Prosecutor Appointed to Massachusetts Parole Board

Governor Charlie Baker on Wednesday, Aug. 12, nominated veteran prosecutor Paul M. Treseler to the Massachusetts Parole Board, the agency within the Executive Office of Public Safety authorized to grant paroles and supervise parolees.

If confirmed, Treseler would be designated Chair by Governor Baker.

“Over the course of a prosecutorial career spanning nearly 20 years, Paul has taken the lead on a number of high profile cases and has distinguished himself through his commitment to the law and achieving justice for victims of crimes,” said Gov. Baker, in a press release.

“Paul Treseler’s depth in criminal investigations makes him an ideal candidate to lead an agency that is critical to our goal of enhancing the Commonwealth’s reentry programs and reducing our rate of recidivism,” said Public Safety Secretary Daniel Bennett, in a written statement. “He will bring a thorough and evenhanded approach to the critically important cases that come before the Board.”

The seven members of the Parole Board are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Members are appointed for five year terms or to fill the unexpired term of a prior member. Board members serve on a full time basis.

The Governor designates one member of the Board as the Chair, who acts as the executive and administrative head of the Board.

Treseler has served for more than 19 years as a prosecutor in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, supervising death investigations and murder trials before the Suffolk District and Superior Courts in coordination with state, local, and federal law enforcement authorities.

Among Treseler’s cases as a supervisor and investigator with the Suffolk DA’s Office, were the MBTA Green Line “Texting” crash, the fatal Boston Fire Department Ladder 26 tragedy, and the Commonwealth’s “drug lab” crisis. Within the Suffolk DA’s Office he served as chief of the Narcotics Case Integrity Unit and the Major Felony Bureau and has extensive experience in prosecuting gang cases.

Treseler is a graduate of the Boston Latin School and Ohio Wesleyan University, and earned his law degree at Boston College.

Treseler clerked for the Honorable David S. Nelson, of the United States District Court for Massachusetts.