Home New York Press Releases 2010 Twenty-Four FBI New York Office Personnel and Task Force Members Recognized for Excellence from FLEF
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Twenty-Four FBI New York Office Personnel and Task Force Members Recognized for Excellence from FLEF

FBI New York November 17, 2010

On November 12, 2010, personnel and task force members from the FBI’s New York Office were honored at the 20th annual Federal Law Enforcement Foundation (FLEF) Investigator/Prosecutor of the Year Award ceremony. Many prominent members of the community addressed the group of attendees including General James F. Amos, 35th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.

The annual FLEF awards recognize excellence in service during the previous year. Recipients are recommended by the head of their agency and approved by the FLEF board of directors. This year’s FBI award recipients were nominated for their work on major cases as well as their exemplary leadership in carrying out their duties.

Photo Credit: FBI, New York
Photo Credit: FBI, New York

Investigator of the Year Awards were given to personnel for investigations including: an illegal Internet gambling, money laundering and fraud case; exposing corruption within the New York City District Council of Carpenters; the attempt to blow up JFK airport that led to the conviction of three defendants; the attempted Times Square bombing and arrest of Faisal Shahzad; commercial truck hijackings carrying high value merchandise that led to uncovering a larger criminal enterprise organized in Florida; and for the extensive and long term efforts conducting an investigation into a group of Russian spies, known as the “illegals” that resulted in arrests and convictions.

SAC Venizelos with FLEF Executive Board member Robert Rosen
SAC Venizelos with FLEF Executive Board member Robert Rosen
Photo Credit: FBI, New York

Former Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Administrative Division in New York George Venizelos received the James Monroe Fox Award for his efforts in serving the New York Office. SAC Venizelos worked diligently to improve upon relationships with other law enforcement and intelligence partners. SAC Venizelos served as acting assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York Office from March to early August of this year. During this time, SAC Venizelos oversaw a number of major cases, including the attempted Times Square bombing, arrests of Russian spies, and a major gang initiative in Newburgh, New York. In October, Mr. Venizelos was promoted to special agent in charge of the Philadelphia Office of the FBI.

FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge Janice K. Fedarcyk attended the FLEF awards and expressed her pride for the New York Office award recipients: “Every day, our professional support, task force officers, law enforcement partners, and special agents in the FBI New York Office strive for excellence in their work. To be recognized by the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation for carrying out our daily duties is a tremendous honor. I am extremely proud of those from the New York Office receiving awards today and extend my sincere congratulations to our law enforcement partners also accepting awards.”

FLEF was established in 1988 by a group of business leaders to support families of FBI agents killed in action. FLEF later expanded to provide support to all federal and local law enforcement agencies.