Andrew Weissmann is a prominent American lawyer who has been involved in some of the most high-profile cases in the country. He served as a lead prosecutor in Robert S. Mueller’s Special Counsel’s Office, investigating the Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. He also led the prosecution of Enron executives, mafia bosses, and other fraudsters. But what do we know about his personal life? Is Andrew Weissmann married? Does he have a family? Here are some facts about the former Mueller prosecutor’s personal life.
Andrew Weissmann’s Early Life and Education
Andrew Weissmann was born on March 17, 1958, in New York City, New York. He is of Jewish descent. He graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor’s degree in law in 1980. He then received a Fulbright scholarship to study at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School in 1984. He began his legal career as a clerk for Judge Eugene Nickerson in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Andrew Weissmann’s Career and Achievements
Andrew Weissmann worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York from 1991 to 2002. He prosecuted several high-profile organized crime cases, including those involving members of the Genovese, Colombo, and Gambino crime families. He led the prosecution team in the Vincent Gigante case, in which the notorious mafia boss was convicted.
In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed Weissmann to be the deputy director and then director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Enron Task Force. He was responsible for investigating and prosecuting the executives of the energy company that collapsed in one of the biggest corporate scandals in U.S. history. He secured the convictions of Andrew Fastow, Kenneth Lay, and Jeffrey Skilling, among others. He also controversially argued that the auditing firm Arthur Andersen LLP had covered up for Enron, resulting in the destruction of the company.
In 2005, Weissmann left the government and joined the private sector. He worked as a partner at the law firm Jenner & Block in New York, where he specialized in white-collar crime and corporate compliance. He also taught at the New York University School of Law, Fordham Law School, and Brooklyn Law School.
In 2011, Weissmann returned to the government and became the General Counsel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the leadership of Robert S. Mueller. He advised the FBI on legal and policy matters, including national security, cybercrime, and civil rights.
In 2015, Weissmann became the chief of the Criminal Fraud Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. He oversaw the prosecution of various fraud cases, including those involving foreign corruption, health care fraud, securities fraud, and tax fraud.
In 2017, Weissmann was appointed to a management role on the 2017 special counsel team headed by Robert S. Mueller. He took a leave from his Department of Justice post to join the team that investigated the Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and possible links to the Trump campaign. He was widely regarded as one of the most aggressive and influential prosecutors on the team. He led the cases against Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, Michael Flynn, and others.
In 2019, the special counsel’s investigation concluded and Weissmann went back to the private sector. He joined the law firm Jones Day as a partner in New York. He also wrote a book titled Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation, which was published in 2020. The book is a memoir of his experience on the special counsel team and a critique of the Trump administration’s interference and obstruction of the investigation.
Andrew Weissmann’s Wife and Family
Andrew Weissmann is married to Debra Weissmann, a lawyer and a partner at the law firm Latham & Watkins in New York. She specializes in environmental law and litigation. She graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in history and from Columbia Law School with a Juris Doctor degree. She also clerked for Judge Eugene Nickerson, the same judge who mentored her husband.
Andrew and Debra Weissmann have two children, a son and a daughter. Their son, Ben Weissmann, is also a lawyer and a partner at the law firm WilmerHale in Washington, D.C. He specializes in white-collar defense and investigations. He graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in history and literature and from Yale Law School with a Juris Doctor degree. He also clerked for Judge Merrick Garland, the current U.S. Attorney General.
Their daughter, Rebecca Weissmann, is a journalist and a producer at CNN in New York. She graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in history and from Columbia University with a master’s degree in journalism. She has worked on various news programs and documentaries, covering topics such as politics, business, health, and culture.
Andrew Weissmann and his family live in New York City. They are active members of the Jewish community and support various charitable causes. According to The New York Times, they are avid travelers and enjoy visiting different countries and cultures.
Conclusion
Andrew Weissmann is a renowned lawyer who has played a key role in some of the most significant cases in U.S. history. He has been praised for his legal skills, integrity, and courage. He has also faced criticism and controversy for his aggressive and controversial tactics. He is married to Debra Weissmann, a lawyer and a partner at Latham & Watkins. They have two children, Ben and Rebecca, who are also successful professionals in their respective fields. Andrew Weissmann is a respected and influential figure in the legal and political spheres. He is also a devoted husband and father who values his family and his faith.