United States
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced Sept. 12 that he will nominate Gurbir Singh Grewal, an assistant U.S. attorney from Glen Rock, N.J., as the next Bergen County prosecutor.
If approved by the New Jersey state Senate, Grewal would become the first Sikh American to serve as a county prosecutor in New Jersey, leaders of the Sikh community told NorthJersey.com.
Grewal’s nomination ends months of speculation over whom Christie would tap for the position.
A Democrat, John Molinelli, has held the post since being nominated by Gov. James E. McGreevey in 2002. He was reappointed by Gov. Jon Corzine and continued to serve as a holdover since his term expired in January.
Christie in a statement said Grewal “has the right credentials and background to be the chief law enforcement officer for Bergen County. He also brings diversity to a highly diverse county.”
The Sikh American prosecutor has been working in Newark, N.J., at the U.S. Attorney’s office as deputy chief of the economic crimes unit and computer hacking and IP crimes unit since 2010, Politicker NJ reported.
A year ago, Grewal helped prosecute an employee of a New Jersey defense contractor who was found guilty of exporting military-related technology to China.
He also recently prosecuted a former Morgan Stanley Smith Barney financial adviser who pleaded guilty in February 2012 to wire fraud on charges of money stolen from clients’ accounts.
Members of the Sikh gurdwara in Glen Rock, where Grewal and his family worship, told NorthJersey.com they are excited about Grewal’s nomination.
“It’s excellent news for the community, because I think he is one of what we call the new generation, born here, raised here and someone who went to school here and is a full-fledged Sikh,” said Karmjit Singh Sidhu, president of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Sikh gurdwara on Prospect Street.
He added that Grewal’s father was a co-founder of the temple and Grewal has volunteered to serve meals at its community kitchen.
Amrik Singh Sikand, past president of the gurdwara, described the Sikh American nominee as “very dedicated,” and “hardworking.”
“His passion is public safety and that's why he is prosecuting people that have done wrong things," Sikand told NorthJersey.com.
Grewal is a graduate of Georgetown University and received a law degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at The College of William & Mary. The Indian American is past president of the South Asian Bar Association of New York and is a member of the New Jersey Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association.
With Thanks : IndiaWest : LINK
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