Priorities

National Security

The Office investigates and prosecutes a full range of threats to national security, including domestic and international terrorism; sanctions evasion, export control violations, espionage, malign foreign influence, transnational repression, and other counterintelligence matters; and large-scale international narcotics and weapons trafficking.

Combatting Local and National Narcotics Trafficking and Associated Violence, Financing, and Poisonings

The Office is devoted to prosecuting narcotics-related offenses harming our communities locally, nationally, and internationally.  The Office’s Narcotics Unit works closely with its law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute narcotics traffickers fueling the opioid crisis through the distribution of fentanyl and its analogues; dealers who traffic in cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances; and those involved in the illegal diversion and distribution of prescription painkillers.  Prosecutors in the Office’s White Plains Division also play a critical role in this area.

Combatting Gun and Gang-Related Violence

The Office’s Violence and Organized Crime Unit as well as Prosecutors in the Office’s White Plains Division bring prosecutions focused on addressing gun and gang-related violence in communities within the Southern District of New York.  These prosecutions often make use of the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”).

Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Minors

The Office regularly bring prosecutions against individuals alleged to have engaged in human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of minors.  This critical work is handled within several Units within the Office’s Criminal Division and also by prosecutors in the Office’s White Plains Division. 

Holding Corrupt Public Officials Accountable

The Office works, in close partnership with the Federal Burau of Investigation and other federal, state, and city investigative agencies, to maintain and protect the integrity of all levels of government. The unit oversees the investigation and prosecution of corruption crimes committed by elected and appointed officials, government employees, and individuals and companies doing business with the city, state, and federal government, as well as campaign finance offenses.  Prosecutors assigned to the Office’s Public Corruption Unit as well as prosecutors in the Office’s White Plains Division prioritize investigations and prosecutions involving the bribery of public officials, campaign finance violations and fundraising fraud, corruption of union officials, and fraud on the government. 

Prosecuting Fraud

The Office prosecutes a wide variety of significant fraud cases involving both individual and corporate defendants, including frauds affecting the integrity of the financial markets.

Countering State-Sponsored and Other Cybercrime

The Office has prioritized investigating and prosecuting cybercrime cases, with an emphasis on combatting state-sponsored hacking campaigns, cryptocurrency schemes, and illegal and dangerous activity on darkweb markets.

Civil Rights

In November 2021, the U.S. Attorney announced the formation of a new Civil Rights unit within the Office’s Criminal Division to use the criminal laws to protect civil rights.

Civil Division

Civil Division AUSAs pursue investigations and litigate cases designed to remedy violations of federal law, vindicating the rights of victims, protecting the public fisc, and changing unlawful practices by private individuals and entities, as well as state and local governmental actors.  These cutting-edge matters span many different subject areas, including civil rights; fraud; environmental protection and health; and tax and bankruptcy.