Richard Park and Julius Nam, Recipients Of US Attorney Director’s Award

/in /by

The Director’s Awards recognize employees of the United States Attorneys’ offices (USAOs) and the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA), as well as other individuals, who have supported the mission of these offices and who have distinguished themselves through extraordinary professional achievements and excellence. The recognition of 11 of our AUSAs in the areas of Civil, Criminal (AUSAs and SAUSA), Appeals, and Management is symbolic of the outstanding work and tireless dedication of these individuals as well as recognition of our Office’s work as a whole.

Superior Performance as an AUSA – Civil
AUSA Richard Park is recognized for his substantial contribution to the successful settlement between the Department of Justice and the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which ensures that limited English proficient (LEP) court users throughout the County of Los Angeles will have access to timely and accurate language assistance services. AUSA Park was involved in this five-year Justice Department investigation from the beginning, and devoted substantial time to the investigation and resolution of this case, while also handling a full caseload of civil defensive matters during this time period. AUSA Park’s dedication and commitment to this matter helped ensure an excellent result for the Department of Justice and the residents of Los Angeles County.

Superior Performance as an AUSA-Criminal
Judith A. Heinz, Deirdre Z. Elliot, and Julius J. Nam are recognized for their outstanding performance in the prosecution of two California men who conspired to join the Islamic State of Syria and the Levant (“ISIL”). These defendants plotted to fight on the front lines, recruited others to join them, and committed bank and financial aid fraud to finance their scheme. The conspirators used social media to communicate directly with prominent ISIL figures and one of the perpetrators of the May 3, 2015 attack in Garland, Texas. The FBI arrested the conspirators when one of the men sought to board a flight from Los Angeles to Turkey to join ISIL. After extensive litigation involving classified material and a two-week trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all charges. The court later sentenced defendants to 30 years in prison, the longest sentences as yet imposed in an ISIL traveler case.