TRENTON – Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced today the appointment of former federal prosecutor Grace H. Park, of Westfield, as Acting Prosecutor in Union County effective June 17.

Park will replace longtime Union County Prosecutor Theodore Romankow, who announced his resignation earlier this month after serving as Prosecutor for more than 10 years.

“I am confident that Grace Park will do an outstanding job of leading the effort to bring criminals to justice and protect the residents of Union County,” said Attorney General Chiesa.  “Having worked with her at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, I know that she is an intelligent, energetic and capable lawyer, and will be extremely dedicated to the mission.”

Park is a graduate of the University of California at Berkely, and the Harvard Law School. She was employed by the New York law firm of Cravath, Swaine and Moore as an associate from 2000 to 2003, and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark from 2003 to 2010. During her time with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she prosecuted cases involving health care and government fraud, terrorism and violent crime. Most recently, she served as Senior Corporate Counsel with the pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer, Inc.

“I am honored to take on the responsibility of serving as Acting Prosecutor,” said Park. “I look forward to the job of combating crime, helping to make neighborhoods safer and working with our law enforcement partners at every level – as well as other stakeholders -- to serve the citizens of my home county.”

Outgoing Prosecutor Romankow was appointed in July 2002 and reappointed in January 2008.  During his 10-plus years as Prosecutor, he established an excellent track record of investigating and prosecuting gang and drug cases, including many mid-to-high-level drug dealers.

A frequent lecturer on the topic of drug interdiction, gang violence and human trafficking, Romankow recently testified in the Senate before the Law and Public Safety and Veteran’s Affairs Committee on proposed amendments to the New Jersey Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act. The New Jersey Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association awarded him the Prosecutor of the Year award in 2008. In 2006, Romankow helped lead the creation of a countywide “mental health court” in Union County designed to connect low-level offenders with necessary medical treatment and social services.

 “I commend and thank Prosecutor Romankow for his leadership, his innovation, and his dedication to the crime-fighting mission,” said Attorney General Chiesa. “The people of Union County have been well-served throughout his more than a decade as Union County Prosecutor.”

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