Assistant Attorney General Josh Lichtblau heads the Division of Gaming Enforcement within the Department of Law and Public Safety.

“The Division is responsible for protecting the public interest and keeping the casino industry in New Jersey free from the influences of organized crime,” said Attorney General Anne Milgram. “Josh brings the right combination of legal acumen and exemplary character to this important leadership position,” added Attorney General Milgram.

“I am deeply honored by the confidence that Governor Corzine and Attorney General Milgram have placed in me,” Director Lichtblau said. “The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has established a reputation as one of the top casino regulatory agencies in the world. I will work hard to continue that tradition and meet the challenges presented by this ever evolving industry.”

Lichtblau, is an expert on government contracting and procurement, having supervised attorneys in the Attorney General’s Office who represent state agencies and departments on government contracting, public bidding, procurement and litigation.

Lichtblau joined the Department of Law & Public Safety in 1993 as a Deputy Attorney General. He was named an Assistant Section Chief in the Treasury Section of the Division of Law in 2001 and promoted to Deputy Attorney General in Charge of State Contracting in 2002. He became an Assistant Attorney General in November 2003. As a supervisor in the Division of Law, Lichtblau coordinated contract related matters, including negotiations and settlements, and provided legal advice regarding draft statutes and regulations relating to procurement. He helped write contract law training materials that are used in seminars for all newly hired attorneys and department personnel who are involved in procurement.

Lichtblau graduated with a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1986 and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1990. He clerked for Superior Court Judge Sylvia Pressler, the Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division, from September 1990 to September 1991.

Lichtblau succeeds Yvonne Maher, who had been Acting Division Director since April 2007. Maher replaced former Director Thomas Auriemma, who retired in March 2007.