Mark Lesko
Acting United States Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division
In office
June 21, 2021 – November 1, 2021
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byJohn Demers
Succeeded byMatthew G. Olsen
Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York
In office
March 19, 2021 – June 21, 2021
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded bySeth DuCharme (acting)
Succeeded byJacquelyn M. Kasulis (acting)
Personal details
Born (1967-02-04) February 4, 1967
Political partyDemocratic
EducationYale University (BA)
Georgetown University (JD)

Mark J. Lesko[1] (born February 4, 1967) is an American politician and attorney who served as the acting Assistant Attorney General for the National Security Division at the United States Justice Department.[2] Prior to that, from January 20, 2021, he was named as acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. In addition to his career as a prosecutor in the United States Department of Justice, Lesko served as town supervisor of Brookhaven, New York.[3]

Early life and education

Lesko is a native of Washington, D.C. and graduated from Sidwell Friends School.[4] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Yale University, where he was a quarterback on the varsity football team. In 1994, Lesko received his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law School, graduating on the dean's list and serving as a notes editor of the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal.[5]

Career

After graduating from law school, Lesko practiced law at firms in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. He then served as assistant United States Attorney for 10 years. From 1999 to 2002, he was based in the District of Columbia and the Eastern District of New York from 2002 to 2009.[6]

As of 2009, Lesko was the Democratic candidate for the open Brookhaven town supervisor position, which was vacated by Democrat Brian X. Foley in the past election. Foley was elected to the New York State Senate and a special election is scheduled to be held on March 31, 2009, to decide his successor. Lesko was endorsed by Foley.[7] His opponent was town councilman Republican Tim Mazzei.[8] The special election for town supervisor on March 31, 2009, saw over 14% turnout according to the Suffolk County Board of Elections.[9] Lesko defeated Mazzei by over 4000 votes and he assumed office as the supervisor of Brookhaven.[10][11][12]

Lesko served as deputy chief of the Long Island Criminal Division, where he ran the U.S. Attorney's office on Long Island and managed all federal investigations and prosecutions in Brookhaven. From 2015 to 2018, Lesko was the vice president for economic development of Hofstra University.[13] In 2018, Lesko rejoined the United States Department of Justice, first serving as special counsel to the United States Attorney from the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn. In March 2019, he became first deputy U.S. Attorney under Richard Donoghue.[14] On March 19, 2021, after the resignation of U.S. Attorney Seth DuCharme, Lesko became acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.[15]

Personal life

Lesko and his wife Karen reside in East Setauket, New York.

References

  1. ↑ Saslow, Linda (April 2, 2009). "Supervisor for the Short Term in Brookhaven". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Brooklyn US Attorney Mark Lesko to Replace DOJ National Security Chief John Demers". NBC New York. June 14, 2021.
  3. ↑ Confessore, Nicholas; Hakim, Danny (November 5, 2008). "Democrats Are Poised to Control Albany". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  4. ↑ Parlato, Frank (January 31, 2019). "Lesko for the prosecution". Artvoice. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  5. ↑ Georgetown Law: Class of 1994: Mark J. Lesko (Page 28), includes photo
  6. ↑ "Power brokers eye Brookhaven supervisor election". Newsday. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Lesko takes oath as new Brookhaven supervisor". Newsday. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  8. ↑ Strickler, Andrew (January 11, 2009). "Mazzei, Lesko kick off campaigns". Newsday.com. Archived from the original on January 17, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Final Results of Special Election on Tuesday, March 31, 2009". Suffolk County Board of Elections.
  10. ↑ Whittle, Patrick. "Newcomer Lesko wins Brookhaven supervisor". Newsday. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  11. ↑ "UPDATED: Lesko Wins Brookhaven Town Supervisor Race". Three Village, NY Patch. November 6, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Lesko Looking to Bring Brookhaven Together". Sachem, NY Patch. March 17, 2010. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Mark Lesko Tapped as VP of Economic Development". News | Hofstra University, New York. October 17, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  14. ↑ "U.S. Attorney Donoghue appoints Lesko to be his No. 2". Newsday. March 25, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Acting U.S Attorney Seth D. DuCharme Announces Resignation From Office". www.justice.gov. March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
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