U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling To Step Down At End Of Month

BOSTON — U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew Lelling will resign at the end of February, his office announced Wednesday.

Lelling, who was appointed by former President Trump in 2017, gave his resignation to President Biden earlier this week. It is common for federal prosecutors to step down when a new party takes control of the White House.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell will be acting U.S. attorney until a replacement is chosen.

"It has been an honor to lead this office," Lelling said in a statement. "Over the last 15 years, I have had the privilege of working not only with the best federal prosecutors in the country, but with the federal, state and local law enforcement officers who put themselves at risk to keep Massachusetts safe."

Lelling's office prosecuted "Operation Varsity Blues," the high-profile college admissions scandal that his office called "the most significant federal enforcement action in U.S. history targeting corruption in college admissions."

Lelling's office also touted his prosecution of current and former State Troopers and Boston police officers in connection to overtime fraud, State Rep. David Nangle for alleged corruption and Newton District Court Judge Shelley Joseph for alleged obstruction of justice.

"This is a unique and powerful job – there is no flesh-and-blood client, but only an unshakable obligation to be fair and to work in the public interest," Lelling said.

Lelling has not said what is next for him, but has in the past indicated he may be interested in a run at politics.