Interim Suffolk DA named
Gov. Charlie Baker has selected a senior member of Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s executive staff to serve out the remainder of Conley’s term when he steps down today after more than 16 years as the chief law enforcement officer for Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop.
Assistant District Attorney John P. Pappas, a Suffolk prosecutor since 1994 and Conley’s chief trial counsel since 2011, will head the DA’s Office until a new district attorney, elected in November, takes office in January.
“Gov. Baker has made an outstanding selection,” Conley said in a statement. “John Pappas worked his way up from attending law school at night to supervising more than 150 lawyers responsible for tens of thousands of cases each year . ... As chief trial counsel, he is highly respected by our staff, the bench and the defense bar. And as an assistant district attorney assigned to some of Boston’s most serious violent crimes, he embraces our mission to speak for victims and pursue the interests of justice, in and out of the courtroom.”
Pappas pledged to ensure a seamless transition with Suffolk County’s next elected district attorney.
“I’m honored by the chance to lead an office of such talented, dedicated, and compassionate men and women who work so hard to achieve justice for the people of Suffolk County,” Pappas said in a statement. “And I am indebted to the individuals, families and communities who have taught me so much in my years as a prosecutor.”
Rachael Rollins, who won the Democratic nomination earlier this month for Suffolk district attorney, will face Mike Maloney, an independent and a Brockton defense attorney, in November’s election.
Conley announced in February that he would not seek a fifth term. He will become special counsel to the Boston law firm Mintz Levin’s litigation section and senior adviser to the firm’s government relations arm, ML Strategies.