Jonathan Scharf

Jonathan Scharf has extensive work experience in various roles related to law enforcement and legal counsel. Jonathan currently serves as the Deputy Bureau Chief & Cryptocurrency Investigations Coordinator at the Queens District Attorney's Office, where they oversee complex financial crimes, cyber crimes, cryptocurrency investigations, money laundering, and major narcotics trafficking. Jonathan is also responsible for implementing new technology and resources, including the creation of a cryptocurrency investigations unit. Jonathan has been a speaker at local and national trainings and conferences on financial crimes and complex investigations.

Prior to their current role, Jonathan worked as a Trial Attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division from 2015 to 2020. In this position, they provided legal counsel to the International Organized Crime Intelligence and Operations Center, specializing in financial investigations, money laundering, and asset forfeiture. Jonathan coordinated and prosecuted federal money laundering and asset forfeiture cases related to transnational criminal organizations.

Jonathan also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney at the United States Attorney's Office in 2016, where they handled asset forfeiture, post-conviction motion practice, and appellate advocacy. Jonathan obtained the first successful international order of forfeiture with the Government of Romania during their time there.

Before their federal positions, Jonathan worked as a Senior Assistant District Attorney at the Office of the District Attorney of Queens County (NY) from 2005 to 2015. In this role, they investigated and prosecuted financial crimes under the New York State Penal Law and worked on national security-related cases through the Counter-Terrorism Unit, achieving the first successful indictment and conviction under the New York State Anti-Terrorism Statutes.

Jonathan's earlier experiences include working as a Regional Intelligence, Crime Mapping Project Coordinator at the Philadelphia Police Department from 2001 to 2004, as well as a Grant Program Analyst at the United States Department of Justice- Office of Community Oriented Policing Services from 1998 to 2000.

Jonathan Scharf has a strong education background with a focus on law and government administration. Jonathan obtained a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Temple University between 2002 and 2005. Prior to that, they pursued a Masters degree in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania from 2000 to 2002. Jonathan'sundergraduate studies took place at Tufts University from 1994 to 1998, where they earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Political Science. Jonathan completed their secondary education at Pembroke Hill High School from 1990 to 1994. In addition to their academic achievements, they also hold certifications from Chainalysis Inc., including the Chainalysis Cryptocurrency Fundamentals Certification obtained in September 2021 and the Chainalysis Reactor Certification (CRC) obtained in October 2021.