Branford’s Own Assistant US Attorney Receives Prestigious Award

Press Release from United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Assistant United States Attorney John B. Hughes received the prestigious Executive Achievement Award on Friday, December 9, at the 28th annual Director’s Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C.  U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys Director H. Marshall Jarrett presided over the ceremony.

“John has had an exceptional career in public service and has served the Department of Justice with the highest integrity and skill for more than 31 years, including the past 22 years as the Chief of the Civil Division for the District of Connecticut,” stated U.S. Attorney Fein.  “His wise counsel, legal acumen and superb supervisory skills have guided significant accomplishments by the Division and our Office.  This award is well deserved, and all of us in the Office are honored to work in his company.”

AUSA Hughes, a resident of Branford, joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut as a Special Assistant in February 1980, and was appointed an AUSA in November 1981.  In June 1989, he was named Chief of the Civil Division, and he has held that position since that time.  During his 31 years of service and, in particular, his time as Civil Division Chief, AUSA Hughes has demonstrated the highest level of integrity and skill in all his duties.  His rigorous attention to detail ensures that the Civil Division’s mission consistently reflects well on the District and Department.

Under his management, the District of Connecticut created robust Affirmative Civil Enforcement and Health Care Fraud programs, which have produced hundreds of millions of dollars in civil recoveries.  He has overseen the successful defense of numerous complex medical malpractice and tort cases, and he personally litigated tribal recognition cases involving voluminous records and discovery lasting several years.  Also, AUSA Hughes was a founding member and the first chairperson of the Civil Chiefs Working Group.

“For more than two decades, John has served as the sole supervisor of the Civil Division, which currently includes 16 attorneys,” stated U.S. Attorney Fein.  “John’s office door is always open, and he provides wise guidance and oversight to his AUSAs. His sense of humor, compassion, dedication to justice, and leadership have inspired and motivated the members of the Civil Division to produce their best efforts every day.”

AUSA Hughes was one of 163 members of the Department of Justice who were recognized during Friday’s ceremony, and one of only three to receive the Executive Achievement Award.  The awards were presented in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building in Washington, D.C.

In his prepared remarks during the ceremony, Attorney General Holder told the award recipients that they “represent the very best that this Department has to offer” and that their “work embodies our ongoing commitment – not merely to win cases, but to do justice; to protect our fellow citizens; to empower the most vulnerable among us; and to uphold the rule of law.”

EOUSA Director Jarrett added, “Each day the members of the US Attorneys’ community go to work for the citizens of this country with one goal in mind – to do everything they can to protect the rights of all Americans.  I am continually humbled by their resiliency, dedication, and unparalleled work ethic to accomplish this noble mission.  Today’s awardees exemplify what it truly means to be a patriot and it is an honor to recognize them for their extraordinary service.”

EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorneys’ offices around the country.  For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit www.usdoj.gov/usao.

The United States Attorney’s Office is charged with enforcing federal criminal laws in Connecticut, and with representing the federal government in civil litigation in the District.  The District is composed of more than 60 Assistant United States Attorneys and approximately 55 staff members at offices in New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport.  Please visit www.justice.gov/usao/ct for more information.