Department of Justice Announces Jeffrey Ragsdale to Head the Office of Professional Responsibility

The Department of Justice today announced Jeffrey Ragsdale will be appointed as the head of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).  Jeffrey Ragsdale replaced Corey Amundson as the Acting Director on Sept. 30, 2019, and has been serving in that role ever since.  As the head of the OPR, Mr. Ragsdale will lead a component of the Department of Justice that investigates misconduct allegations against Department attorneys, immigration judges, and law enforcement agents.  He is the fifth permanent head since the office was founded in 1975.

“As the nation’s top law enforcement agency, the Department of Justice must always conduct itself in accord with the highest professional standards,” said Attorney General William P. Barr.  “The Office of Professional Responsibilities is instrumental in this effort.  I am excited to announce that I will be appointing Jeffrey Ragsdale to be its new Director and Chief Counsel.  Jeff has shown throughout his illustrious career at the Department that he is a dedicated public servant who knows the importance of the rule of law as well as our ethical responsibilities as the attorneys representing the United States.”

Jeffrey Ragsdale has served as the Principal Deputy Director and Deputy Counsel for the OPR since September 2016.  He is currently the Acting Director and Chief Counsel.  Prior to joining OPR, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia for 29 years, during which time he tried a large number of cases, including homicides and complex narcotics case.  He also served as a manager and supervised numerous litigation sections in both the Superior Court and Criminal Divisions, including serving as the chief of the Homicide Section for eight years.

Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Ragsdale served as a state prosecutor in Virginia for five years.  Mr. Ragsdale has a B.A. from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati.  He is a member of the Virginia and District of Columbia bars.