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Gurbir Grewal, Doctor of Law (J.D.),

Securities and Exchange Commission recruits New Jersey attorney general- Gurbir Grewal to lead Enforcement

New Jersey, June 30, 2021
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh

On Tuesday, the Securities and Exchange Commission named New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal as the next leader of the agency's enforcement division, putting in place a well-known public sector figure to police Wall Street misdeeds.  He served as New Jersey's top law enforcement official since 2018.


The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is a large independent agency of the United States federal government, created in the aftermath of the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The primary purpose of the SEC is to enforce the law against market

 

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NRI GREWAL Attorney General of New Jersey, Announces Arrests of 16 Men  accused of trying to lure teens for sex
Police officer, high school teacher and others tried to set up sexual encounters with teenage boys and girls

Grewal is the first Sikh to be selected to the position in the state’s history,

New Jersey, April 20, 2019
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh

Gurbir Singh Grewal, Attorney General of New Jersey announced arrests of 16 alleged child predators in “Operation Home Alone,” a multi-agency undercover operation targeting men who allegedly were using social media in an attempt to lure underage girls and boys for sexual activity.  The arrests were made from April 11-15.

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree charges carry a sentence of three of five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.  Fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, all 21 County Prosecutors’ Offices, and many other state, county and local law enforcement agencies

Attorney General Gurbir Singh Grewal said:

The 16 men we arrested allegedly used social media to stalk victims they believed were vulnerable children who could be sexually exploited. Fortunately, their victims were really undercover officers prepared to put them in handcuffs
  • Parents need to know that the profiles of underage girls and boys we posted on social media to catch these offenders could easily have been profiles of their own children, who might also be targeted by predators on chat apps and popular gaming sites. 
  • Our message to parents with Operation Home Alone is be on guard.  Our message to child predators is law enforcement is working overtime to find you and arrest you
  • Attorney General Grewal commended all of the individuals and agencies who conducted Operation Home Alone. He thanked the members of the DCJ Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau who led and coordinated Operation Home Alone for the Division of Criminal Justice, including Bureau Chief Julia Glass, Deputy Bureau Chief Jillian Carpenter, Deputy Attorneys General Lilianne Daniel, Alyssa Bloom and Supriya Prasad, and Executive Assistant Francine Venceller.
  • Attorney General Grewal thanked all of the members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office who worked on Operation Home Alone, under the leadership of Acting Prosecutor Calo, Senior Assistant Prosecutor Brian Sinclair, Lieutenant Jeff Angermeyer, Detective Sergeant Dave Agar, and Detective Sergeant Diane Armbruster.
  • He further commended all of the members of the New Jersey Regional ICAC Task Force who worked on Operation Home Alone, under the leadership of ICAC Commander Lt. John Pizzuro of the New Jersey State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC Unit).  He also thanked the members of the New Jersey State Police ICAC Unit and the New Jersey State Police Polygraph Unit.

The following 16 men were arrested in Operation Home Alone.  They allegedly believed they were communicating with a minor as described in parentheses.  The defendants are charged as indicated. The cases will be prosecuted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO) or Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) as indicated.

