Strafford County Attorney Tom Velardi leaves for top job with AG, his peers offer praise
DOVER — Strafford County Attorney Tom Velardi said there are many things he will miss when he leaves to become the director of public protection at the New Hampshire attorney general's office. And he hopes he will continue to offer the same quality of representation to the state that he feels he brought to the county.
Velardi's last day is Thursday, Oct. 5, the same day the Strafford County's delegation of state representatives is expected to vote on his replacement. He has recommended Deputy County Attorney Emily Garod to take over until the next county election in 2024.
"I’m thrilled for Tom that he has this new opportunity, but I won’t pretend that his departure isn’t a huge loss to all of us that have loved working with him over the years," Garod said. "He has done so much for the people of Strafford County and we are all indebted to him."
Garod said Velardi, who worked in the county attorney's office for more than 20 years, is not just a fantastic leader, but an excellent trial attorney.
"When Tom is in trial, myself and the other attorneys in my office will stop what we are doing to go up and watch because being in front of a jury looks like it comes as naturally as breathing for him," she said. "It's inspiring to watch him as a prosecutor, and I can only hope someday to be half as good. The attorney general’s office and by extension the state of New Hampshire are lucky to have him."
What is Velardi's job with the New Hampshire attorney general?
On Oct. 6, the day after he leaves the county office, Velardi will assume his role as the director of public protection in Concord. He joked that he took the evening of the fifth off for "vacation."
"That role means a lot of different things," he said. "Basically, each bureau, like homicide, Medicare fraud, elder abuse, environmental law, and public integrity has a chief. I will oversee them; they will report to me, and I will report, as needed, to the attorney general. There is another director who has the same role in the civil bureaus."
What he'll miss most stepping down as Strafford County attorney
"As an elected official, there are two aspects I will miss," said Velardi of his role as Strafford County's top prosecutor. "I really enjoy trial work, representing victims of crime. I love the brave people who step forward to say — this is wrong, and I want to stand up for myself. Well, I wanted to help. There are so many stories of these survivors that I will take with me. They are pretty amazing, and they inspire me."
The other part of his job, which Velardi views as equally important, is working with offenders, those who want to make a positive change in their lives.
"I work in drug court with them, and in mental health cases," he said. "These are people who need us to invest in them, in their recovery, in their desire to do better. These are the people who will change their behaviors through their strength and their perseverance. We all have bad habits, and we all have the means to change how we behave. We need to provide the services to make sure they can succeed."
Velardi said he sees his role as serving the community. He said he can help people navigate their way through difficult situations. He loves Strafford County and intends to remain a resident here because he believes in the "goodness" of the community.
"I have seen such mercy and kindness shown here, often by those who are considered the victims," said Velardi. "It is amazing to watch the forgiveness they display. I have seen victims and the convicted person hug at the end of a trial. I have seen them say — I forgive you."
Velardi said he always tried to be available.
"People want someone to talk to," he said. "Maybe I can help or maybe I can point them in the right direction. I have always tried to be that person and I will miss that work. I will strive to take these experiences, my acquired expertise into the Attorney General role."
County officials praise Velardi and his work
Velardi is respected and he will be missed.
County administrator Ray Bower called Velardi a brilliant prosecutor.
"He is a dedicated public servant," said Bower. "He could never say no whenever anyone asked for assistance. He would always help."
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"Tom is a consummate gentleman and was a fantastic county attorney," said Strafford County Commission Chair George Maglaras. "He is first amongst his equals and Strafford County was blessed to have him at the helm in that office. He will be sorely missed by my colleagues and me particularly for his forthright counsel, friendship and professionalism. I supported his moving on and urged him to do so for his own good. I know the decision tormented him for months. That office is vital to law enforcement for our region and is no easy task. I wish him all the best in his new expanded responsibilities."
How long has Velardi served in county attorney's office?
Velardi was appointed Strafford County Attorney June 1, 2008, to fill the seat after it was vacated by Janice Rundles. He was hired as an attorney in the Strafford County office in June 1999, by then County Attorney Lincoln Soldati.
In July 2023, the state Executive Council — a five-member body that must approve state appointments and contracts — voted to approve Velardi's appointment to lead the attorney general's Public Protection Bureau on a 3-2 vote, with councilors Cinde Warmington, Theodore Gatsas and Janet Stevens voting in the affirmative and Councilors Joseph Kenney and David Wheeler voting against.
"I ran eight times for this job," said Velardi of his county attorney's role. "I had no opponent. I hope that means people supported the work I was doing, and I hope I did the best job I was capable of."
Velardi graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1993 with a degree in political science and has a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Strafford County Attorney Tom Velardi leaves for key role with NH AG
