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Preet BhararaIndian-American lawyer and US Attorney for the Southern District of New York
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Biography of Preet Bharara
Preetinder Singh "Preet" Bharara is an Indian-American lawyer and former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. He was named one of the "100 most influential people in the world" by Time magazine in 2012 and was previously honored as "Person of the Year" by India Abroad newspaper.
Early Life and Education
Preet Bharara was born in 1968 in Ferozepur, Punjab, India. His father is Sikh and his mother is Hindu. His passion for becoming a lawyer ignited in seventh grade when he read the play "Inherit the Wind." He grew up in Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA, and graduated from Ranney School in 1986. Bharara went on to earn a bachelor's degree with honors from Harvard College in 1990 and a law degree from Columbia Law School in 1993.
Career
Bharara served as Chief Counsel to New York Senator Chuck Schumer and played a leading role in the United States Senate Judiciary Committee during the federal prosecutor crisis, which resulted in the resignation of eight U.S. attorneys. He worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in Manhattan for five years, where he prosecuted criminal cases against the Gambino crime family, Colombo crime family, and Asian gangs in New York.
In May 2009, Bharara was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. His nomination was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and he was sworn in on August 13, 2009. During his tenure, Bharara brought charges against Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui for the attempted murder of U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan. She was sentenced to 86 years in prison in 2010. He also prosecuted four individuals involved in a conspiracy to bomb a synagogue in Riverdale.
In November 2011, Bharara's office convicted Russian arms trader Viktor Bout, dubbed the "Merchant of Death," for attempting to smuggle weapons to Colombian rebels for use against U.S. troops. He was sentenced to more than 33 years in prison by a Manhattan federal court.
Notable Achievements
Throughout his career, Bharara has gained international recognition for his work in prosecuting terrorists and white-collar criminals. His investigation into insider trading and other financial operations on Wall Street earned him a spot on the cover of Time magazine, which proclaimed, "This man is taking down Wall Street." He has also been involved in high-profile cases, such as the prosecution of Faisal Shazad, who attempted to carry out a terrorist attack in Times Square, and the controversial case of Devyani Khobragade, which strained relations between India and the United States.
Personal Life
Preet Bharara is a devoted fan of musician Bruce Springsteen. In October 2012, during a concert in Hartford, Connecticut, Springsteen shouted, "This one's for Preet Bharara!" before performing the song "Death to My Hometown." Bharara's brother, Vinit Bharara, is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Diapers.com, a subsidiary of Amazon.com.
Overall, Preet Bharara's career has been marked by his dedication to justice and the pursuit of truth. His relentless pursuit of criminals and his commitment to upholding the law have solidified his reputation as an influential figure in both the legal and political spheres.
