ACAMS Today Magazine (September-November 2017) Vol. 16 No. 4 | Page 41

INTERVIEW reached his office. As he fired up his com- puter and we started planning the day, he told me that he had received word that there had been a big money laundering bust the night before and that there were three guests staying in the HSI EDTF hotel (holding cell). He asked if, during our tour, I would like to go for a visit. My response was a quick “Yes.” Erik dove right in and began to share HSI EDTF’s mission, which is “To disrupt and dismantle transnational criminal organiza- tions involved in money laundering and other financial crimes affecting New York, but our reach is worldwide.” HSI EDTF’s mission seems simple enough, but when Erik began to describe the extent of HSI’s responsibilities, which range from financial crimes, anti-gang enforcement, cybercrimes, narcotic smuggling/trafficking to human rights violations to name a few, I was left in awe of the many areas of exper- tise encompassed by one single task force (TF). In striving to fulfill their mission, HSI EDTF is comprised of 30 federal, state and local participating agencies and over 200 federal, state and local investigators, intel- ligence analysts and prosecutors. “EDTF would be near impossible to replicate, but we collaborate with other HSI offices and our federal partners all over the country, in addition to foreign law enforcement organi- zations, to support their ongoing investiga- tions and to help grow their financial crime investigations and financial intelligence functions,” Erik explained. The benefits of such a wide and diverse network of agen- cies and individuals is astounding. The size of the TF was reemphasized as we later walked through the office and passed a wall, which featured all of the official seals of the various agencies. Erik went on to share the importance of deconfliction and how inter-agency commu- nication within the HSI EDTF assists so that each agency is not duplicating efforts or arresting each other’s undercover agents or ruining well-executed sting operations. One thing that Erik mentioned that reso- nated with me is the business side of finan- cial crime fighting. Due to the collaboration amongst all of the agencies, every time agencies pool their resources together, if Erik Rosenblatt sharing the importance of interagency communication and the business side of financial crime fighting assets are seized, each department participa tes in asset sharing to further assist in the fight against financial crime and other crimes that affect the partner agency’s hometown, such as combating the heroin and fentanyl epidemic. I asked Erik what was the biggest asset he had confiscated. He told me the most exciting was a jet, but the biggest was a commercial building. Erik went on to share that HSI EDTF is passionate about its outreach program Cornerstone. At least a couple of times a month HSI EDTF provides trainings for the community on what individuals can do to assist in the fight against financial crime. Erik said, “We have an open door policy. We want to work with people to solve crime.” When asked why HSI EDTF has been so successful, Erik said, “HSI is a collaborative agency. This is why it works.” During the tour, Erik received word that it would be a good time to visit the holding cells. As we made our way down to the floor on which the cells are located, we passed a couple of high-end stores, a gym and some locals, who as Erik put it, had no idea what was behind the non-descript door. As I passed through that door, I started to think about all the cop shows I had seen on TV and wondered if those fictionalized events would bear even a passing resemblance to the reality before me. I was not disappointed. After many past discussions with various members of the law enforcement community of their daily activities, it was gratifying to see first-hand a part of the investigation process. In seeing the HSI EDTF agents at work, I gained a greater appreciation for everything they do to keep our cities safe. After our sojourn in the holding cells, we continued the tour by walking to the other side of the office city block before returning to Erik’s office where I would have the privilege of con- versing with six members of the HSI EDTF. ACAMS TODAY | SEPTEMBER–NOVEMBER 2017 | ACAMS.ORG | ACAMSTODAY.ORG 41