US indicts Adani: spotlight on US attorney Breon Peace

The US indictment of billionaire Gautam Adani in a $250 million bribery case has drawn attention to both the Adani Group and US Attorney Breon Peace. “My office is committed to eradicating corruption from international markets and protecting investors from those who seek to enrich their own pockets at the expense of the integrity of financial markets,” the statement announcing the indictment said. It also included a statement from Peace:

The indictment comes about a week after Adani congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on social media and announced plans to invest in U.S. energy infrastructure projects.

Mr. Peace was appointed by President Joe Biden as the 48th U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY), with strong support from Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, who also spoke on social media during Mr. Peace’s appointment. acknowledged his support. Previously, Peace successfully prosecuted pro-Trump social media influencer Douglas McKee for conspiring to interfere in the 2016 election.

Peace did not respond to email inquiries. “The Department’s media guidelines prohibit commenting on a criminal case after it has been announced or answering questions that go beyond what is in the public record,” a Justice Department spokesperson said.

Adani Group denied the charges in the indictment, calling them “baseless.” He also said he would consider legal measures regarding the issue.

Prosecution is only the first step after an investigation, followed by a number of other steps. U.S. authorities will also need to present evidence of wrongdoing to move forward with the case.

achievements of peace

Meanwhile, lawyers praised Peace’s professional accomplishments. Russell A. Stamets, a partner at the law firm Circle of Counsels, said Peace’s reputation and diverse background make him a formidable opponent. “As a young prosecutor, he tried financial fraud cases that were modest in terms of amounts but affected ordinary people. In private practice, he served as a partner in Wall Street’s elite firms, many of which wanted to quietly manage their affairs. We were dealing with complex issues,” Stamets said, adding that Peace has the knowledge and experience to handle future legal challenges.

Also read | Adani bribery case: US SEC summons Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani

Nilesh Tribhuvann, managing partner at White & Brief Advocates and Solicitors, praised Peace’s expertise in handling complex issues such as white-collar crime, public corruption and civil rights. “During his term, his office prioritized prosecuting high-profile corporate fraud cases and ensuring accountability in public office to protect the integrity of government. In the civil rights area, Peace has helped address systemic inequalities by focusing on protecting individuals from discrimination, hate crimes, and criminal offenses. ”

Peace leadership style

Mr. Tribhuvan also highlighted Peace’s collaborative leadership style and efforts to modernize prosecutorial practices. His reforms included strengthening efforts to fight corporate fraud, strengthening public anti-corruption efforts through a cross-agency task force, expanding civil rights programs, and promoting diversity and inclusion within the Prime Minister’s office. According to the website of Cleary Gottlieb, Peace’s former firm, he made history by becoming its first African-American partner. Cleary did not respond to Mint’s request for comment about her former partner.

“Peace is known for handling pressure easily. A Black American from Brooklyn has learned how culturally difficult it is to seamlessly manage a partnership at one of the world’s leading law firms. It is difficult to fully understand, but Peace has succeeded in doing so. There is no cultural dimension to this incident that would challenge him or his team,” Tribhuvan said.

complex case

He also emphasized that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York is known for handling complex cases ranging from celebrity sex cults to Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.

Sex cult cases received widespread attention in 2017. Nxivm came to light after it was revealed that it was a cult-like organization that forced women to have sex by branding them with the initials of its founder. In 2021, founder Keith Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in federal prison for sex trafficking and other crimes. Several executives, including Smallville actress Allison Mack, were also found guilty on various charges.

Also read | Adani indictment: FCPA case will take a long time to conclude

The case against Huawei began in February 2020, when the company was charged with stealing trade secrets and helping Iran track down protesters. Huawei has denied the allegations, saying there is no evidence of a conspiracy, and labeled the Justice Department’s charges a “misguided China initiative” aimed at prosecuting individuals and companies with ties to China. Trial is scheduled for January 5, 2026.

crime and civil rights

Mr. Peace was appointed to the Attorney General’s Advisory Council (AGAC) in October 2023, which advises the Attorney General on policies and procedures. He chairs AGAC’s White Collar Fraud Subcommittee, which focuses on combating crimes such as securities fraud and identity theft. He also serves on AGAC’s Civil Rights Subcommittee, which focuses on civil rights issues across the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Born in 1971 in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood, Peace began his law career at Cleary in 1996. After a year, he worked as a law clerk for Judge Sterling Johnson Jr. of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. He then moved on to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where he handled criminal cases and taught clinical law at New York University School of Law, mentoring future prosecutors.

Also read | Mint commentator: Adani bribery charges and US legal proceedings

Peace returned to Mr. Cleary in 2003, when he represented companies in sensitive internal investigations and complex litigation involving federal and international authorities. Among his notable accomplishments: serving as special chief of racial discrimination cases for the New York City Fire Department, and playing a key role in securing the exoneration of a wrongfully convicted man in 2016. Here are some accomplishments.

Mr. Peace, who has two children, is married to Jacqueline Jones Peace, a senior attorney at the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit organization that fights for racial justice.