Two Eastern District of New York Assistant U.S. Attorneys Honored at Department of Justice Director’s Awards Ceremony

WASHINGTON - Assistant United States Attorneys Brendan G. King and Diane C. Leonardo of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) were recognized today by the Department of Justice's Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) at the Director's Awards Ceremony today in Washington, D.C.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the EDNY, stated: "Our Office is immensely proud of Brendan and Diane, whose judgment, exemplary legal skills, and extraordinary dedication to public service are representative of the finest traditions of the Department of Justice. Brendan's leadership and professionalism are exemplified by the complex cases he prosecutes and his management of EDNY's billion-dollar asset forfeiture practice. Brendan has built and maintained strong relationships with agency partners and the judiciary, and fostered a cohesive working environment, all of which has led to unprecedented results. As Chief of the Office's Long Island Civil Division, Diane has served as a mentor and extraordinary courtroom advocate renowned for her skill in defensive civil litigation and solid judgment. Diane is a paragon of exceptional dedication and invaluable as a role model and mentor to her colleagues."

For 36 years, as the Chief of the Criminal Division's Asset Forfeiture Section (AFS), Brendan has represented the government with skill, veracity and dedication. After serving as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of New Jersey and as a Senior Trial Attorney at the Internal Revenue Service, Brendan joined EDNY in 2005. While serving in the Asset Forfeiture, General Crimes and International Narcotics and Money Laundering Sections, he has been involved in some of the Office's most complex, groundbreaking cases. His leadership and professionalism are evident in both the cases he prosecutes, and in his stewardship as AFS Chief, where he oversees the operation of EDNY's complex and sophisticated billion-dollar asset forfeiture practice. Under Brendan's leadership, the AFS has had an extraordinary record of success during the past four years by obtaining forfeiture of more than $1.2 billion in ill-gotten gains and the restoration of more than $113 million in forfeited funds to victims of crime. Throughout his government tenure, Brendan has built and maintained strong relationships with his peers, agency partners, and the judiciary; mentored and supported attorneys, staff, and members of the community; and fostered a strong and cohesive working environment, all of which has led to unprecedented results.

Diane serves as Chief of the Office's Long Island Civil Division and received the award for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney. In the past year, Diane has expertly managed the Long Island Division's emergency habeas practice, which includes some of the most challenging cases in the Office. Diane has personally litigated over 47 of these cases, including seven lengthy evidentiary hearings and more than a dozen bond hearings. Additionally, Diane maintains a busy docket of her own and has successfully represented various government agencies at trial and in dispositive motion practice, leading to favorable judgments. For the past 20 years, Diane has managed the Long Island Division's internship program, and has participated in numerous panel discussions held in the federal courthouse and at law schools on Long Island.