  • Peter Tuchol Jr., 28, of Waldwick, N.J. (Girl, 15) Tuchol has been suspended from his position as a police officer with the Ridgewood Police Department.  Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nddegree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree), Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (anabolic steroids) (3rd degree), Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug (4th degree), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (hypodermic needles) (4th degree). BCPO is prosecuting. 
  • Kevin Roth, 26, Nanuet, N.Y. (Boy, 14) Roth is a teacher at the High School of Computers and Technology in Bronx, N.Y.  Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree).  BCPO is prosecuting. 
  • Dariush Ghamarnezhad, 37, of Pomona, N.Y. (Girl, 14) Ghamarnezhad is a dental hygienist. Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree).  DCJ is prosecuting. 
  • Joel Guichardo, 38, of Passaic, N.J. (Girl, 14) Guichardo is a barbershop owner. Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nddegree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree).  BCPO is prosecuting. 
  • Larry Noel Jr., 43, of Stanhope, N.J. (Boy, 14) Noel is a warehouse worker. Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nddegree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree).  DCJ is prosecuting. 
  • Shaheen Lariff, 49, of New City, N.Y. (Boy, 15) Lariff is a bank branch office manager.  Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree).  DCJ is prosecuting. 
  • Rajan Lama, 33, Woodside, N.Y. (Girl, 14) Lama is a driver for a rideshare company.  Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Criminal Sexual Contact (2nd & 4th degree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree).  BCPO is prosecuting. 
  • Luis Gonzalez Palacio, 36, of Weehawkin, N.J. (Boy, 14) Gonzalez Palacio is a finance lead for a major internet service provider.  Palacio allegedly had more than 13,000 suspected files of child pornography on his phone when he was arrested.  Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree), Possession of Child Pornography (3rd degree).  DCJ is prosecuting. 
  • Roger Arroyo, 37, of Philadelphia, Pa. (Girl, 14) Arroyo is a traveling minister.  Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree), Attempted Criminal Sexual Contact (4th degree).  BCPO is prosecuting. 
  • Yosef Kriger, 31, of New City, N.Y. (Girl, 14) Kriger is a pharmaceuticals delivery driver.  Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree).  BCPO is prosecuting. 
  • Michael Mancini, 36, of Hawthorne, N.J. (Girl, 14) Mancini is a supermarket employee and DJ.  Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree).  DCJ is prosecuting. 
  • Teodoro Alvarez Ortega, 28, of Suffern, N.Y. (Boy, 14) Avarez Ortega is a restaurant server.  Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree), Attempted Showing Obscene Material to a Minor (3rd degree).  DCJ is prosecuting. 
  • Jacob Smith, 26, of New Rochelle, N.Y. (Girl, 14) Smith is a takeout food delivery driver.  Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree), Attempted Showing Obscene Material to a Minor (3rd degree).  DCJ is prosecuting. 
  • Jose Martinez, 47, of Fairview, N.J. (Boy, 14) Martinez is a takeout food delivery driver.  Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree).  BCPO is prosecuting. 
  • Jason Keizer, 33, of Garfield, N.J. (Girl, 14) Keizer is unemployed.  Charges: Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree), Possession of Child Pornography (3rd degree).  Keizer is currently awaiting sentencing on a prior child pornography charge filed by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.  BCPO is prosecuting. 
  • Hareshkum Tailor, 55, Garfield, N.J. (Girl, 14) Tailor is a driver for a rideshare company.  Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree).  DCJ is prosecuting.

Attorney General Grewal thanked the following federal, state, county and municipal agencies that assisted in Operation Home Alone, including numerous members of the ICAC Task Force:

  • Upper Saddle River Police Department
  • Ramsey Police Department
  • Saddle River Police Department
  • Bergen County Regional SWAT Team
  • Bergen County Sheriff’s Office K-9 and Patrol

ICAC Task Force Members:

  • U.S. Homeland Security Investigations
  • FBI Innocent Images Squad
  • New Jersey State Parole Board
  • Bayonne Police Department
  • Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Camden County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Essex County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Hazlet Township Police Department
  • Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Keyport Police Department
  • Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Morris County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Ocean Township Police Department
  • Passaic County Sheriff’s Department
  • Red Bank Police Department
  • Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Union County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Voorhees Township Police Department
  • Warren County Prosecutor’s Office

Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice said:

  • Operation Home Alone is a great example of our collaborative efforts to guard children from the ever-present danger of online predators
  • We will continue to partner with the State Police, the County Prosecutors, the ICAC Task Force, HSI, the FBI, and law enforcement at all levels to apprehend these sex offenders who exploit the anonymity of social media to prey on those who are most vulnerable.

