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. He was a candidate for Ohio Attorney General in 2008.
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Crites he grew up in Lima, Ohio where he received appointment to the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 1970. He served in the United States Navy and Naval Reserve until 1999 retiring with the rank of Captain. In 1978, Crites received his law degree from Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law.
Crites is divorced.
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.
A Vietnam veteran, Crites has 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.
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 both President Reagan and President George H.W. 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.
Crites legal career has included time as First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney (Delaware County), Assistant Prosecuting Attorney (Allen County), City Prosecutor (Lima, Ohio) and City law director for several central Ohio communities.
Crites announced for his candidacy for attorney general on July 23, 2008, as a Republican. He received 38% of the vote.[1]