He also expressed hope that SDNY prosecutors would continue their tradition of pursuing justice with rigor and impartiality, emphasizing the importance of “doing the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons.”
A Legacy of High-Profile Prosecutions
Williams’ tenure has been marked by several significant legal victories, including:
- The conviction and 25-year prison sentence of Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, for fraud.
- The guilty verdicts against former U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, hedge fund billionaire Bill Hwang, and China critic Miles Guo.
Deputy U.S. Attorney Kim lauded the office’s achievements, calling it a “historically productive stretch” under Williams’ leadership.
Clayton’s Nomination
If confirmed, Jay Clayton will bring extensive experience as a corporate financial attorney to the role. Known for advising major financial institutions, Clayton has over three decades of legal expertise in mergers, acquisitions, and capital markets. He previously served as SEC chair under Trump from 2017 to 2020 and returned to private practice at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in 2021.
