United States Attorney Patrick L. Meehan

On September 17, 2001, Patrick L. Meehan was sworn in as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The United States Attorney’s Office, located in Philadelphia, is comprised of over 200 attorneys and support staff. During his first year as U.S. Attorney, under an Executive Order from President Bush, Mr. Meehan formed the Anti-Terrorism Task Force (ATTF) to combat and prevent future terrorist attacks. The ATTF, later renamed the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC), in the Eastern District is a coordinated partnership among federal, state, and local law enforcement and emergency responders and is recognized as a national model.

In addition to its work in counter-terrorism, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under Mr. Meehan’s leadership, has been nationally recognized for its work in combating violent crime. In implementing the President’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, Mr. Meehan has obtained unprecedented cooperation among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies throughout the district. Specifically, in partnership with the nine elected district attorneys in region, Mr. Meehan’s office has adopted cases against some of the most violent criminals in the district for federal prosecution. These prosecutions have led to average prison sentences of almost nine years -- far more severe than had those same cases been prosecuted locally.

Most recently, Mr. Meehan developed what is now called the “Route 222 Corridor Anti-Gang Initiative.” Local elected officials, federal, state, and local law enforcement, along with community and faith based organizations have come together to prevent and fight the insurgence of gangs in an area spanning five cities and four counties in rural and industrial parts of the district. The program calls for a coordinated response among law enforcement, along with an increase in prevention programs in schools and community organizations, plus specialized services for former inmates returning to their neighborhoods.

Mr. Meehan has made the protection of children, senior citizens, and the disadvantaged a top priority in his office. Not only has the office prosecuted many of those who prey on children via the Internet, but Mr. Meehan has convened dozens of community forums to educate parents on how they can protect their children from becoming victims. The office has also prosecuted nursing homes and elder care facilities for failing to provide the required services to senior citizens, and has brought cases against predatory lenders who prey on senior citizens and disadvantaged homeowners. In addition, the office continues its nationally recognized work in healthcare fraud and has achieved total settlements of over half a billion dollars the last two years with several of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical companies and pharmacy benefit managers.

In the area of corporate fraud, Mr. Meehan was invited by President Bush to serve on the Corporate Fraud Task Force. The Task Force provides direction for the investigation and prosecution of everything from securities and accounting fraud to related financial crimes committed by CEOs and employees. Mr. Meehan has also served on the White Collar Fraud subcommittee of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee and remains dedicated to bringing cases against public officials who illegally use their office for personal gain.

Mr. Meehan’s career in public service began in 1995 when he was elected District Attorney of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. His tenure as District Attorney was highlighted by a number of community-based initiatives. He created the Special Victims Unit for Domestic Violence, which insured that prosecutions could proceed without requiring the victim to testify. This encouraged victims to apply for protection from abuse orders. Mr. Meehan was instrumental in expanding the number of Youth Aid Panels for first time offenders and in establishing a truancy project to cut daytime crime. Mr. Meehan’s efforts led to the establishment of the Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force here in Pennsylvania.

Prior to being elected District Attorney, Mr. Meehan served as senior counsel and executive director for United States Senator Arlen Specter, and worked as an associate with the law firm of Dilworth Paxson. He earned a B.A. in 1978 from Bowdoin College and his J.D. from Temple University School of Law in 1986. Mr. Meehan grew up in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, and currently resides in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.