WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that Kenneth Blanco has been named director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
Blanco is expected to transition to FinCEN director from his current position as Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division at the Department of Justice in the next month, Treasury stated in a release.
“Ken Blanco is an important addition at Treasury, and will focus on combating money laundering and illicit threats by those who seek to abuse our financial system,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. “His extensive background in law enforcement will be a strong asset to our TFI team.”
“I worked with Ken at the Department of Justice and know that he will be a tremendous leader for FinCEN. He has worked closely with many in TFI for years and his long-standing relationships within Treasury and across the law enforcement community will be invaluable to our mission to combat illicit finance and safeguard the financial system,” said Treasury Under Secretary Sigal Mandelker. “Ken will work closely with Treasury component offices to maximize our authorities and effectiveness. I would also like to thank Jamal El-Hindi for his leadership as Acting Director during this interim period.”
“I am excited to take my 28 years of prosecutorial experience with me to FinCEN, and to join a fabulous team at Treasury. TFI is dedicated to protecting the American people and securing the integrity of our financial system from bad actors who commit acts of terror or other crimes against our nation,” said Blanco. “I look forward to working with others across law enforcement and the private sector in this important endeavor. I am grateful to the Department of Justice, and my dedicated colleagues there, for the wonderful career I have enjoyed over the last two decades. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve with them.”
Blanco joins Treasury after serving as the Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division at the United States Department of Justice. He was appointed to the position of Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division in April 2008. During his tenure with the Criminal Division, Mr. Blanco has overseen a number of its sections, including the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (formerly the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section), the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, the Organized Crime and Gang Section, and the Child Exploitation Section.