EASTERN KENTUCKY U.S. ATTORNEY WANTS 'FAIR SHAKE' FOR ALL

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- As the new U.S. attorney in Eastern Kentucky, Amul
Thapar will likely oversee high-profile cases against political
officials, child molesters, drug rings and employers who circumvent
immigration laws.

But his main priority, he said, is to ensure "people feel like
they're getting a fair shake at every level of government, period."

A son of Indian immigrants, Thapar grew up in Ohio with a strong
sense of patriotism, which inspired his ambition to study and
eventually enforce the laws of the United States.

"When I was growing up, I heard a lot about how great this country is
and I wanted to preserve that," Thapar said in an interview. "And one
of the ways you preserve it is through prosecution and law enforcement."

Thapar, 37, was appointed by President Bush in February to head
federal prosecutions in the state's eastern half and was sworn in the
following month. Before his confirmation, Thapar was an assistant
U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Ohio and the District of Columbia.

"Where I'm sitting is a result of opportunities -- that the child of
immigrants can be presidentially appointed," he said.

Thapar said his office will continue to prosecute crimes that
threaten the "fair shake," including illegal immigration and
government corruption. He added that employers harboring illegal
immigrants are breaking the law and "will be brought to justice."

His office this month charged 15 people tied to a Northern Kentucky
construction company in an investigation into construction
contractors harboring illegal immigrants. The indictments against the
individuals allege they conspired with subcontractors to hide and
hire illegal aliens for commercial advantage and private financial
gain. Six people also were charged with either illegally being in the
United States or having falsified immigration documents.

"We want people to have the opportunity to come to this country as we
all have," he said, "but we want people to do it the right way."

Thapar said people also are entitled to expect a fair government and
clean elections, although he acknowledged that Eastern Kentucky has a
reputation of vote fraud and political corruption.

Before Thapar's appointment, the U.S. attorney's office for the
Eastern District of Kentucky prosecuted a half-dozen cases of
significant vote fraud in the region.

In an upcoming case, state Sen. Johnny Ray Turner, a Democrat from
Floyd County, faces trial in September on charges of election fraud.

"We don't take pleasure ever in prosecuting public officials," Thapar
said. "... But when they're corrupt we absolutely must do it, so mom
and dad feel they get a fair shake."

Thapar became experienced in handling high-profile cases during his
work in Ohio.

He assembled the Southern Ohio Mortgage Fraud Task Force and helped
put away some 40 defendants engaged in mortgage fraud.

In Kentucky, he expects to play a large role in helping law
enforcement crack down on suppliers of illegal and prescription
drugs, and pedophiles who use the Internet to prey on children.

"If you come to Kentucky to molest a child, this office is committed
to sending you to jail for as long as we possibly can," said Thapar,
a married father of three young children.

"I'd love there to be a billboard on I-75 and 64 when you enter
Kentucky saying 'Child molesters can come in, but they'll never
leave,' " he added.

Thapar speaks fondly of Kentucky and the 67 counties in his jurisdiction.

He said he and his wife, Kim, a native of Fort Wright, feel welcomed
by local communities and appreciate the different cultures and
concerns within each part of Kentucky -- from the busier cities in
the northern and central parts of the state to the quieter coal towns
in the east.

"I'm hoping I can hold this job for 20 years," he said. "For me
personally, this is such a great place."