Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey today lauded the confirmation of Peter Joseph Smith to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Smith was confirmed late last night by the full Senate by a unanimous consent agreement.
“Peter Smith has extensive experience in criminal prosecutions and investigations and will make an excellent U.S. Attorney,” Senator Specter said. “The Senate has confirmed an accomplished individual with solid credentials, and he will continue to serve Pennsylvania well in this important position.”
“Peter Smith's unanimous confirmation speaks to his qualifications and record as a prosecutor and public servant,” said Senator Casey. “He brings a wealth of experience, integrity and judgment as the next U.S. Attorney for the people of Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
Smith will serve as the chief federal law enforcement officer of the office which oversees federal criminal and civil cases in Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Most recently, Smith served as Pennsylvania’s Deputy State Treasurer where he was responsible for audits and investigations from 2005-2009. From 1997-2005, Smith worked in the Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General where he headed up the Office of Special Investigations. Prior to that, Smith spent three years in Washington, D.C. serving as Deputy Chief of the Environmental Crimes Section in the US Department of Justice. In 1987, Smith was named Pennsylvania’s first Inspector General by Governor Bob Casey, Sr. where, for four years, he investigated complaints of fraud, waste and abuse of state employees in executive agencies and made criminal case referrals to US Attorneys and State Attorney. From 1976 to 1987, Smith was an Assistant US Attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania where he prosecuted criminal cases relating to public corruption, fraud, environmental crime, tax fraud, and consumer protection. Smith began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia where he worked under then-District Attorney Arlen Specter from 1971 to 1973.
Smith received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law School in 1971 and graduated with a BA in English from Wilkes Barre’s King College in 1962. Smith resides in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
###
