Henry C. Leventis, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, has announced his resignation effective October 4, 2024. Leventis expressed his gratitude to President Biden, Attorney General Garland, and Senators Blackburn and Hagerty for the opportunity to lead the office and work with dedicated public servants.
During his two-year tenure, Leventis led an office comprising 85 federal prosecutors and support personnel, serving a district that spans 32 counties and is home to over 2.6 million people. His focus areas included public safety, civil rights protection, and combating fraud in the healthcare industry.
Latest TN News
### Public Safety
Leventis and his team strengthened public safety initiatives in middle Tennessee, including revamping the Project Safe Neighborhoods program in Davidson County. They collaborated with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security to address violence threats and partnered with national experts for training in critical areas, such as human trafficking. Significant public safety achievements included prosecuting international gangs, drug trafficking organizations, and individuals involved in violent crimes, as well as a $59 million settlement with eBay over the sale of industrial-grade pill press machines.
### Civil Rights
Under Leventis’ leadership, the office aggressively pursued civil rights enforcement, community outreach, and partnerships with the Department’s Civil Rights Division. The office intervened in a lawsuit challenging Tennessee’s gender-affirming care ban and successfully prosecuted public officials for civil rights violations. They also reached settlements under the Americans with Disabilities Act and initiated a federal civil rights investigation into the state’s largest prison.
### Health Care
Leventis prioritized addressing fraud, waste, and abuse in federal healthcare programs. His office prosecuted healthcare executives, physicians, and other stakeholders while reaching civil settlements with various healthcare entities. He also increased outreach to healthcare industry stakeholders to highlight enforcement efforts and enlist their help in identifying fraud and abuse.
Following his resignation, Leventis plans to return to private practice.
Source: Read Original Release
Nashville Appoints New Director for Sustainable Cities
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell has appointed Robert L. James Jr. as the Director of the city’s Innovation Team for the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative, focusing on climate action and racial wealth equity.