New U.S. Attorney For Middle District

There’s a new U.S. Attorney in Nashville.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions appointed Mark H. Wildasin to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Wildasin has served as the Civil Chief for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Nashville since January 2006.

Acting U.S. Attorney Jack Smith announced his retirement in early August.

Under Smith’s leadership, the U.S. Attorney’s office successfully prosecuted at least two Upper Cumberland cases.

White County’s Jeff Gentry pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering last month related to a Ponzi scheme he operated from his tractor supply business. He’ll be sentenced in November. Former Fentress County Sheriff Chucky Cravens plead guilty to honest services fraud and deprivation of rights. He was sentenced to 33 months in prison. Cravens offered female inmates special services in exchange for sexual favors.

Smith stepped into the acting U.S. Attorney role after former U.S. Attorney David Rivera resigned in March. President Donald Trump requested the resignations of all U.S. Attorneys at the same time.

Wildasin will serve as U.S. Attorney for 120 days, or until the U.S. Senate approves a candidate appointed by President Trump.