Klobuchar and Franken recommended Luger for U.S. Attorney for Minnesota and today’s vote paves the way for Luger to receive a vote on the Senate floor 

Luger previously served as Assistant U.S. Attorney, is an experienced litigator, and was commended for his work reviewing the Metro Gang Strike Force

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken today announced that the nomination of Andrew Luger to be U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota has passed the Judiciary Committee. Klobuchar and Franken recommended Luger for the position, and today’s vote paves the way for Luger to receive a full vote on the Senate floor. Luger previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, is an experienced litigator, and was commended for his work reviewing the Metro Gang Strike Force.

“Minnesota needs a full-time U.S. Attorney now, and Andy Luger has the experience and know-how necessary to do this job well,” Klobuchar said. “Today’s vote is another critical step towards Andy being able to continue his public service as Minnesota’s next U.S. Attorney.”

“I’m very pleased that we were able to clear Andy Luger through the Senate Judiciary Committee,” said Sen. Franken. “Andy's invaluable experience serving in both the public and private sectors makes him an exceptional candidate for the job, and I believe the legal experience and know-how that he brings to the table will greatly benefit Minnesotans. I have no doubt he'll make a great U.S. Attorney, and I look forward to continue helping him through the nomination process.”

In 2009, Luger was appointed by former Commissioner of Public Safety Michael Campion to lead the investigation of the Metro Gang Strike Force and uncovered a series of problems with the unit; he recommended the unit be permanently disbanded, and it was subsequently abolished. A Star Tribune editorial said that Luger’s review of the Strike Force made “smart recommendations about the Twin Cities’ next-generation gang-fighting strategy” and that his report included “welcome measures to begin the long process of rebuilding the public’s trust.” In 2008, Luger was also appointed by St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman to co-chair the review of law enforcement’s treatment of the protestors during the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul. In 2012, Luger was appointed by Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak to review the city’s youth violence prevention program, and is currently chair of the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.

Luger is currently a partner at the Greene Espel law firm and has been selected as one of Minnesota’s Top 100 “Super Lawyers” for the past ten years. He has been listed as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” for the past four years. Prior to his time at Greene Espel, Luger served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Minnesota and New York for seven years. Luger successfully prosecuted organized crime, drug and white collar cases including a $150 million national real estate and investment fraud case, which led to one of the longest white collar sentences in the United States and was one of the biggest white collar criminal cases in Minnesota at the time.

Luger is married to Ellen Goldberg Luger, the Executive Director of the General Mills Foundation, and has two children, Stephanie and Josh. He has spent the last 20 years residing in Edina and Minneapolis.

###