Mike Crites

Mike Crites (born June 16, 1948) is an American member of the Republican Party and former United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio in the administrations of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He was a candidate for Ohio Attorney General in 2008.

Personal life
Crites was born in Bluffton, Ohio and raised in Lima, Ohio. Upon graduation from Lima Shawnee High School in 1966, he received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1970. He was commissioned an officer in the United States Navy and served in the United States Navy and Naval Reserve until October 1999 retiring with the rank of Captain. In 1978, Crites received his law degree from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law.

Crites is the father of three daughters.

Naval career
Crites served as the commanding officer of nine Naval Reserve units. He studied at the Naval War College and Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He also served as Deputy Commander for Mission Effectiveness, Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region 8 in Jacksonville, Florida..

A Vietnam veteran, Crites received the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign and service awards, including the Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

A member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Crites was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2000.

U.S. Attorney
Crites was nominated in 1986 by President Ronald Reagan and confirmed by a vote of the United States Senate to be the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. He served in that position from 1986 to 1993 in the administrations of Presidents Reagan and Bush.

As the United States Attorney, Crites and his staff of Assistant U.S. Attorneys were responsible for the prosecution of all federal criminal cases on behalf of the United States and representing the United States in all civil litigation in the U.S. District Courts in the Southern Judicial District of Ohio (48 of Ohio's 88 counties, including the metropolitan areas of Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton).

During his tenure as U.S. Attorney, Crites and his staff investigated, prosecuted and dismantled numerous local, national and international drug organizations; seized and obtained the forfeiture of more than $17 million in illegal drug money and assets; and collected more than $125 million owed to the United States. Additionally, he organized and led task forces to address health care fraud, insurance and financial fraud, bankruptcy fraud and environmental compliance.

Legal practice
Crites' legal career has included service as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Assistant United States Attorney, First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney (Delaware County), Assistant Prosecuting Attorney (Allen County), City Prosecutor (Lima, Ohio) and City law director for several central Ohio communities. He is in private practice as a partner with the law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP in Columbus, Ohio focusing on white collar defense, government investigations and regulatory enforcement.

2008 election for Ohio Attorney General
Crites announced his candidacy for Ohio Attorney General on July 23, 2008, as a Republican. He received 38% of the vote.

Education

 * J.D., Ohio Northern University
 * B.S., United States Naval Academy