Top Murphy Staffer Leaves For Biden Administration

NEW JERSEY - Governor Phil Murphy is losing another administration official as Paul R. Rodríguez, Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, is joining the Biden-Harris Administration effective immediately. Attorney General Gurbir Grewal has named Kaitlin Caruso as Acting Director of the Division effective immediately.

Rodríguez, who has led the State’s consumer protection agency since June 2018, is to be Deputy General Counsel to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS promotes the health and well-being of all Americans, fostering advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services. The agency plays a critical role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been a focus of Rodríguez’s work in New Jersey over the last year.

“Since his appointment in 2018, Paul Rodriguez has been a tireless advocate for New Jersey’s most vulnerable and provided the Division of Consumer Affairs with the requisite expertise and vision to navigate the unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic,” said Murphy. “Paul’s counsel and professionalism will be a strong addition to the Biden-Harris Administration, and I thank him for his dedication to the betterment of our state.”

Before being appointed to lead the Division of Consumer Affairs in 2018, Rodríguez served as Acting Counsel to the Mayor of New York City, as a projects specialist for U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, and as an associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York City. The New Jersey Senate unanimously confirmed Rodríguez as Director of the Division last year.

“Paul Rodríguez has led the Division of Consumer Affairs with remarkable skill, agility, and determination, protecting consumers from those who would prey on them and working to ensure New Jerseyans have access to healthcare when they need it most,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency, Paul has demonstrated true leadership during a time of crisis, bringing out the best in his staff, expanding the capabilities and scope of the Division, and fighting to promote equity and protect the most vulnerable. We will miss him and his commitment to his home state, but I know he will be a great asset to the Biden-Harris Administration and to all Americans.”

Under Rodríguez’s leadership, the Division has focused on investigating and pursuing complex cases with far-reaching implications across industries, particularly pursuing those who target the most vulnerable, officials said.

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