{{Short description|American attorney}} {{use mdy dates |date=July 2020}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = John F. Walsh |image = John F. Walsh.jpg |caption = |office1 = [[Denver District Attorney's Office|District Attorney of Denver]] |term_start1 = January 14, 2025 |term_end1 = |predecessor1 = [[Beth McCann]] |successor1 = |office2 = [[United States District Court for the District of Colorado|United States Attorney for the District of Colorado]] |president2 = [[Barack Obama]] |term_start2 = August 16, 2010 |term_end2 = August 10, 2016 |predecessor2 = David Gaouette (acting) |successor2 = [[Robert Troyer]] |birth_name = |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|5|28}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.insideelections.com/news/article/candidate-conversation-john-walsh-d | title=Candidate Conversation - John Walsh (D) }}</ref> |birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S. |party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |education = [[Williams College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Stanford University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]]) }} '''John F. Walsh''' (born May 28, 1961) is an American attorney who served as the [[United States District Court for the District of Colorado|United States Attorney for the District of Colorado]] from 2010 to 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.justice.gov/usao-co/meet-us-attorney |title=Meet the U.S. Attorney |publisher=Justice.gov |access-date=2017-06-14 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115085518/http://www.justice.gov/usao-co/meet-us-attorney |archive-date=2016-01-15 }}</ref> Walsh was nominated by [[Barack Obama|President Barack Obama]] on April 14, 2010, and sworn in on August 16, 2010.<ref name=":5" /> When he stepped down in 2016, Walsh was the longest-serving U.S. attorney in Colorado history.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mitchell |first=Kirk |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2016/07/29/us-attorney-john-walsh-steps-down/ |title=U.S. Attorney John Walsh to step down, return to private practice |publisher=Denverpost.com |date=2016-07-29 |access-date=2017-06-14}}</ref>
== Education ==
Walsh attended [[Cherry Creek High School]], a public high school in the Cherry Creek School District.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2010/10/08/new-u-s-attorney-john-walsh-to-target-economic-crimes-terrorism/|title=New U.S. attorney John Walsh to target economic crimes, terrorism|last=Post|first=Felisa Cardona {{!}} The Denver|date=2010-10-08|website=The Denver Post|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref> He attended [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute]] for one year before transferring to [[Williams College]], where he graduated ''[[magna cum laude]]'' and [[Phi Beta Kappa]] with a B.A. degree in [[political science]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/insights/news/2017-01-09-former-us-attorney-john-walsh-joins-wilmerhale|title=Former US Attorney John Walsh Joins WilmerHale|website=www.wilmerhale.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref>
Walsh graduated with a JD from [[Stanford Law School]] in 1986. Walsh graduated [[Order of the Coif]] and with honors. He was the senior notes editor of the ''[[Stanford Law Review]]'' and president of the Stanford Public Interest Law Foundation.<ref name=":1" />
== Early career ==
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Walsh served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles,<ref name=":0" /> where he headed the office’s major frauds section.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/hot-sheet/ex-u-s-attorney-walsh-steps-down-from-law-firm/article_41cec424-49d7-11e9-8269-071bac79c903.html|title=Ex-U.S. Attorney Walsh steps down from law firm to mull run against Gardner|last=Politics|first=Ernest Luning, Colorado|website=Colorado Politics|language=en|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref> Walsh was involved in high-profile prosecutions of securities fraud,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-03-fi-519-story.html|title=Magna Promoter Sought : Indictment: Jacob Rubenstein is one of four men charged with manipulating stock of defunct Thousand Oaks company.|date=1990-04-03|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-04-10|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> investment schemes that targeted seniors,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-07-10-me-277-story.html|title=Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding 3 of Savings : Crime: A former insurance broker stole more than $600,000 from three elderly people. He faces up to 30 years in prison.|date=1990-07-10|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-04-10|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> and insurance fraud.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-03-me-1999-story.html|title=Game Show Winner Gets 5 Years for Insurance Scam|date=1988-05-03|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-04-10|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> He was a member of the team that prosecuted [[Charles Keating]] for his role in the [[savings and loan crisis]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://hillandrobbins.com/pdf/Post_Walsh_July25.pdf|title=John Walsh for District Attorney|date=2004-07-25|work=The Denver Post|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref>
