SCRANTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Gerard M. Karam was sworn in today as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The oath of office was administered by Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Karam was nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney by President Biden on April 22, 2022, and was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 13, 2022. Mr. Karam replaces John C. Gurganus, who was appointed United States Attorney by U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland on an interim basis on November 17, 2021.
Mr. Karam, of Dickson City, Pennsylvania, will lead the office which covers 33 Pennsylvania counties located in Central and Northeast Pennsylvania. Mr. Karam was a partner in the Scranton law firm of Mazzoni, Karam, Petorak and Valvano for 27 years, and served as the managing partner for 20 years. Mr. Karam’s practice focused on complex civil and criminal litigation. His experience includes corporate and individual representation on cases involving civil rights violations, corporate compliance laws, homicide, public corruption, tax evasion, drug offenses, fraud offenses, firearms offenses and personal injury claims.
Mr. Karam has a background in public service including serving as Assistant Public Defender in the County of Lackawanna from 1990-1993. In 1994, he was promoted to Chief Public Defender, a position he held for 10 years. From 2010-2022, Mr. Karam served as General Counsel to the Housing Authority of Lackawanna County, a Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Agency.
Mr. Karam is a former President of the Lackawanna Bar Association. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Mr. Karam earned a Bachelor of Science from Saint Joseph’s University in 1984 and received his law degree in 1987 from Loyola University School of Law.
“It is a great honor and privilege to be sworn in as United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania,” said U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam. “I look forward to working with the talented and dedicated staff of the United States Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement and community partners in pursuit of justice.”
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