Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Seven Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), a Public Affairs Officer, a Victim Witness Specialist, and a former AUSA from the Eastern District of New York, were among those recognized by the Director of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) as recipients of the 39th Annual Director’s Awards.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, stated: “I am filled with pride and admiration for the honorees whose outstanding work has furthered the mission of our Office and the Department of Justice through aggressive, fair, and compassionate enforcement of the law, and dedication to crime prevention and reentry initiatives.”
EOUSA Director Stephanie Hinds stated: “I extend my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to all the award recipients. This recognition is a testament to your hard work, tireless dedication, and unwavering commitment for advancing the Department of Justice’s mission.”
Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney – Civil Division
AUSAs David Cooper and Dara Olds are recognized for their exceptional work defending the government’s interest in Campos, et al. v. Kijikazi. The case involved the Social Security Administration’s response to the global pandemic and the continuation of benefits for those in the Supplemental Security Income program.
Superior Performance by a Litigative Team – U.S. v. UBS Securities LLC et al.
AUSAs Michael Castiglione, Richard Hayes, Edward Newman, Bonni Perlin and former AUSA Melanie Speight, together with AUSAs Austin Hall and Andres Sandoval from the Northern District of Georgia and Special Agents Joseph Della Penna and Ines Cabral with the Federal Housing Finance Agency—Office of Inspector General, are recognized for reaching a $1.435 billion settlement to resolve claims that UBS made misrepresentations to investors in the sale of residential mortgage-backed securities. The settlement redressed UBS’s fraudulent conduct and serves to deter similar conduct in the future.
Superior Performance in Prevention and Reentry Activities
In support of the Office’s commitment to rehabilitation, community reintegration and reducing recidivism, the Reentry Team of AUSA Nomi Berenson, Public Affairs Officer Danielle Blustein Hass and Victim Witness Specialist Gladian Rivera guided the 2023 launch of the Eastern District’s Reentry Initiative. The groundbreaking initiative includes establishing the RAISE court, which is short for Reentry Assistance and Initiatives Supporting Everyone. Presided over by the Honorable LaShann DeArcy Hall, this court helps to provide resources to formerly incarcerated federal inmates identified as being at the highest risk of violence and recidivating. The team also conducts quarterly forums at Brooklyn House, the local federal Residential Reentry Center, in which returning citizens share their post-prison reentry experiences and service providers advise of available reentry services. In addition, the team has hosted reentry simulations for the Office and outside organizations to improve community understanding of the challenges encountered by individuals returning to society after incarceration.
EOUSA provides oversight, general executive assistance, and direction to the 94 United States Attorney’s offices around the country. For more information on EOUSA and its mission, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny.