The agent who oversaw the largest Mafia bust in FBI history was named Monday as the new special agent in charge of the bureau’s Dallas office.
Diego Rodriguez, who joined the FBI in 1990, replaces Robert Casey, who is retiring on April 30.
In New York, Rodriguez now supervises the criminal division, where he has overseen cases involving public corruption, violent gangs and financial crimes.
In January 2011, more than 800 agents fanned out across the Northeast and rounded up more than 100 accused mobsters on charges ranging from murder to loan sharking.
News reports in New York also indicate Rodriguez has sometimes used creative methods to go after wrongdoing -- even pleading with criminals to turn themselves in.
In December 2011, Rodriguez went public with a message for those involved in a scheme to collect phony disability benefits by employees of the Long Island Railroad.
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"Who has better information about this scheme than those who perpetrated it?" Rodiguez told the New York newspaper Newsday. "We look forward to hearing from you. For those who choose not to contact us, there's a good chance we'll be contacting you."
He also presided over a 2011 investigation in which eight current and former New York police officers were charged with smuggling illegal firearms, including M-16 rifles, into the city.
Rodriguez previously served in Puerto Rico, Miami and Washington, D.C.
“I have the highest regard for Mr. Rodriguez,” Casey said in a written statement. “I am confident he has the experience and leadership qualities to ensure an effective role here in the Dallas office.”
Rodriguez will start in Dallas this summer, according to an FBI news release.
