William Waldo Cameron Forum on Public Affairs - 3/16/2006
Louis J. Freeh
Judge Freeh served as FBI Director from 1993 to 2001. In 1991, President George H. W. Bush appointed him as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, a position he held until he took the post of FBI Director. In 1983, he joined the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York as an Assistant United States Attorney. Subsequently he held positions there as Chief of the Organized Crime Unit, Associate United States Attorney and Deputy United States Attorney. From 1975 to 1981 he was a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, serving in New York City and Washington, DC.
During this time, Judge Freeh was the lead prosecutor in the "Pizza Connection" case, the largest and most complex narcotics investigation ever undertaken by the Federal Government. The case involved an extensive drug-trafficking operation in the United States by Sicilian organized crime members who imported tons of drugs into the United States and laundered $100s of millions overseas. Following the investigation, Judge Freeh served as the Federal Government's principal courtroom attorney in the 17-month trial and won the conviction of 16 of 17 codefendants. In May 1990, he was appointed a Special Prosecutor by the Attorney General to oversee the investigation into the mail-bomb murders of Federal Judge Robert Vance of Birmingham, Alabama, and civil rights leader Robert Robinson of Savanna, Georgia. Both were killed by mail bombs. This case became known as the VANPAC case. After an extensive investigation, the suspect was apprehended and convicted. Judge Freeh prosecuted the case before a jury in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Following his public service career, Judge Freeh joined MBNA America Bank, N.A., as Senior Vice Chairman for Law and Government Affairs and General Council. He is the author of many books including his most recent, My FBI: Bringing Down the Mafia, Investigating Bill Clinton, and Fighting the War on Terror.
Judge Freeh has been recognized on several occasions for his exemplary accomplishments, which include investigations and prosecutions relating to racketeering, drugs, organized crime, fraud, and terrorism. In 1987 and 1991, he received the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service, the second highest annual honor given by the Department of Justice. Other commendations include the John Marshall Award for Preparation of Litigation, awarded annually by the Attorney General, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Award.
Judge Freeh and his wife Marilyn have six sons.