Editing Lanny A. Breuer

{{Short description|American lawyer}}

{{BLP sources|date=May 2020}}

|image = Breuer_Official_Portrait.jpg

|office1 = Special Counsel to the President, [[White House Counsel|Office of Counsel to the President]]

|president1 = [[Bill Clinton]]

|term_start1 = February 1997

|term_end1 = April 1999

|office2 = Member, [[United States Holocaust Memorial Museum#Governance|United States Holocaust Memorial Council]]

|term_start2 = November 1999

|term_end2 = November 2004

|birth_place = {{nowrap|[[Queens]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.}}

|spouse = Nancy Robinson Breuer

| children = {{hlist|Samuel Breuer|Benjamin Breuer|}}

|education = [[Columbia University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Juris Doctor|JD]])

'''Lanny Arthur Breuer''' (born August 5, 1958) is an American criminal defense lawyer who currently serves as vice chair of [[Covington & Burling LLP]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lanny A. Breuer|url=https://www.cov.com/en/professionals/b/lanny-breuer|access-date=2020-11-24|website=www.cov.com|language=en}}</ref> From 2009 to 2013, he served as [[United States Assistant Attorney General|Assistant Attorney General]] for the [[United States Department of Justice Criminal Division|Criminal Division]] of the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]] under [[Barack Obama|President Barack Obama]]. From 1997 to 1999, he served as Special Counsel to [[Bill Clinton|President Bill Clinton]]. He is a fellow of the [[American CollegeofTrial Lawyers]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=LANNY A. BREUER CC'80, LAW'85|url=https://www.college.columbia.edu/alumni/johnjay20/lanny-breuer|access-date=February 15, 2021|website=Columbia College Alumni Association|date=December 9, 2019 }}</ref>

== Early life and education ==

Breuer grew up in [[Elmhurst, Queens]], where he attended [[Newtown High School (Queens)|Newtown High School]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer Speaks at the New York City Bar Association|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/assistant-attorney-general-lanny-breuer-speaks-new-york-city-bar-association|access-date=March 3, 2021|website=U.S. Department of Justice|date=September 13, 2012 }}</ref> Breuer's parents were both Holocaust refugees; his father from Austria and his mother from Germany. His mother's parents were both murdered in the Holocaust. Breuer's father, a journalist in Vienna, came to America after fleeing to England. In the United States, Breuer's father was the music editor of Aufbau, a German language newspaper in New York.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|title=Breuer Reflects on Prosecutions That Were, and Weren't|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/breuer-reflects-on-prosecutions-that-were-and-werent/|access-date=March 3, 2021|newspaper=[[New York Times]]|date=March 2013 }}</ref> Breuer graduated from [[Columbia College (New York)|Columbia College]] in 1980, and [[Columbia Law School]] in 1985.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LANNY A. BREUER CC'80, LAW'85|url=https://www.college.columbia.edu/alumni/johnjay20/lanny-breuer|access-date=November 24, 2020|website=Columbia College Alumni Association|date=December 9, 2019 }}</ref>

After graduating from [[Columbia Law School]], Breuer was an assistant district attorney in [[Manhattan]] from 1985 to 1989. Asked how his mother reacted to his decision to become a junior D.A. after an expensive Columbia education, he recalled:

<blockquote>My parents just never made any money at all. I called up my mother to break the news that her son was not going to a law firm:『Mom, you've just got to remember that [[Cyrus Vance Jr.|Cy Vance Jr.]] - who, of course, is now the D.A. — he's in the D.A.'s office. And Dan Rather Jr., he's in the D.A.'s office. And [[Andrew Cuomo]], the son of the governor, he's in the D.A.'s office.』There was a long pause. And my mother said: "Them? They should go to the D.A.'s office. You? You should go to a firm."<ref name="auto"/></blockquote> In fact, some 20 years later, his former boss, the legendary Manhattan D.A. [[Robert Morgenthau]], would still remember Breuer as "a poor Jewish kid from Queens."<ref name="Meier">{{cite book |last1=Meier |first1=Andrew |title=Morgantha: Power, Privilege and the Rise of an American Dynasty |date=2022 |publisher=Random House |location=New York |isbn=9781400068852 |pages=857 |edition=First}}</ref>

