Robert Morgenthau was the Manhattan district attorney known for his integrity and persistence in exposing government and business corruption.[^1] ### Role in BCCI Investigation Morgenthau became involved in the [[Bank of Credit and Commerce International|BCCI]] investigation after [[Jack Blum]] brought the case to his attention in March 1989.[^2] Blum described BCCI as the "biggest bank fraud in the history of the world."[^3] Morgenthau decided to pursue the case, stating that if [[New York]] was the banking center where money was laundered, then it was within his jurisdiction.[^4] His office, particularly through his chief of investigations [[Michael Cherkasky]] and top investigator [[John Moscow]], spearheaded a comprehensive investigation into BCCI's activities.[^5] Morgenthau's efforts were met with resistance from federal authorities, including the [[Justice Department]], who he accused of hindering his investigation.[^6] In July 1991, Morgenthau announced indictments against BCCI and its former top officers, [[Agha Hasan Abedi]] and [[Swaleh Naqvi]], describing the case as "the largest bank fraud in world financial history."[^7] He also indicted [[Clark Clifford]] and [[Robert Altman]] in July 1992 on charges of bribery and fraud related to their involvement with BCCI.[^8] Morgenthau's investigation also targeted [[Kamal Adham]], who eventually pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.[^9] ### Background and Reputation Morgenthau, at seventy years old during the BCCI investigation, was described as a lean figure with silver hair and a patrician manner.[^10] He was soft-spoken and considered one of the most important men in New York.[^11] His family had been part of the political establishment since 1886, with his great-grandfather immigrating from Bavaria and his father serving as [[Franklin D. Roosevelt|Franklin Roosevelt]]'s secretary of the Treasury.[^12] Morgenthau's reputation as a crusader was built during his time as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, a position he held after being appointed by [[John F. Kennedy|Kennedy]] in 1960.[^13] He was known for his independence and his willingness to pursue cases against powerful figures.[^14] ### Footnotes [^1]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 48. [^2]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 48. [^3]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 48. [^4]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 51. [^5]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 51. [^6]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 377. [^7]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 152. [^8]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 390. [^9]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 391. [^10]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 48. [^11]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 48. [^12]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 49. [^13]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 49. [^14]: Beaty, Jonathan and Gwynne, S. C. *The Outlaw Bank: A Wild Ride into the Secret Heart of BCCI*. New York: Random House, 1993, p. 49.