Dana James Boente (/ˈbɛnˌteɪ/, BEN-tay; born February 7, 1954) is an American lawyer and longtime federal prosecutor. He briefly held the role of Acting Attorney General of the United States from January 30 to February 9, 2017. From September 2013 until January 2018 he served as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, a post in which he led federal criminal and civil litigation on behalf of the government.

Overview and responsibilities

Boente is generally described as a career prosecutor whose responsibilities included supervising federal investigations, prosecuting a range of crimes, and managing an office that handles both routine and high‑profile matters. As U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia he oversaw a district known for an expedited docket and for handling national security, cybercrime, public corruption and major white‑collar cases. The U.S. Attorney position combines courtroom work, case strategy and administrative leadership within the Department of Justice.

2017 Acting Attorney General

In late January 2017 Boente was designated to serve as Acting Attorney General during a transitional period at the Justice Department. His appointment came after the removal of his immediate predecessor and lasted until the confirmation and swearing‑in of the incoming Attorney General on February 9, 2017. During this brief tenure he was charged with maintaining continuity of operations at the department while the Senate considered the President's nominee.

The Eastern District of Virginia has a reputation for trying significant criminal matters quickly; Boente's office prosecuted cases spanning espionage and national security matters, cyber intrusions, large‑scale fraud and public corruption. Under his management the office continued collaborations with federal law enforcement partners and prioritized cases that posed substantial risks to public safety or national security. His professional reputation emphasizes managerial steadiness and courtroom experience.

Legacy and context

Boente's brief spell as Acting Attorney General is often noted as part of the unusually turbulent early months of the 2017 administration; his longer service as U.S. Attorney contributed to the continuity of federal prosecutions in a prominent district. After stepping down from the U.S. Attorney post in January 2018 he left a record as a pragmatic prosecutor who led an office responsible for complex, high‑stakes litigation.

  • Born: February 7, 1954
  • Acting U.S. Attorney General: January 30 – February 9, 2017
  • U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia: September 2013 – January 2018