U.S. Attorney for NH Resigns

Emily Gray Rice, U.S. attorney for NH, speaking at the 2016 Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony in Concord. Photo: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of NH

Emily Gray Rice, U.S. attorney for NH, resigned effective March 10, 2017. Her resignation follows an order from the Trump Administration that called for 46 U.S. attorneys appointed by President Barack Obama to step down. Pursuant to the Vacancies Reform Act, John J. Farley, first assistant U.S. attorney, will serve as acting U.S. attorney for NH until a replacement is appointed by President Donald Trump.

Rice, appointed by President Obama on the recommendation of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and with the support of Sen. Kelly Ayotte, was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. She assumed her position in January 2016 and served as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District of NH, leading an office of more than 40 employees.

“I am deeply honored to have served the people of New Hampshire, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me by President Obama and our law enforcement and community partners,” says Rice. "During my tenure, New Hampshire faced unprecedented challenges to public health and safety, including the flood of illicit opioids into our state. I want to extend my profound gratitude to our federal partners, the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office, the New Hampshire State Police, the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police and the local police departments across New Hampshire, for their unfailing dedication to working with my office to improve the quality of life for all who live here."

Rice adds "I also want to recognize the tremendous work done by community partners in New Hampshire who serve vulnerable populations, and who work to combat addiction, human trafficking and violent crime and to support the victims of crime. Their energy and commitment are a consistent source of inspiration to me and my colleagues."

Farley, who has worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of NH since 2004, succeeded Rice as acting U.S. attorney for NH effectively immediately. He worked in the office's Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section and prosecuted drug trafficking cases in multiple federal districts, including the Eastern District of Virginia, the Southern District of Texas, the District of Puerto Rico, the District of Massachusetts and the Central District of California. He also worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of Massachusetts, where he prosecuted narcotics trafficking and public corruption cases.

Rice says Farley is a "superb lawyer, a talented manager and a deeply-respected colleague who meets the highest standards of excellence. He has been an indispensable partner in leading this office, and the public can be confident that he will seamlessly continue the work of the Department of Justice.”