Page 30 - MarchApril26 Report

m e m o r i a l s
Kevin Tierney
1974 – 2025
Kevin Tierney passed away peace-
fully in his home on September 13, 2025
with many loved ones by his side at the
age of 51. Although few people were
aware, Kevin had been battling cancer for
several years and was actively receiving
various forms of treatment while still working.
After graduating from Gonzaga College High School in Wash-
ington, D.C., Kevin moved to the area to attend the University of
Dayton, earning a degree in criminal justice, and the University
of Cincinnati, where he earned a law degree.
Kevin was an accomplished attorney with a distinguished
career spanning criminal defense, federal prosecution, complex
financial investigations, as well as security detail with the U.S.
Secret Service. Although the last year of his career was finished
with the federal government as a Senior Attorney-Advisor for
the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,
Kevin spent many years working as a criminal defense attorney
for Frost Brown Todd and Rittgers Rittgers & Nakajima. His prac-
tice focused on the defense of individuals and corporations in
state and federal criminal cases, internal and government investi-
gations, and professional licensing matters, as well as representing
whistleblowers in False Claims Act actions to expose government
fraud.
Prior to entering private practice, Kevin served as an appointed
special assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Ohio
while employed as a special agent with the U.S. Secret Service
and the Department of Justice. In this dual role, Kevin focused
on the prosecution of financial crimes, narcotics offenses, and
firearms violations, bringing cases from investigation through
federal prosecution.
As a special agent with the U.S. Secret Service, Kevin inves-
tigated complex violations of federal criminal law, including
large-scale mortgage fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and
employee embezzlement schemes. Selected to serve on the
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Southern District of Ohio Mortgage Fraud Task Force, he led a
multi-million-dollar mortgage fraud investigation that resulted
in multiple federal convictions, as well as investigations involving
international movement of criminal proceeds.
In addition to investigative and prosecutorial accomplish-
ments, Kevin demonstrated exceptional leadership in national
security and interagency collaboration. He led a multi-agency
Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) Review Team comprising
federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the
FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Secret Service.
Kevin also provided high-level protective services and advance
security planning for the president and vice president of the
United States, presidential candidates, and other nationally
protected individuals.
Earlier in Kevin’s career, service as an assistant prosecuting
attorney with the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office provided
extensive trial experience, with responsibility for all aspects of
criminal case management, including witness interviews, motion
practice, trial preparation, and courtroom advocacy.
Along with work, Kevin dedicated many hours to volun-
teering. He was a member of the OSBA Grievance Committee,
which regulated the conduct of lawyers and judges. He served
as a board member of the Federal Bar Association of Cincin-
nati/Northern Kentucky and dedicated many hours to pro bono
work. Kevin also volunteered as a cross-country coach for the
last five years of his life, running with the kids even through his
treatments.
Through a career marked by integrity, leadership, and measur-
able impact, Kevin demonstrated an exceptional commitment
to justice, public service, and excellence in the legal profession.
Kevin made an impact on everyone who met him, and those who
knew him will miss his positivity, integrity, kindness, compassion,
strength of character, loyalty and generosity.