Sikh-American appointed top prosecutor in US County

A Sikh-American attorney has been appointed as the top prosecutor in the most populous county in New Jersey, becoming the first South Asian to occupy the post in the state.

Gurbir Grewal, 42, was sworn in as acting Bergen County prosecutor on January 4, succeeding John Molinelli whose 14-year long tenure has ended.

A report in news website NorthJersey.Com said Grewal, a former federal prosecutor, has fought major white-collar crimes for the US Attorney's Office and most recently served as chief of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

The report quoted Grewal as saying that he hopes to work to build on the reputation of his office and enhance it.

He told the gathering at his swearing-in that he "cares deeply" about the county and is "deeply committed to public service."

"I want to spend my time here just seeing how I can make this an even better place," he said.

Grewal described his appointment as an "honour and privilege" and said the office of the Bergen County prosecutor is in "many real ways sets the standard for other prosecutor's offices throughout the state."

Grewal was also sworn in as an assistant attorney general in Trenton by acting state Attorney General John Hoffman.

He said he intends to meet other law enforcement personnel over the next several weeks to know their challenges and resource issues.

"I hope to prove to you over the next several years, and maybe more, that I'm a quick learner, I'm a hard worker, and I will always be straightforward," the report quoted him as saying.

Grewal was nominated for the post by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in 2013, but the Senate never scheduled a hearing on the appointment.

After Molinelli was notified he would be replaced, Christie said a change was "long overdue".