President Obama has nominated a new US Attorney for Middle Tennessee. David Rivera has already served in that role for more than a year. Obama announced his nomination, along with a new US Attorney for the Middle District of Florida.
“These two men have proven themselves to be not only top-flight attorneys but dedicated public servants,” President Obama said in a statement. “I am grateful for the work they have already done on behalf of the American people and confident that they will ensure justice is served as United States Attorneys.”
Rivera was named acting US Attorney, after Jerry Martin stepped down to enter private practice. Martin says Rivera has continued his push to prosecute white-collar crime, especially in the health care sector.
“His nomination is bad news for people who would engage in health care fraud.”
In the past year, Rivera has handled cases involving an ambulance company and pediatrician, both accused of filing false billing claims with Medicaid and Medicare. Rivera has a long history as a prosecutor, including stints as an assistant DA in Florida and New York. He joined the US Attorney’s office in Puerto Rico in 1994, and began working in the Nashville office a decade later.
The US Senate will vote on his nomination.
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