From 1989 until 1997, Breuer practiced law with the law firm of [[Covington & Burling|Covington & Burling LLP]] in Washington, D.C. In this period, he represented U.S. Marine Sergeant Justin Elzie, one of the first U.S. service members to challenge his dismissal from the military for revealing that he was gay.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Homosexual Marine Decides To Go Back to Active Duty|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/20/us/homosexual-marine-decides-to-go-back-to-active-duty.html|access-date=March 3, 2021|website=New York Times|date=October 20, 1993 }}</ref> He also received attention for defending Corey Moore in a first-degree murder trial.<ref>{{Cite news|title=For D.C. Prosecutors, It's Try and Try Again|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1999/02/23/for-dc-prosecutors-its-try-and-try-again/326065d7-ae9f-44e2-b81c-56d8d8bf7a2b/|access-date=March 3, 2021|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

In 1997, Breuer joined the [[White House Counsel|White House Counsel's Office]] as special counsel to [[Bill Clinton|President Bill Clinton]], working under counsel to the president [[Charles Ruff|Charles F.C. Ruff]]. As special counsel, Breuer defended the White House and President Clinton in the [[1996 United States campaign finance controversy|congressional and Justice Department investigations]] of the Clinton campaign's fundraising.

On January 22, 2009, President Obama selected Breuer to head the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice.<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/reutersComService_2_MOLT/idUKTRE50L72420090122 Obama names Varney as to antitrust role at Justice] Reuters. January 22, 2009.</ref> He was confirmed by the Senate on April 20, 2009, by a vote of 88–0.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000003098788 |title=CQ Politics &#124; Republicans May Filibuster OLC Nominee |access-date=2009-04-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524075630/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=news-000003098788 |archive-date=May 24, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> He immediately began recruiting elite lawyers from corporate firms, they later became known as the Breu Crew, in hopes of finding those responsible for culpable actions which eventually contributed to the financial crisis of 2008. The crackdown never took place.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/04/magazine/only-one-top-banker-jail-financial-crisis.html?_r=0 |title = Why Only One Top Banker Went to Jail for the Financial Crisis|newspaper = The New York Times|date = April 30, 2014|last1 = Eisinger|first1 = Jesse}}</ref>

During his tenure as assistant attorney general, Breuer substantially increased enforcement of the [[Foreign Corrupt Practices Act]] (FCPA), bringing in billions in penalties and leading prosecutions against numerous individuals.<ref>Leslie Wayne, [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/04/business/global/bribery-settlements-under-us-law-are-mostly-with-foreign-countries.html?pagewanted=all "Foreign Firms Most Affected By a U.S. Law Barring Bribes"], ''The New York Times'', September 3, 2012</ref>

His team has secured convictions against over three dozen individuals since 2009. Among the most noteworthy corporate resolutions in the FCPA area since Breuer became AAG are those involving BAE Systems ($400 million),<ref>Christopher Drew and Nicola Clark, [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/06/business/global/06bribe.html?_r=0 “BAE Settles Corruption Charges”], ''The New York Times'', February 5, 2010</ref> JGC Corporation ($218.8 million),<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/April/11-crm-431.html “JGC Corporation Resolves Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Investigation and Agrees to Pay a $218.8 Million Criminal Penalty”], "U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs", April 6, 2011</ref> Daimler AG ($185 million),<ref>Charlie Savage, [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/business/24daimler.html?dbk “Daimler is Said to Settle Bribing Charges”], ''The New York Times'', March 23, 2010</ref> and Johnson & Johnson ($70 million).<ref>Gardiner Harris, [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/09/business/09drug.html “Johnson & Johnson Settles Bribery Case for $70 Million in Fines”], ''The New York Times'', April 8, 2011</ref>

