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SENATE CONFIRMS SUAREZ TO BE EPA ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR

Release Date: 08/02/2002
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2002

SENATE CONFIRMS SUAREZ TO BE EPA ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR

Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / hester.luke@epa.gov


The U.S. Senate confirmed John Peter Suarez to be EPA Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance on Aug. 1. He previously served in New Jersey as a federal prosecutor, Special Assistant to the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice and Director of the state Division of Gaming Enforcement.
“EPA is fortunate to have J.P. Suarez as part of its leadership. J.P. will be a strong addition to our team, serving in a critical position,” said Administrator Christie Whitman. “Throughout his professional career he has demonstrated a determination to be vigorous in enforcing the law firmly and fairly. I am convinced that he will serve the nation well in enforcing the laws that ensure that all of us, especially our children, can enjoy cleaner air, purer water, and better protected land.”

During his tenure as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, from 1992 to 1998, he was the recipient of the Director’s Award for his successful prosecution of an Atlantic City gang and the Professional Lawyer of the Year award from the N.J. State Bar Association. His assignments in the U.S. Attorney’s office included the Fraud and Public Protection Division and Criminal Division, where he was on the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.

In the state Division of Criminal Justice, where he served from January 1998 to January 1999, Suarez assisted the director in the management and supervision of the division and was an Assistant Counsel to the Governor of New Jersey, where he handled all criminal matters for the Governor and the Counsel’s office.

Suarez became the Acting Director of the state Division of Gaming Enforcement in January 1999 and Director in March 1999. He was elected to chair the International Association of Gaming Regulators and served from October 2000 to January 2002.

A native of Flushing, N.Y., Suarez grew up in Old Bridge, N.J. He holds a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University.

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