He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Franklin & Marshall College in 1973 and a Juris Doctor from George Mason University School of Law in 1977.
[1] O'Grady was the presiding judge in extradition proceedings against Kim Dotcom relating to the Megaupload file storage service.
During April 2012 he stated: "I frankly don't know that we are ever going to have a trial in this matter," when he found that the company had never been formally served with criminal papers by the US.
[4] On May 21, 2022 O’Grady was replaced as a judge in both the criminal case against Megaupload due to conflict of interest, O'Grady had a financial stake in Disney.
[6] During sentencing, defense attorneys argued the government had no evidence showing that actual harm had arisen from the leaks, and the fact should be taken into account.