The Boston Globe Magazine announced today that it has selected US
Attorney Carmen Ortiz as “Bostonian of the Year” for 2011. She will be
featured in a special edition of The Sunday Globe magazine on January 1,
and online at
www.bostonglobe.com/magazine
and boston.com. The magazine will also include profiles of several other
Bostonians notable for their achievements in 2011.
Ms. Ortiz most recently made international headlines as the lead
prosecutor in the infamous case of crime boss Whitey Bulger and his
long-time girlfriend Catherine Greig, who will likely stand trial next
year.
The Globe Magazine calls Ms. Ortiz “the fighter,” in recognition of her
long history of prosecuting political corruption cases – dating all the
way back to her summer job in 1980 when she interned at the US
Department of Justice’s public integrity unit, working alongside future
attorney general Eric Holder.
Since her nomination to the US Attorney post in Boston in November 2009,
Ortiz has continued her fight against corrupt political leaders –
high-profile investigations that began under her predecessor resulted in
trials and convictions under her watch. Former House speaker Salvatore
DiMasi, former state senator Dianne Wilkerson and former Boston city
councilor Chuck Turner are all now serving time in federal prison.
“We are excited to honor a woman who has faced, and cleared, many
hurdles – she is Boston’s first female and first Hispanic US attorney –
as Bostonian of the Year,” said Susanne Althoff, editor of The Boston
Globe Magazine. “Ms. Ortiz’ successful prosecutions of corruption cases
have had an indelible impact on the Massachusetts political landscape.”
However, Ms. Ortiz’ reign is not without challenges. Magazine staff
writer Scott Helman, in a profile, points out criticism from former
federal prosecutors and judges, and those cases which have not resulted
in convictions.
The profile illustrates Ms. Ortiz’ humble upbringing as the child of
immigrant parents in New York, how she made her way to a successful law
career, and the many tragedies she has faced in her personal life.