The arrests in Operation Home Alone were made over a five-day period from April 11 through April 15:

  • Seven defendants travelled to the undercover house from locations in New York State, and one traveled from Philadelphia. 
  • The defendants are variously charged with second-degree luring, second-degree attempted sexual assault on a minor, and third-degree attempted debauching the morals of a child. 
  • Two men face third-degree charges of attempted showing obscene material to a minor for allegedly sending photographs of their genitals to undercover detectives.
  • Two men are charged with having child pornography on their electronic devices, including one who allegedly had more than 13,000 files of suspected child pornography on his phone and a second who was already facing sentencing on a prior child pornography charge filed by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

The defendant who is a police officer, Peter Tuchol Jr., was placed under arrest on April 15 at the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office—Paramus

  • Thirteen other defendants were arrested at the undercover residence in Bergen County. 
  • One defendant was arrested at a shopping mall, and the remaining defendant was arrested at his own residence. 
  • Those who went to the undercover residence allegedly expected to find their victims home alone.  Instead, they were arrested upon arrival, sometimes by teams that included the very officer who portrayed the child they targeted for sex.
  • The defendants were lodged in the Bergen County Jail until detention hearings were held during the past week. 
  • One defendant, Michael Mancini, was ordered detained in jail pending trial. The other defendants were released subject to stringent pre-trial monitoring conditions, including at a minimum reporting regularly to Pre-Trial Services staff and prohibitions from using the internet except for work or having any unsupervised contact with children under 18.

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NJ Governor-elect Phil Murphy nominated Grewal as attorney general of New Jersey

Grewal public prosecutor could become NJ’s first Sikh NRI Attorney General,  if Grewal is confirmed by the state Senate, which almost certain to be confirmed by the Senate

Attorney general leads 7,200 employees including State Police and consumer enforcement

Bergen County, New Jersey, Dec. 12, 2017
NRIpress.com/ NRIpress.club-Rhan Mehta/A. Gary Singh Grewal

On Tuesday,  Governor-elect Phil Murphy announced Gurbir S. Grewal, Bergen County Prosecutor, as his nominee to serve as state attorney general, the Democrat’s first high-level nomination as he works to fill out an administration set to take office on Jan. 16.

Grewal would be the first Sikh to be selected to the position in the state’s history, as well as the first Sikh state attorney general in U.S. history.

In New Jersey State, Attorney general leads 7,200 employees including State Police, civil rights enforcement, consumer affairs, civil litigation, Department of Law and Public Safety. Attorney general is respected and considered the most powerful job as top lawyer and top cop.

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In historic first, Sikh nominated to be attorney general of New Jersey

By Arul Louis

New York, Dec 13, 2017: In a historic first, a distinguished Sikh public prosecutor "who has experienced hate and intolerance first-hand" has been nominated to be the next attorney general of the US state of New Jersey.

If Gurbir S. Grewal's nomination by Democrat Governor-elect Phil Murphy is approved by the State Senate early next year, he will be the first Sikh to assume the top state law enforcement position in the United States and the second Indian-American, after Kamala Harris, who held the position in California before her election to the US Senate.

Announcing the nomination in the state capital, Trenton, on Tuesday, Murphy said: "In light of all that is being thrown at us by the president, we need an attorney general unafraid to join our fellow states in using the law to protect all New Jersey residents."

Grewal, 44, is the prosecutor of Bergen County, an important district across the river from New York city. He was appointed to by the current Republican Governor Chris Christie and that is likely to mute any opposition the senate.

Symbolic of the public acceptance of minorities despite scattered incidents of bigotry, two Sikhs were elected mayors last month, Ravi Bhalla in Hoboken, New Jersey, and Preet Didbal in Yuba City, California.

Vin Gopal, who became the first Indian-American to be elected to the New Jersey State Senate last month, said that Grewal is someone "not only eminently qualified, but who will bring a perspective to the office that is diverse and long-overdue."

After Murphy made the announcement, Grewal said: "I wanted to give back to a country that has given us and other immigrant families like us so much."

Turning to his three daughters, Kyrpa, Mayher and Mahek, who were with him, he said: "As someone who has experienced hate and intolerance first-hand throughout my life, I wanted to work to ensure we all live in and that the three of you grow up in a fair and just society."

Grewal added: "I wanted to perhaps also show people that while I and others like me may look different or worship differently, that we, too, are committed to this country."

Hailing Grewal's nomination, Rajwant Singh, the co-founder of the National Sikh Campaign, said: "These are exactly the kind of role models our youngsters need to feel proud of being a Sikh and an American."

