USAO EDNY: Role, Jurisdiction, and Essential Contact Information
Have you ever read news about a high-profile federal fraud case out of Brooklyn, a terrorism prosecution in Queens, or a civil rights settlement for Long Island residents? Chances are, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York (USAO EDNY) was leading that work. As one of the busiest and most influential federal prosecutor’s offices in the United States, the USAO EDNY oversees federal legal enforcement for more than 8 million New Yorkers across five counties. But for most people, navigating what the office does, where it has authority, and how to contact it can be confusing if you’re not familiar with the federal court system. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the USAO EDNY, from its core responsibilities to its full jurisdiction and official contact details.
Table of Contents#
- What Is the USAO EDNY, Exactly?
- Core Roles and Responsibilities of the USAO EDNY
- Full Jurisdiction of the USAO EDNY
- Official USAO EDNY Contact Information
- Frequently Asked Questions About the USAO EDNY
- References
What Is the USAO EDNY, Exactly?#
The USAO EDNY is the federal prosecutor’s office for the Eastern District of New York, part of the larger U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). It is one of 94 U.S. Attorney’s Offices operating across all U.S. states and territories. The office is led by a U.S. Attorney, who is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a four-year term. The EDNY U.S. Attorney oversees a team of more than 300 federal prosecutors, victim support staff, civil litigators, and administrative personnel to enforce federal law across its service area.
Core Roles and Responsibilities of the USAO EDNY#
The office has four primary, non-overlapping responsibilities:
1. Criminal Prosecution#
The EDNY prosecutes individuals and organizations accused of violating federal criminal law within its jurisdiction. Prosecutors work closely with federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI, DEA, IRS, ATF, and Department of Homeland Security to build cases, secure indictments, and represent the U.S. government in court through trial, sentencing, and appeals.
2. Civil Litigation#
The office represents the U.S. federal government in all civil cases within the EDNY, both when the government is filing a lawsuit (e.g., suing a company for defrauding Medicare) and when it is named as a defendant (e.g., civil claims against federal agencies or employees). Common civil case types include civil rights enforcement, bankruptcy disputes, tax litigation, and immigration proceedings.
3. Victim and Witness Support#
The EDNY runs a dedicated Victim-Witness Assistance Program to support people impacted by federal crimes. Services include explaining court processes, providing updates on case status, connecting victims to compensation and mental health support, and ensuring witnesses understand their rights and obligations during legal proceedings.
4. Community Outreach#
The office partners with local governments, nonprofits, and community groups to deliver public education programs on topics including cyber fraud prevention, youth justice, anti-hate crime resources, and small business protection from federal scams.
Full Jurisdiction of the USAO EDNY#
Jurisdiction for the EDNY is split into two categories: geographic and case-type.
Geographic Jurisdiction#
The EDNY covers 5 New York counties, plus adjacent federal waters:
- Kings County (Brooklyn)
- Queens County
- Richmond County (Staten Island)
- Nassau County (Long Island)
- Suffolk County (Long Island)
- All Atlantic Ocean coastal waters adjacent to the above counties
Note: The EDNY is separate from the Southern District of New York (SDNY), which covers Manhattan, the Bronx, and several upstate New York counties. Many people confuse the two, as both handle high-profile federal cases, but their geographic authority is entirely distinct.
Case Type Jurisdiction#
The EDNY only handles violations of federal law (not state or local offenses, which are managed by county district attorneys). Common case types prosecuted or litigated by the EDNY include:
- White collar crime: securities fraud, bank fraud, healthcare fraud, money laundering, ransomware and cybercrime
- National security offenses: international and domestic terrorism, espionage, election interference, export control violations
- Violent crime: gang violence, gun trafficking, federal hate crimes, carjacking, robberies of federal institutions
- Public corruption: bribery of public officials, kickback schemes, abuse of public office by federal/state/local officials
- Civil rights violations: police misconduct, housing/employment discrimination, disability access violations
- Narcotics and organized crime: transnational drug trafficking rings, prescription drug diversion, organized crime racketeering
- Environmental crime: illegal hazardous waste dumping, violations of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts
Official USAO EDNY Contact Information#
All contact details listed below are sourced directly from the official DOJ website for the EDNY:
| Office Location | Address | Main Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters (Brooklyn) | 271 Cadman Plaza East, Brooklyn, NY 11201 | (718) 254-7000 |
| Long Island (Central Islip) | 100 Federal Plaza, Central Islip, NY 11722 | (631) 712-6000 |
Specialized Department Contacts:#
- Victim-Witness Assistance Unit: (718) 254-6330 | email: [email protected]
- General public inquiries: (718) 254-6200
- Federal crime tip line: (718) 254-6400
- Official website: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny Important note: If you receive a subpoena or are notified you are a target/subject of an EDNY investigation, consult a federal criminal defense attorney immediately before responding to any requests from the office.
Frequently Asked Questions About the USAO EDNY#
Q: How do I report a federal crime to the EDNY?#
A: You can submit anonymous or named tips via the tip line listed above, through the online tip portal on the EDNY website, or by reporting the crime directly to the relevant federal law enforcement agency (e.g., FBI for cybercrime, DEA for drug trafficking). Agencies will refer cases to the EDNY if prosecution is appropriate.
Q: Can I access case records from the EDNY?#
A: Most public federal case records are available via the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system. For non-public records, you can submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request through the DOJ’s national FOIA portal.
Q: What is the difference between the EDNY and a local county district attorney’s office?#
A: Local district attorneys only prosecute violations of New York state law. The EDNY only prosecutes violations of U.S. federal law, which apply nationwide.
References#
- U.S. Department of Justice. U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York Official Website. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny
- U.S. Courts, Eastern District of New York. District Jurisdiction and Boundaries. Retrieved from https://www.nyed.uscourts.gov/about/district
- U.S. Department of Justice. Victim-Witness Assistance Program National Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao/justice-victims-witness-assistance-program
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