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TRENTON
– Josh Lichtblau was sworn in today
as director of the New Jersey Division of
Gaming Enforcement. Lichtblau, 43, of Princeton
Township, was nominated by Gov. Jon S. Corzine
in December and was confirmed by the New
Jersey Senate last week to head the casino
regulatory agency within the Department
of Law & Public Safety.
Lichtblau,
an Assistant Attorney General with expertise
in government contracting and procurement,
previously supervised attorneys within the
Division of Law.
“Josh
brings the right combination of legal acumen
and exemplary character to this important
leadership position,” said Attorney
General Milgram. “The Division of
Gaming Enforcement plays a critical role
in ensuring the strength and integrity of
the gaming industry in New Jersey.”
“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.”
The
Division of Gaming Enforcement enforces
the Casino Control Act and is responsible
for investigating, inspecting, and auditing
the state’s casino gaming licensees.
DGE investigators monitor day to day casino
operations and work closely with New Jersey
State Police and Division of Criminal Justice
attorneys.
The
Division’s technical services bureau
assures the integrity of electronic gaming
equipment, including all slot machine operations.
The technical bureau tests and evaluates
electronic equipment and analyzes and verifies
slot machine payouts to casino patrons.
Bureau engineers test all games before they
can be used in the casinos.
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
lives with his wife and two children in
Princeton Township, where he coaches in
the Princeton Little League.
Lichtblau
succeeded Yvonne Maher, who had been Acting
Division Director since April 2007. Maher
replaced former Director Thomas Auriemma,
who retired in March 2007.
A
photo of Director Lichtblau is available
at www.nj.gov/oag/images/lichtblau.jpg
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