Constitutional Law

Schumer Recommends Chief Counsel for Manhattan U.S. Attorney Position

Late last night, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) confirmed rumors that he has urged the nomination of Preet Bharara to the U.S. attorney post in the Southern District of New York.

Bharara, 40, has served as Schumer’s top aide in the Senate Judiciary Committee. He took a prominent role in investigating the alleged politicization of the Justice Department under President Bush. That investigation eventually culminated in Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’s resignation. 

Tradition dictates that President Obama defer to the recommendation of his party’s senior lawmaker in the state of the appointment, in this case Schumer. However, Bharara’s nomination is not assured. Both Bharara and administration officials denied comment on Wednesday.

If nominated and confirmed by the Senate, Bharara would serve in what is widely considered the most prestigious U.S. attorney position outside of Washington. The U.S. attorney in Manhattan has traditionally focused on securities fraud, corruption and terrorism. The office’s latest high profile investigation revolves around the multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme allegations against Bernie Madoff.

H/T: The BLT.

Full post as published by ACS Blog on February 12, 2009 (boomark / email).