In The Mold Of Loretta Lynch, Schumer Recommends Longtime EDNY Prosecutor Robert L. Capers To Be The Next U.S. Attorney For The Eastern District Of New York - If Confirmed, Capers, From An NYPD Family, Would Hold Now-U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch's Former Post

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced he has recommended longtime Eastern District of New York prosecutor Robert L. Capers to be the next United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Capers, a Bronx native and twenty-year veteran prosecutor, is currently the Senior Litigation Counsel at the U.S. Attorney's office for the Eastern District of New York and formerly served as Chief, Narcotics Section/International Narcotic Strike Force. The Eastern District encompasses the counties of Kings, Nassau, Queens, Richmond and Suffolk. The seat was held by Loretta Lynch until her recent confirmation as U.S. Attorney General. Schumer spoke with Loretta Lynch, and she was delighted with his choice.

Capers, Bronx-born, Rockland-raised and NYU grad, comes from a family dedicated to law enforcement: his father was a veteran NYPD detective and his brother an NYPD cop.

"Robert Capers knows from his 22-years' experience as a prosecutor the value of locking up violent criminals and drug kingpins who tear at the fabric of our neighborhoods. Mr. Capers is also committed to continuing the Eastern District's proud tradition of prosecuting terrorism, public integrity and civil rights cases. He knows that all those--from the petty criminal to the public official, to the corporate executive--must be held to account if they run afoul of the law and the norms of civil society," Schumer said.

Schumer continued, "Capers is in the mold of Loretta Lynch, really smart, hardworking, nose to the grind stone; not flashy but gets the job done and gets it done superbly."

"I am also confident--because he has dedicated his life to this calling--that he understands the delicate balance that must be upheld between protecting the community from the threat of crime and protecting the civil rights of the people in the community. He learned this from his mom and his dad, an NYPD cop, and his brother, also an NYPD cop, and from his own considerable and deep life experience."

"Robert Capers has a first-rate legal mind, extensive experience, intellect, dedication and a wide range of experiences that make him an unparalleled choice in the Eastern District."

Capers has worked for the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York since 2003 in a variety of roles. Prior to his current position, Capers worked as Deputy Chief of the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section; Chief of the Narcotics Section/International Narcotics Strike Force; Acting Deputy Chief of the General Crimes Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney. In addition, Capers has worked for the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for New York City, and was an Assistant District Attorney at the New York County District Attorney's Office.

Schumer is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee which handles the confirmation of U.S. Attorneys. Schumer twice recommended Loretta Lynch to be U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and later lead the effort to see her Attorney General confirmation through.

Capers received his B.A. in 1992 from New York University and his J.D. in 1996 from Albany Law School.

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