On December 11, 2012, Breuer announced that [[HSBC]] agreed to forfeit $1.25 billion – the largest forfeiture by a bank in U.S. history – and to pay $665 million in civil penalties for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and the Trading With the Enemy Act.<ref>Ben Protess and Jessica Silver-Greenberg, [https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/12/10/hsbc-said-to-near-1-9-billion-settlement-over-money-laundering/ “HSBC to Pay $1.92 Billion Settle Charges of Money Laundering”], ''New York Times'', December 10, 2012</ref> [[HSBC]] would not be criminally prosecuted for alleged terrorist financing. Commentator [[Glenn Greenwald]] noted the disparity between that decision and the extremely harsh penalties regularly doled out to powerless American Muslims accused of similar behavior.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/12/hsbc-prosecution-fine-money-laundering |title=HSBC, too big to jail, is the new poster child for US two-tiered justice system |first= Glenn|last=Greenwald |date=December 12, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=December 12, 2012 |location=London}}</ref> A ''[[New York Times]]'' editorial called the decision a "dark day for the rule of law."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/12/opinion/hsbc-too-big-to-indict.html |title=Too Big to Indict |date=December 11, 2012 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=December 12, 2012}}</ref>

On November 15, 2012, Breuer and Attorney General Holder jointly announced the largest criminal resolution in history in connection with the April 20, 2010 [[Deepwater Horizon explosion|Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion]].<ref name="deepwater">{{cite press release |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/November/12-ag-1369.html |title=BP Exploration and Production Inc. Agrees to Plead Guilty to Felony Manslaughter, Environmental Crimes and Obstruction of Congress Surrounding Deepwater Horizon Incident |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs |date=November 15, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2016}}</ref> As part of the resolution, BP agreed to plead guilty to 11 felony manslaughter charges, environmental crimes, and obstruction of Congress, and to pay $4 billion in criminal fines and penalties. In addition to resolving charges against the corporation, the two highest-ranking supervisors on board the Deepwater Horizon were charged with manslaughter, and a former BP executive was charged with obstruction of Congress and making false statements.

Breuer coordinated the largest mafia takedown in the U.S. Department of Justice's history, announcing with Attorney General Holder in January 2011 charges against more than 125 members of La Cosa Nostra.<ref>U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, [https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/January/11-ag-077.html “91 Leaders, Members and Associates of La Cosa Nostra Families in Four Districts Charged with Racketeering and Related Crimes, Including Murder and Extortion”], January 11, 2011</ref> The division has also prosecuted the most notorious national and international violent gangs operating in U.S. cities and along the southwest border, such as MS-13 in North Carolina, Maryland, and California,<ref>U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, [https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/May/09-crm-433.html “MS-13 Leader Sentenced to 60 Years in Federal Prison for Racketeering Conspiracy, Armed Robbery and Gun Violation”], May 4, 2009, [https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/April/10-crm-498.html “North Carolina MS-13 Gang Member Convicted of Racketeering Charges Related to Murder; First MS-13 Member Sentenced to Death”], April 28, 2010, and [https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/January/11-crm-025.html “Former Leader of MS-13 Gang in San Francisco Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Charges”], January 10, 2011</ref> and the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas.<ref>U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, [https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/February/11-crm-215.html “Eleven Alleged Aryan Brotherhood of Texas Members Charged for Roles in Assault”], February 18, 2011</ref>

The division also brought the largest U.S. prosecution of an international criminal network organized to sexually exploit children.<ref>U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, [https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/August/11-ag-1001.html “Attorney General and DHS Secretary Announce Largest U.S. Prosecution of International Criminal Network Organized to Sexually Exploit Children”], August 3, 2011</ref> Along with these efforts, Breuer and his team led the extradition of more than 300 defendants from Mexico since 2009, including over 110 defendants in 2012.<ref>E.g., U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, [https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/December/10-crm-1438.html “Fifteen Individuals Extradited from Mexico to the United States”], December 14, 2010</ref> He has also overseen the investigations of the murders of U.S. citizens and others in Mexico, including ICE Agent Jaime Zapata.

In December 2011, Senator [[Chuck Grassley]] called for Breuer's resignation due to his involvement with [[Operation Fast and Furious]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/grassley-calls-for-resignation-of-justice-dept-official-over-guns-operation/2011/12/07/gIQA3YtRdO_story.html |title=Grassley calls for resignation of Justice Dept. official over guns operation – ''The Washington Post'' |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=December 7, 2011 |publisher=[[Washington Post Company|WPC]] |location=[[Washington, DC|Washington DC]] |issn=0190-8286 |access-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref> In October 2011, Breuer stated that he regretted having not done more to raise concerns at the U.S. Justice Department.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203707504577010361806722038 |title=Justice Official Regrets Gun Sting - WSJ.com |first= Evan |last=Perez |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=November 1, 2011 |publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company|Dow Jones]] |location=[[New York, NY|New York]] |issn=0099-9660 |access-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref>

