Michael Sullivan

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Michael Sullivan, an expert in health care, government program fraud, corporate compliance and ethics, corruption, and corporate security, has extensive policy and regulatory experience.  A lawyer for more than 20 years, he has represented individuals and companies in both civil and criminal matters.

In 2001, Sullivan was appointed U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. While there, he created a National Security and Anti-Terrorism section, a Health Care Fraud unit, and units devoted to computer crime and intellectual property theft. The District was recognized as a leader in combating health care fraud, recovering more than $4 billion—about half of the nation’s total recoveries. Sullivan also served on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee and served as the Chair of the United States Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Working Group as well as serving on the national security, civil rights, sentencing, violent crime, drugs, and cyber crime subcommittees.

In addition to serving as U.S. Attorney, in 2006 the President appointed Sullivan Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). He was nominated Director in 2007 and served until January 2009. As the ATF Director, Sullivan led the agency’s 5,000 employees who are charged with regulating the firearms and explosives industry, investigating illegal trafficking of firearms and explosives, violent criminal organizations, and preventing terrorism.

Sullivan was Plymouth County District Attorney from 1995 to 2001.  He was a leader in the fight against child abuse, domestic violence and elder abuse and closed a number of unsolved murders.

From 1991 to 1995, Sullivan served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives where he sat on the Education, Local Affairs, Commerce and Labor, Ways and Means and Post Audit and Oversight Committees and concentrated on reforming education, the worker’s compensation and criminal justice systems.

Before government service, Sullivan was with the Gillette Company for 16 years, starting as a stock clerk and holding positions in human resource management, quality operations and Assistant to the President.  He also practiced law with McGovern & Sullivan, P.C. and Bolles & Pritchard.

Sullivan received his undergraduate degree from Boston College and his Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School.