A former federal prosecutor from New York who was called “one of the most consequential prosecutors in American history” by the New Yorker is returning to his home state of New Jersey to serve as a special prosecutor in a probe of the State Police.
Attorney General Matt Platkin has announced that Preet Bharara, a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, has been named to investigate an alleged slowdown in traffic enforcement by state troopers between July 2023 and March 2024. There are claims that the 81% reduction in proactive traffic enforcement was coordinated to avoid claims of racial bias in traffic stops.
“I am particularly concerned that this slowdown may have coincided with increased crashes and fatalities on our roadways,” Platkin said. “I have ordered a full investigation into how this slowdown was orchestrated, which will ensure both accountability for those involved while also protecting against such conduct occurring again in the future. That investigation is well underway.”
Bharara grew up in Eatontown and served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 2009 to 2017.
Platkin said he needed a special counsel due to the “regular and substantial operational involvement between my office and the State Police.” He said he would “retain final decision-making authority, but Bharara would have the full authority of the attorney general’s office to investigate the State Police.
“I am deeply honored by the confidence placed in me to conduct a fair and rigorous investigation on behalf of the people of New Jersey, who deserve a thorough accounting of the facts,” Bharara said.