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Monmouth County Attorney Honored by FBI Director

FBI Newark December 08, 2009
  • Special Agent Michael Whitaker (973) 792-3020

NEWARK, NJ—Jacob S. “Josh” Elkes of Freehold, New Jersey, will be honored by the FBI at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft on December 17 at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Elkes is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Elkes is the 2009 New Jersey recipient of the Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA), presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI by Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun. This event is open to the media.

The DCLA is a special award created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America. Recipients are nominated by the Special Agents in Charge of their local FBI divisions. Last year’s New Jersey recipient was Alan J. Robinson of Brookside, New Jersey, the Director of Protection and Security Services for Atlantic Health, in Morris Township.

Mr. Elkes is the president of Direct Title & Closing Agency, Freehold, and New Jersey, a full service closing and title service for real estate purchasers, and a traditional title search and title insurance service for purchaser’s attorneys. He is also president of Washington Homes, a residential and commercial development firm located in Freehold, New Jersey.

Mr. Elkes received his Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and his law degree from Rutgers School of Law. He is a member of the New York and New Jersey Bars and a licensed Title Insurance Agent. He has been an attorney for over 35 years and began his career on the staff of the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey.

For the past 10 years, Mr. Elkes has served as an advisor to the Newark FBI on mortgage fraud matters, serving as an expert resource for investigators. Mr. Elkes has hosted events such as the Women’s Council of Realtors and had presentations by the Newark Division’s mortgage fraud supervisor and mortgage fraud task force coordinator, to better educate realtors as to mortgage fraud and establish stronger lines of communication between the real estate industry and the FBI. Mr. Elkes is a member of the Board of Directors of the Real Estate Settlement Providers Council (RESPRO) in Washington, DC where he works closely with representatives of all the major banks and mortgage leaders as well as with Congressional leaders and regulatory officials on behalf of real estate agents. He is also nationally recognized specialist in joint venture partnerships between real estate agencies and title companies.

Mr. Elkes is Vice Chairman of the Newark Division’s FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association. Mr. Elkes has been instrumental in making the Newark FBI Citizens Academy into one of the most prolific organizations under the FBI community relations umbrella and he has been a leading figure in assisting and advancing cooperation with ethnic and minority groups, by serving as the Alumni association representative at liaison and recruitment events focusing on improving relations with the Muslim communities.

“There is no doubt that Mr. Elkes has made significant contributions to the mission of the FBI. In particular, he has served as a liaison between the FBI and the real estate community, helping us to battle mortgage fraud and to educate both real estate professionals and the community at large, as well as his work through our FBI Citizens Academy. In true American spirit, Mr. Elkes has distinguished himself as a citizen who does not settle for the status quo and is always seeking to improve the world around him. It is for that reason the FBI bestows this honor upon him.”

Brookdale Community College, The County College of Monmouth, is located at 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, New Jersey. Media inquiries regarding the college or attendance at this event should be directed to Dr. Stephen Nacco, (732) 224-2344. Media inquiries regarding the award should be directed to Special Agent Bryan Travers at newark.media@ic.fbi.gov.