Walsh led the federal investigation that resulted in the indictment and resignation of Governor [[Fife Symington]] of Arizona.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/feds-probe-symington-firma-grand-jury-investigates-the-governors-development-company-and-its-numerous-failed-real-estate-deals-6426254|title=FEDS PROBE SYMINGTON FIRMA GRAND JURY INVESTIGATES THE GOVERNOR'S DEVELOPMENT COMPANY AND ITS NUMEROUS FAILED REAL ESTATE DEALS|last=Dougherty|first=John|date=1993-09-29|website=Phoenix New Times|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref>
Walsh helped prosecute Norwalk Assemblyman Bruce E. Young,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-01-14-me-3187-story.html|title=Attorneys for Young Told Not to Make Trial a Circus|date=1987-01-14|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-04-10|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> who was sentenced to eighteen months in prison in what the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' called “one of the few successful political corruption prosecutions ever mounted against a California legislator.”<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-03-31-me-1555-story.html|title=Young Gets 18-Month Prison Term : Former Assemblyman Also Fined $5,000; Displays Contrition|date=1987-03-31|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-04-10|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref>
In 2004, Walsh ran for Denver District Attorney. The Denver Post endorsed Walsh, arguing that his “excellent combination of outlook, experience and skills” made him the best choice for the job.<ref name=":3" />
== United States Attorney ==
=== Appointment === On April 14, 2010, Walsh was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as [[United States Attorney]] for the District of Colorado. Walsh was unanimously confirmed by the [[United States Senate]] on August 5, 2010, and was sworn in on August 16, 2010.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/co/news/2010/August10/8_16_10.html|title=U.S. Attorney's Office - U.S. Department of Justice|last=Office (USAO)|first=U. S. Attorney's|website=www.justice.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref> Attorney General [[Eric Holder]] attended Walsh’s formal investiture on January 12, 2011 in [[Denver]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2011/01/13/ag-holder-flies-in-for-u-s-attorney-walshs-oath/|title=AG Holder flies in for U.S. Attorney Walsh's oath|last=Post|first=Felisa Cardona {{!}} The Denver|date=2011-01-13|website=The Denver Post|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref>
=== Record === Walsh pursued legal action against [[Citibank]] for misconduct that contributed to the [[Great Recession]]. His office won $4 billion dollars in fines and $2.5 billion in consumer relief.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aspenpublicradio.org/post/bringing-citibank-justice|title=Bringing CitiBank to Justice|last=Adams|first=Roger|website=www.aspenpublicradio.org|date=July 16, 2014|language=en|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref> The $7 billion resolution was the largest settlement in the history of the Colorado U.S. Attorney’s office.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/colorado-united-states-attorney-john-walsh-step-down-following-six-years-service|title=Colorado United States Attorney John Walsh to Step Down Following Six Years of Service|date=2016-07-29|website=www.justice.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref>
Walsh co-chaired the Department of Justice’s Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Working Group, a team of 55 attorneys, agents and analysts tasked with seeking criminal charges against individuals who committed mortgage fraud and contributed to the financial crisis.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-jan-27-la-fi-mortgage-working-group-20120127-story.html|title=New initiative will coordinate probes of mortgage meltdown|date=2012-01-27|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-04-10|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref>
