Carmen M. Ortiz '78, United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, to Speak at Adelphi

Adelphi University President Robert A. Scott is proud to present Carmen M. Ortiz ’78 as the next guest speaker for “The President’s Series on Critical Issues” who will deliver “U.S. Attorneys: Fighting Healthcare Fraud to Ensure Patient Safety and Protect Taxpayers.” Ms. Ortiz is the United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts and was nominated for the position by President Barack Obama. Impressively, Ms. Ortiz is not only the first Hispanic to represent Massachusetts as United States attorney; she is also the first woman. She will speak on Tuesday, November 15, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in Adelphi University’s Alumni House, 154 Cambridge Avenue, Garden city, NY 11530. A light breakfast will be served.

Ms. Ortiz was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2009, as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. As the chief federal law enforcement of Massachusetts, Ms. Ortiz supervises the prosecution of all federal crimes and the litigation of all civil matters in which the government has an interest. Her top priorities include terrorism and national security, healthcare fraud, civil rights, violent crime reduction, and white collar crime. Two of her many memorable investigations and contributions include her 1991 investigation of the New England Patriots on behalf of the National Football League, and her 2010 implementation of the District of Massachusetts’ first civil rights initiative. Ms. Ortiz also oversees the work of more than 200 attorneys and support staff in Boston, Worcester, and Springfield.

Her public service career began as the Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Economic Crimes Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office where she also served as Grand Jury Supervisor (Massachusetts), and also served as the Grand Jury Supervisor. Additionally, she has held many other positions including Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County, and Program Associate and Training Coordinator at the Harvard Law School’s Center for Criminal Justice.

Ms. Ortiz graduated from Adelphi University (B.B.A.) and George Washington University Law School (J.D.). Some of her other noteworthy honors include El Planeta Newspaper, 100 Most Influential People for the Hispanic Community of Massachusetts (2011) and Massachusetts Women’s Bar Association, Pioneering Women of Color Award (2010).

Dr. Robert A. Scott launched Adelphi’s “President’s Series on Critical Issues” in 2001 to provide students, scholars, and distinguished guests with an intimate forum in which to explore critical local, regional, national, and global topics. 

Seating is limited and reservations are required for this event. R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, November 9, 2011, to Maggie Yoon at yoon@adelphi.edu.