"While America could be seen having a very polarized situation politically and yet there are some very shining moments to show that people of all backgrounds can aspire for top positions," he added.

South Asian Bar Association President Rishi Bagga, said: "The decision to appoint a visible minority as the chief law enforcement officer for New Jersey reflects the diversity of the state and of the US, and is especially important in a time where minorities and immigrants have often felt targeted by law enforcement."

Attorney General is a very powerful position New Jersey heading the Department of Law and Public Safety, which includes the state police.

Grewal has earlier served as an assistant federal prosecutor in New York and in New Jersey, where he was also the chief of the Economic Crimes Unit.

In the administration of former President Barack Obama, Indian Americans have held senior law positions. Neal Kumar Katyal was an Acting Solicitor General

Sri Srinivasan, now a federal appeals court judge in Washington, did a stint as the Principal Deputy Solicitor General

Vanita Gupta was the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and headed the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division

US President Donald Trump has appointed Uttam Dhillon to be his special assistant and associate counsel....IANS

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NRI Gurbir Grewal appointed top law prosecutor of US county by Governor Christie

New Jersey, Jan 05, 2016
NRIpress.com/Pritpal Singh/ Gary Singh Grewal

"U. S. attorney NRI Sikh Gurbir Singh Grewal will be the new acting County prosecutor from Jan 4, 2016 and will take over for John L. Molinelli, who ended his 14-year services  as the county’s top law enforcement official," said state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Teaneck.

At the time of his nomination, the Governor  Christie said, “With his experience as a federal prosecutor in New Jersey and New York, Mr. Grewal has the right credentials and background to be the chief law enforcement officer for Bergen County.’’

Gurbir Grewal, 42, was sworn in as acting Bergen county prosecutor on Monday. Grewal also becomes the  first Sikh county prosecutor in the state and the first of South Asian descent. 

Grewal  became  popular  in October  when he represented the government in a case in which the president of a New Jersey-based textile company was sentenced to three years in prison for defrauding investors of $4 million.
“He’s an extraordinary talent,” The state Sen. Kevin O’Toole, R-Cedar Grove said. “He’s very thorough and very fair. He doesn’t have a political bone in his body.” 

 The representative of Sikh  Gurdwara (temple) in Glen Rock  where he  worship said, "The whole NRI community  is very happy with the news that the our second NRI generation  young  person raised and  educated here  is  serving such a top position."

 

The prosecutor:

The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system and  are backed by the power of the state, they are usually subject to special professional responsibility rules in addition to those binding all lawyers .
 The prosecution is the legal party responsible for presenting the case in a criminal trial against an individual accused of breaking the law.
Prosecutors are typically lawyers who possess a law degree, and are recognized as legal professionals by the court in which they intend to represent society.

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NRI Gurbir Grewal named county prosecutor in New Jersey

New Jersey, Oct 5, 2013: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has formally nominated an Indian American Sikh lawyer Gurbir Grewal to be the next Bergen county prosecutor. If confirmed by the State Senate, Grewal would become the first Indian American prosecutor in New Jersey, as well as the first person of Sikh origin to occupy the office.

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Governor Christie Announces Intention To Nominate Gurbir Grewal As Bergen County Prosecutor

September 12, 2013

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Trenton, NJ – Today, Governor Chris Christie announced his intention to nominate Gurbir Grewal to replace John Molinelli as Bergen County Prosecutor.

Since 2010, Grewal has worked at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark as the Deputy Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit and Computer Hacking and IP Crimes Unit. Previously, he worked at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York as an Assistant U.S. Attorney at the Business and Securities Fraud Unit.

“With his experience as a federal prosecutor in New Jersey and New York, Mr. Grewal has the right credentials and background to be the chief law enforcement officer for Bergen County,” said Governor Christie. “He also brings diversity to a highly diverse county, which will serve him and the community well. I want to thank John Molinelli for his many years of service to the people of Bergen County, and we look forward to a swift confirmation for his successor.”

Grewal earned his undergraduate degree Georgetown University, and holds a Juris Doctorate from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law from the College of William & Mary. He is a past president of the South Asian Bar Association of New York, and a member of the New Jersey Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association. Grewal is proficient in Punjabi and conversational in Hindi.

