Carmen Ortiz
Carmen Ortiz | |
|---|---|
| United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | |
| Assumed office 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Loucks |
| Personal details | |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | George Washington University Law School |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Carmen Milagros Ortiz is the current US Attorney for the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. In 2009, she was nominated to the position by President Barack Obama.[1] Ortiz is both the first woman and the first Hispanic to serve as U.S. attorney for Massachusetts.[2]
Ortiz received her B.B.A at Adelphi University and her J.D. at George Washington University Law School. She was a senior trial attorney at the law firm of Morisi & Associates. For eight years, Ortiz was Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County, Mass. and later became an Assistant U.S. Attorney. [3][4]
Ortiz became the subject of controversy when she prosecuted internet activist and leader Aaron Swartz for downloading articles from internet archive JSTOR. Ortiz, who filed the indictment, equated the downloads with theft saying "Stealing is stealing whether you use a computer command or a crowbar, and whether you take documents, data or dollars." After Swartz's suicide in January 2013, Ortiz was criticized by MSNBC's Chris Hayes for her office having "prosecuted Aaron with such recklessly disproportionate vigor". Journalism professor Dan Kennedy reported that Aaron Swartz's death prompted "a wave of revulsion directed at U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz", including a White House petition to remove Ortiz from office.[5]
Ortiz has reportedly considering a campaign for the Governor of Massachusetts, but Ortiz has denied interest in such a run.[6]
References
- ^ [1]
- ^ Vennochi, Joan (June 23, 2011). "Power hitter". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ http://www.necc.mass.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Carmen-Ortiz-Bio-USA-Dec-2011.pdf]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Aaron Swartz, Carmen Ortiz and the American System of Justice
- ^ [3]