Gov. Names Acting Middlesex DA As Leone Departs

Gov. Deval Patrick has tapped First Assistant Middlesex District Attorney Michael Pelgro to fill the top job in the DA's office on a temporary basis.

Pelgro has been a state and federal prosecutor for more than 20 years.

Middlesex District Attorney Gerald Leone announced last month that he would step down from the post to become a partner in the law firm of Nixon Peabody. Friday is Leone's last day on the job.

Patrick said Friday that Pelgro will serve as acting district attorney until the governor names someone to fill out the remainder of Leone's term.

The next election for Middlesex DA will be held in November 2014.