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BIO:

Governor Philip D. Murphy announced his intention to nominate Gurbir S. Grewal to serve as New Jersey’s 61st Attorney General on December 12, 2017. He was confirmed by the New Jersey Senate and assumed the office on January 16, 2018.

Since assuming office, Attorney General Grewal has focused his attention on protecting the interests of New Jersey residents by expanding affirmative litigation, strengthening police-community relations, reducing violent crime and fighting the opioid epidemic.
Before becoming New Jersey Attorney General, Grewal served as Bergen County Prosecutor, the chief law enforcement officer of the most populous county in New Jersey and home to nearly 1 million residents living in 70 municipalities. As Bergen County Prosecutor, Grewal supervised a staff of 265 personnel and had supervisory authority over approximately 2,700 sworn law enforcement officers across 74 law enforcement agencies. Among other accomplishments during his tenure, he developed and implemented several creative approaches designed to tackle the heroin and opioid crisis, including “Operation Helping Hand,” a program that offers low-level drug offenders treatment options upon arrest. He also established a Community Affairs Unit, which is dedicated to assisting local departments improve police/community relations.

From 2010 to 2016, Grewal worked as an Assistant United States Attorney (“AUSA”) in the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, where he served as Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit from 2014 to 2016 and oversaw the investigation and prosecution of all major white collar and cybercrimes in the District of New Jersey. He was the lead prosecutor in United States v. Drinkman, et al., the largest known data breach prosecution in which the conspirators participated in a worldwide scheme that targeted major corporate networks and stole more than 160 million credit card numbers, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. He was also the lead prosecutor in United States v. Weinstein, et al., a $200 million Ponzi scheme in which the lead defendant was sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment.

Before becoming a federal prosecutor in New Jersey, Grewal also served as an AUSA in the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York from 2004 to 2007, where he was ultimately assigned to the Business and Securities Fraud Unit. As an AUSA in the Eastern District of New York, he investigated and prosecuted a wide range of narcotics offenses, white collar crimes, and terrorism cases. His significant matters included the successful prosecution of 12 men charged with providing material support to the Tamil Tigers terrorist organization.

In addition to his work as a federal prosecutor, Grewal has also worked in private practice, including at Howrey LLP (from 1999 to 2004 in Washington, D.C., and from 2008 to 2010 in New York, NY). While at Howrey LLP, he counseled clients on a range of matters including securities, trademark, antitrust and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act issues; represented individuals and companies in government investigations and criminal proceedings; conducted internal investigations for public corporations; and conducted civil trials.

Attorney General Grewal graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in 1995. He obtained his law degree from the College of William & Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law in 1999

 

Gurbir Grewal

He’s purely a prosecutorial lawyer and not a polician

Gurbir Grewal, Doctor of Law (J.D.)

  • Served as Chief, Economic Crimes Unit:  February 2014 – Present  at United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey. He has prosecuted major white-collar crimes for the U.S. Attorney’s Office

  • Served as  Deputy Chief, Economic Crimes Unit and Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Section: July 2013 – February 2014, at United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey.
  • Served  as chief of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark , was nominated by Governor Christie in 2013.
  • In 2010, Gurbir Singh Grewal   joined  the U.S. Attorney’s Office
  • He  got B.S.F.S.  in 199 and Doctor of Law (J.D.) in 1999 from  The College of William and Mary - Marshall Wythe Law School.
  • Gurbir Singh Grewal speaks Punjabi.and Hindi,  He is married and a father of three children.

    Bergen County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of  New Jersey.  As of 2014, Bergen County's Census-estimated population was 933,572,  an increase of 3.1% from the 2010 United States Census, when its population was enumerated at 905,116.

He is a past president of the South Asian Bar Association of New York, and a member of the New Jersey Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association.

NRI Population: 

  • In New Jersey, Indian population is 292,256 as of 2010 Census.
  •   In Bergen County, Indian Americans approximated 28,500 individuals in 2012, an increase from the 24,973 counted in the 2010 Census, and represent the second largest Asian ethnic group in Bergen County.