Acting Prosecutor Named in Union County

A former federal prosecutor will replace outgoing Prosecutor Theodore Romankow as Union County's Acting Prosecutor effective June 17, Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced Thursday.

Grace Park, of Westfield, who spent several years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Newark, will take over for longtime Union County Prosecutor Romankow who announced his resignation earlier this month after serving in the role for more than 10 years.

"I am confident that Grace Park will do an outstanding job of leading the effort to bring criminals to justice and protect the residents of Union County, Chiesa said. "Having worked with her at the U.S. Attorney's Office, I know that she is an intelligent, energetic and capable lawyer, and will be extremely dedicated to the mission."

According to a release, Park, a graduate of the University of California at Berkely and the Harvard Law School, served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Newark from 2003 to 2010. During her tenure she prosecuted cases involving health care and government fraud, terrorism and violent crime.

Recently, Park has served as senior corporate counsel for pharmaceutical company Pfizer, Inc.

"I am honored to take on the responsibility of serving as Acting Prosecutor," Park said in a release. "I look forward to the job of combating crime, helping to make neighborhoods safer and working with our law enforcement partners at every level – as well as other stakeholders -- to serve the citizens of my home county."

Romankow was appointed as prosecutor in 2002 and reappointed in 2008. During his years as prosecutor, Romankow helped investigate and prosecute gang and drug cases, both topics of which be became a frequent lecturer. 

In 2006, Romankow helped lead the creation of a countywide mental health court in Union County designed to connect low-level offenders with available medical treatment and social services.

The New Jersey Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association awarded him the Prosecutor of the Year award in 2008.