Washington, D.C. — The American Economic Liberties Project today announced that Leo Wise, an experienced former federal prosecutor who served as Chief of the Fraud and Public Corruption Unit at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, will join the organization as a visiting Senior Fellow focused on anti-corruption issues.

“I’m thrilled to join Economic Liberties at a moment when public trust in institutions and corporate accountability are under unprecedented strain,” said Leo Wise, former Justice Department prosecutor. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen the difference rigorous enforcement and principled advocacy can make. I look forward to working with this team to shine a light on corruption and ensure that economic power is exercised fairly and transparently.” 

Wise brings more than two decades of experience in public service and legal practice. Most recently, he served as a Trial Attorney in the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. For thirteen years, he was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Maryland, serving as Chief of the Fraud and Public Corruption Unit from 2020 to 2023. During his career, Wise has prosecuted high-profile cases including Hunter Biden, the Mayor of Baltimore, Big Tobacco, and Enron. He also served as Staff Director and Chief Counsel at the Office of Congressional Ethics, and as Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General in the DOJ’s Criminal Division.

In addition to his legal work, Wise is an adjunct professor at Wilmington University’s School of Law and formerly taught as an adjunct at the American University School of Public Affairs. He also served for eight years as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy Reserve Intelligence Program. He is the author of Who Speaks For You, an inside account of the prosecution of the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force. Wise and his prosecution of the Gun Trace Task Force was depicted in the HBO miniseries We Own This City.

“Leo has an extraordinary commitment to justice and a deep sense of responsibility to the public,” said Nidhi Hegde, Executive Director of the American Economic Liberties Project. “He approaches every challenge with rigor, thoughtfulness, and a clear moral compass. What sets Leo apart — beyond simply his legal expertise — is his courage to confront powerful interests and his dedication to making our systems fairer for everyone. We’re proud to have him join our team to advance our mission of holding concentrated economic power accountable.”

Learn more about Economic Liberties here.