 2011 to January 2013 as the chair of the Medical Marijuana Working Group and co-chair of the White Collar/Fraud Subcommittee.  He replaces U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Attorney General nominee Loretta E. Lynch.

U.S. Attorney Hartunian, shown right,  was appointed to the AGAC in April 2013 and has served as the chair of the Border and Immigration Subcommittee in addition to serving on several committees.  He replaces Acting Deputy Attorney General and former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Sally Quillian Yates.