U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger | U.S. Department of Justice
Philip Sellinger, the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, has announced his resignation effective January 8, 2025. Reflecting on his tenure, Sellinger expressed gratitude to President Biden for appointing him and praised the office's dedicated staff.
During his time in office, Sellinger prioritized combating violent crime by targeting street gangs through Violent Crime Initiatives in several New Jersey cities. This approach contributed to a significant reduction in shootings and murders across the state.
Sellinger also established the first standalone Civil Rights Division at any U.S. Attorney’s Office to address hate crimes and protect civil rights. The division achieved convictions in several high-profile cases involving hate crimes against Jewish and Muslim communities.
In economic crimes, Sellinger's office led investigations into TD Bank's failures to prevent money laundering, resulting in a guilty plea and $1.8 billion in penalties. His team also prosecuted cases of securities fraud and government fraud.
The Cybercrime Unit gained international recognition for its role in disrupting LockBit, a notorious ransomware group responsible for extensive global damage.
Under Sellinger's leadership, the National Security Unit addressed threats from domestic and international actors, including prosecuting individuals supporting foreign terrorist organizations.
Efforts against health care fraud included prosecuting those defrauding health care plans and contributing to opioid abuse through illegal schemes.
Sellinger's administration saw substantial asset recovery efforts with over $599 million collected in criminal and civil debts from fiscal years 2022 to 2024.
Upon his departure, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Vikas Khanna will assume the role of Acting U.S. Attorney. Pending charges against individuals mentioned remain accusations until proven otherwise.
