TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Mikie Sherrill has appointed veteran federal prosecutor Bernard J. Cooney of Montclair to serve as New Jersey’s insurance fraud prosecutor, Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced.
Cooney, a former assistant U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, will lead the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, which investigates and prosecutes insurance and Medicaid fraud statewide.
Created in 1998, the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor coordinates criminal, civil and administrative enforcement actions involving insurance fraud and related financial crimes.
“Bernard Cooney’s career in public service makes him the ideal candidate to take over the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor,” said Governor Sherrill. “His deep experience in pursuing criminal and civil cases involving healthcare fraud, white collar crime, and financial fraud aligns extremely well with the strategic mission of the OIFP. He takes the helm of an agency that is already working hard to root out insurance abuse and fraud and keep costs low for the people of New Jersey.”
Attorney General Davenport praised Cooney’s background in public service and financial crime investigations.
“The people of New Jersey are fortunate to have an experienced public servant like Bernard Cooney in this important role,” said Attorney General Davenport. “Bernard Cooney brings a proven record of experience and accomplishment to his new position. He will build on the success the OIFP has built in rooting out and prosecuting anyone attempting to illegally use the insurance business to line their own pockets.”
Cooney served as an assistant U.S. attorney from 2013 to 2022 and again from 2023 to 2025. During that time, he led several specialized units, including the Health Care Fraud Unit, Government Fraud Unit and Opioid Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Unit.
His work included investigations and prosecutions involving health care fraud, false claims, money laundering, bank fraud, sanctions evasion, terrorism and national security matters.
From 2022 to 2023, Cooney worked for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, commonly known as FINRA, where he investigated and prosecuted securities industry violations.
Most recently, he served as a partner at the law firm Clark Guldin in Montclair, focusing on white-collar criminal defense, government investigations and commercial litigation.
“It is an honor to be nominated to this position and join the men and women who are working so hard to prevent fraud in our insurance systems,” said Cooney. “I look forward to joining the team and continuing this important work.”
Cooney earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and his law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York.
He has been serving as acting insurance fraud prosecutor since May 18, 2026, and must still be confirmed by the New Jersey Senate.
