BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced today that she has appointed Paul Ware as a Special Assistant Attorney General assigned to oversee the criminal investigation into the July 2006 Central Artery Tunnel collapse that took the life of Milena Del Valle, age 38, of Boston.
"Paul is one of the brightest and most talented attorneys in the Commonwealth," said Attorney General Coakley. "This investigation is complicated, and it is crucial for the sake of the residents of Massachusetts, that we complete it well and quickly. I am confident that Paul is the best person to take on this duty with a talented team of Assistant Attorneys General, investigators, and support staff."
Mr. Ware is currently a partner and Chairman of the Litigation Department at Goodwin Procter, LLP. He joined Goodwin Procter in 1974 and is a member of the firm's Executive Committee and Management Committee. As a senior trial partner, his practice has included substantial criminal, civil fraud and intellectual property litigation. Mr. Ware actively represents clients in criminal investigations and trials. He has defended and tried a wide spectrum of criminal cases, including first degree murder trials.
In 2002-03, at the request of the Supreme Judicial Court, Mr. Ware served as Special Counsel to the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct for the investigation and trial of former Superior Court Judge Maria Lopez on charges of misconduct and ethical violations. The investigation resulted in Lopez's resignation from the bench in May 2003.
In 1992, Mr. Ware was asked by Iran Contra Special Prosecutor Lawrence E. Walsh to serve as lead trial counsel for the prosecution of the CIA chief of European Operations. In that capacity, Mr. Ware directed the trial preparation, witness interviews and coordination within the Office of Independent Counsel.
Mr. Ware has previously served as a Special Assistant Attorney General in Massachusetts to represent an agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has been a member of the U.S. Magistrate Merit Selection Panel for the First Circuit. Mr. Ware graduated from University of Notre Dame and received his law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
"The Attorney General has made it clear that she intends to pursue the investigation in this matter and bring it to a conclusion which is both fair and consistent with the public interest," Ware said. "That is an important mission, and I am pleased to have become a part of it."
The Attorney General's Office, under former Attorney General Tom Reilly, assumed responsibility for cost recovery efforts associated with the Central Artery Tunnel Project in February 2005. Immediately following the tunnel collapse in July 2006, the Attorney General's Office launched a criminal investigation into the death of Milena Del Valle.
"At this time we intend to complete a thorough criminal investigation into Ms. Del Valle’s tragic death to determine if any party should be held criminally responsible. This work began under my predecessor, Attorney General Reilly, and the investigation has remained very active throughout the transition process," Attorney General Coakley said. "Once we have concluded our criminal investigation, we will immediately pursue cost and damages recovery efforts."