Walsh prosecuted the pharmaceutical company [[GlaxoSmithKline]] (GSK) for misconduct in the marketing of its products.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2012/07/02/colorado-to-receive-4-5-million-in-settlement-with-glaxosmithkline-4/|title=Colorado to receive $4.5 million in settlement with GlaxoSmithKline|last=Post|first=Kevin C. Keller {{!}} The Denver|date=2012-07-02|website=The Denver Post|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref> GSK pled guilty and paid a $3 billion penalty, the largest health care fraud fine in history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://depauliaonline.com/8092/news/glaxosmithkline-pays-3-billion-in-healthcare-fraud-settlement/|title=GlaxoSmithKline pays $3 billion in healthcare fraud settlement|last=Carter|first=Monica|website=The DePaulia|date=July 9, 2012|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref>
=== Resignation === Walsh stepped down as U.S. Attorney on July 29, 2016. Upon his resignation, the Department of Justice praised Walsh for concluding “the largest federal penalty cases in Colorado’s history, collecting literally billions of dollars on behalf of American taxpayers and the United States Treasury.”<ref name=":4" />
== Private practice ==
On January 9, 2017, Walsh joined the law firm [[Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr|WilmerHale]] as a partner in their Denver Office.<ref name=":1" />
In early 2019, the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network announced that Walsh and a team of WilmerHale attorneys will be honored with the Network's 2019 Pro Bono Service Award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rmian.org/immigrant-liberty-awards|title=Immigrant Liberty Awards|website=RMIAN|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-10|archive-date=March 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320212942/https://www.rmian.org/immigrant-liberty-awards|url-status=dead}}</ref> Walsh’s team represented immigrant parents and relatives detained and separated from their children under the Trump administration's [[Trump administration family separation policy|family separation policy]].<ref name=":1" />
== Return to politics == [[File:John F. Walsh 2024-2.JPG|200px|thumb|Campaigning for Denver DA in 2024]] On March 18, 2019, Walsh stepped down from his job at WilmerHale to run for the United States Senate seat then held by Republican [[Cory Gardner]]. Walsh dropped out of the race after former Colorado Governor [[John Hickenlooper]] announced his candidacy for the seat.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wingerter |first=Justin |date=September 11, 2019 |title=John Walsh drops out of U.S. Senate race, backs John Hickenlooper |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/09/11/john-walsh-colorado-senate-hickenlooper/ |url-status=deviated |work=The Denver Post |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410124041/https://www.denverpost.com/2019/09/11/john-walsh-colorado-senate-hickenlooper/ |archive-date=April 10, 2024 |access-date=June 30, 2024}}</ref>
In 2024, Walsh announced his candidacy for [[Denver District Attorney's Office|Denver District Attorney]]. He won the Democratic Party primary on June 25th, making him the presumptive winner in the November general election, as he faces no significant opposition.<ref>{{cite news |last=Erblat |first=Austen |date=June 26, 2024 |title= John Walsh wins race for Denver District Attorney |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/john-walsh-wins-denver-district-attorney/ |url-status=live |work=CBS News Colordo |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628080501/https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/john-walsh-wins-denver-district-attorney/ |archive-date=June 28, 2024 |access-date=June 30, 2024}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Walsh lives in Denver with his wife, Lisa.<ref name=":0" />
Walsh serves on the board of directors of Invest in Kids, a Colorado nonprofit focused on early childhood education and health.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iik.org/about-us/board/|title=Invest In Kids {{!}} Board|website=www.iik.org|access-date=2019-04-10}}</ref> He has previously served on the boards of directors of the Colorado Lawyers Committee, the Faculty of Federal Advocates, the Leadership Denver Alumni Association, and the United States-Mexico Law Institute.<ref name=":1" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.walshfordenver.com/ Denver DA Campaign website] *{{C-SPAN|69810}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Walsh, John F.}} [[Category:1961 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:United States attorneys for the District of Colorado]] [[Category:Colorado Democrats]] [[Category:Stanford Law School alumni]] [[Category:Candidates in the 2020 United States Senate elections]] [[Category:Williams College alumni]] [[Category:Cherry Creek High School alumni]]