In September 2012, the Justice Department's Office of Inspector General released a comprehensive report examining Operation Fast and Furious and related matters.<ref>U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, [https://www.justice.gov/oig/reports/2012/s1209.pdf "A Review of ATF's Operation Fast and Furious and Related Matters"], September 2012</ref> The report exonerated Breuer with respect to the operation, concluding that he did not authorize any of the investigative activities in Operation Fast and Furious, including the wiretap applications, and was unaware in 2009 or 2010 that ATF agents in Operation Fast and Furious were failing to interdict firearms.<ref>Id. at 454–455</ref> Grassley stated that the report was wrong, citing evidence that Breuer was fully aware of the operation and had lied to Congress during his testimony.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/Article.cfm?customel_dataPageID_1502=42580 |title=Grassley Gives Floor Speech on Operation Fast and Furious and the Long-Awaited Inspector General's Report |date=September 21, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301203846/http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/Article.cfm?customel_dataPageID_1502=42580 |archive-date=March 1, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

| isbn = 978-0812993424

On January 23, 2013, the ''Washington Post'' reported that Breuer was expected to step down and leave the office after being one of the longest-serving heads of the Criminal Division.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/doj-criminal-division-chief-stepping-down/2013/01/23/e4331e32-64e0-11e2-b84d-21c7b65985ee_story.html|title=Lanny Breuer, Justice Department criminal division chief, is stepping down|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

The ''Washington Post'' article followed the broadcast of a ''Frontline'' program criticizing the paucity of prosecutions arising from Wall Street fraud, given the relative ease with which ''Frontline'' investigators located whistleblowers. Breuer explained his reasons in the broadcast, focusing on a perceived lack of evidence sufficient to overcome the evidentiary standard of beyond a reasonable doubt<ref>Id.,[http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/frontline-nails-dojs-lanny-breuer-who-announces-resignation.html/Frontline nails DOJ’s Lanny Breuer who announces resignation, January 24, 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20131108042914/http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/frontline-nails-dojs-lanny-breuer-who-announces-resignation.html/Frontline |date=November 8, 2013 }}</ref> and the economic effect of bringing a case against a systemically important institution.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/business-economy-financial-crisis/untouchables/lanny-breuer-financial-fraud-has-not-gone-unpunished/ |title = Edited Transcript of Frontline Interview with Lanny Breuer |website = [[PBS]] | date = Nov 30, 2012 | access-date= January 27, 2013 }}</ref>

On January 30, 2013, AAG Breuer's departure was confirmed by the Justice Department, as taking place on March 1, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/January/13-ag-128.html|title=Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer Announces Departure from Department of Justice - OPA - Department of Justice|work=justice.gov|date=January 30, 2013}}</ref>

Upon leaving the DOJ, Breuer rejoined [[Covington & Burling]] as its vice chair.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cov.com/en/news-and-insights/news/2013/03/doj-criminal-division-head-lanny-a--breuer-returns-to-covington-as-vice-chair|title=DOJ Criminal Division Head Lanny A. Breuer Returns to Covington As Vice Chair|website=www.cov.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2013/03/lanny-breuer-returns-to-covington-burling-in-new-leadership-role.html|title=Lanny Breuer Returns to Covington & Burling in New Leadership Role - The BLT: The Blog of Legal Times|work=typepad.com}}</ref> The ''New York Times'' speculated that he could earn as much as $4 million in private practice.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/03/28/once-more-through-the-revolving-door-for-justices-breuer/ | work=The New York Times | first=Ben | last=Protess | title=Once More Through the Revolving Door for Justice's Breuer | date=March 28, 2013}}</ref>

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[[Category:1958 births]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:20th-century American lawyers]]

[[Category:21st-century American lawyers]]

[[Category:Columbia College (New York) alumni]]

[[Category:Columbia Law School alumni]]

[[Category:United States Assistant Attorneys General for the Criminal Division]]

[[Category:New York County Assistant District Attorneys]]

[[Category:Members of the defense counsel for the impeachment trial of Bill Clinton]]