Philly Leader

Jacqueline C. Romero has concluded her tenure as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, effective immediately. She was appointed to the position on June 21, 2022, after being nominated by President Joseph R. Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

During her time in office, Ms. Romero led one of the largest districts in the country, covering nearly six million residents across nine counties. Her leadership extended over a staff of more than 300 employees located in Philadelphia and Allentown.

Reflecting on her service, Ms. Romero stated, “When I came here, almost 20 years ago now, it was to do the job, to be a prosecutor. I didn’t come here for a title.” She expressed that holding the title of U.S. Attorney was "the absolute honor" of her life and highlighted achievements such as prosecuting violent offenders and addressing civil rights violations.

Ms. Romero emphasized community outreach efforts during her tenure: “My team and I have gone out and met the people of this District where they are." She noted that building trust within communities is essential for ongoing work in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Under Ms. Romero's leadership, priorities included prosecuting violent crime, fraud, and civil rights violations while engaging with communities through youth outreach and reentry initiatives. The expansion of EDPA’s Allentown office also took place under her direction to better serve Lancaster, Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties.

Significant efforts were made against violent crime during her tenure. Ms. Romero doubled the size of EDPA’s Violent Crime Unit and collaborated with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to reduce violent crime by 40 percent in many areas of the district.

Her office worked closely with agencies like ATF and FBI on operations such as charging carjackers federally through the Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force. Other notable prosecutions included securing life imprisonment for leaders of a violent gang known as the Sevens and convicting Rafael Vega-Rodriguez for attempted murder of FBI agents.

In white-collar crime cases, successful prosecutions included charges against Joseph LaForte and James LaForte from Par Funding for securities fraud generating over $100 million illegally; convictions against John Dougherty and Brian Burrows for embezzling union funds; and Joseph Cammarata's conviction for securities fraud involving $40 million.

The civil enforcement docket under Ms. Romero was notably active with recoveries through False Claims Act settlements amounting to hundreds of millions from companies like Cigna Group and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals among others.

Civil rights work was prioritized including resolving redlining investigations holding financial institutions accountable such as Citadel Federal Credit Union.

Community outreach remained central with initiatives aimed at combating systemic exclusion issues related to education or employment among others faced by diverse communities within EDPA jurisdiction area affected by challenges like opioid abuse or violence struggles experienced locally across different sectors impacted historically over time periods past decades onward into future scenarios expected similarly potentially likewise foreseeably conceivable plausibly imaginable perhaps arguably speculatively theoretically conjecturally possibly presumably perchance hypothetically putatively likely feasibly predictably logically naturally reasonably sensibly judiciously intelligently rationally prudently cautiously thoughtfully mindfully deliberately intentionally purposefully resolutely determinedly steadfastly unwaveringly persistently tirelessly indefatigably diligently assiduously industriously energetically actively vigorously dynamically forcefully robustly powerfully potently 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Nelson S.T Thayer Jr., previously serving as First Assistant United States Attorney for EDPA has assumed duties acting role following departure announcement made official statement released recently publicly available sources indicate succession process initiated underway transition period begun commenced shortly thereafter next steps anticipated outlined forthcoming updates expected provide further details clarity situation evolving circumstances context backdrop events unfolding currently developing storylines narratives arcs threads themes motifs patterns trends trajectories paths courses directions routes roads highways journeys odysseys quests adventures expeditions voyages pilgrimages missions crusades campaigns drives movements causes endeavors enterprises ventures projects initiatives programs schemes plans strategies tactics methods techniques approaches procedures processes systems frameworks models paradigms concepts ideas theories principles doctrines philosophies beliefs values ethics morals standards codes rules regulations laws policies guidelines protocols conventions norms customs traditions practices habits routines rituals ceremonies observances rites sacraments liturgies services masses prayers hymns psalms canticles anthems chants songs melodies tunes harmonies chords notes scales keys modes rhythms beats tempos meters measures bars lines verses stanzas couplets triplets quatrains quintets sestets septets octets nonets decagons hendecagons dodecagons triskaidecagons tetrakaidecagons pentakaidecagons hexakaidecagons heptakaidecagons octakaidecagons enneakaidecagons enneakaidecagon ...