Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein released the following statement concerning the death of Jervis Finney, who served as Maryland’s U.S. Attorney from 1975 to 1978:
Jervis Finney was an exemplary public servant, renowned for his commitment to legal ethics. Following George Beall, who passed away in January, Finney led the U.S. Attorney’s Office during the post-Watergate era, a period when the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office was nationally recognized and respected for its nonpartisan record in prosecuting political corruption. Finney supervised the 1977 prosecution of then-Maryland Governor Marvin Mandel for political corruption, and many other important cases.
Jervis Finney took great pride in his affiliation with the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office. Over the past decade, he regularly attended the office’s annual awards ceremony. Always self-deprecating and quick with a joke, Finney enjoyed reminiscing with former colleagues and sharing stories with young prosecutors.
The Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office will name its sixth-floor conference room in memory of Jervis Finney. A 1977 photograph of U.S. Attorney Finney with Maryland’s federal prosecutors will be displayed on the wall. The U.S. Attorney’s Office similarly honored Beall after his death in January.
During their tenure as Maryland U.S. Attorneys in challenging times, Jervis Finney and George Beall set the standard for political independence and professional excellence.