Statement Of U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman On The Death Of Robert Morgenthau

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Robert Morgenthau, the legendary U.S. Attorney and Manhattan District Attorney, passed away yesterday just 10 days shy of his 100th birthday.  Mr. Morgenthau’s contributions to law enforcement and to the Southern District of New York were extraordinary.  Among his many achievements during his tenure as U.S Attorney, Mr. Morgenthau created the Securities Fraud Unit and helped establish the framework for sophisticated, international investigations that still guides our career prosecutors.  Whether he was charging landmark public corruption or organized crime cases, Mr. Morgenthau worked tirelessly to instill public confidence in the integrity of the Office.

Mr. Morgenthau remained active and engaged until he passed.  Indeed, less than a year ago he was kind enough to join the Office in the repatriation of a Renoir painting stolen by the Nazis during WWII.  At that ceremony, which took place at the Robert Morgenthau wing of the Museum of Jewish Heritage, Mr. Morgenthau spoke movingly about the importance of bringing some measure of justice, even a half century later, to the victims of the Holocaust and their heirs.

Every day as I enter my office I pass a portrait of Mr. Morgenthau and I am inspired by his lifelong dedication to public service and the law.”

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