Governor-elect Sherrill Announces Emehelu as Comptroller Nominee

On Jan 5, 2026

Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill has nominated Shirley Emehelu to be State Comptroller.

Emehelu was the Executive Assistant Attorney General from 2022-2024. She was previously a Member of the White Collar Criminal Defense and Government Investigations Group of Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi, and co-led the firm’s Banking and Finance Group. She also previously served as Chief of Asset Recovery and Anti-Money Laundering for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, overseeing various statewide programs, including federal asset forfeiture, money laundering, and victim restitution.  During her nine-year tenure at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she prosecuted numerous complex financial fraud cases. Emehelu clerked for the Honorable James R. Spencer in the Eastern District of Virginia.  She received her B.A. from Yale University and J.D. from Yale Law School.

“Shirley is a leader who will fiercely uphold the rule of law, expose corruption, and ensure that state government is transparent and accountable. I worked closely with Shirley at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and saw how she implemented innovative reforms in the criminal legal system that improved public safety in New Jersey. I know that she will bring a focus on public service, integrity, and fairness to the Comptroller’s office to ensure that Trenton is being a good steward of New Jerseyans’ tax dollars to make life more affordable,” said Sherrill.

“It’s an honor to be nominated to be New Jersey’s next Comptroller. I worked alongside the Governor-elect at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and I know that her administration will be guided by a commitment to public service and accountability to the people. Our office will serve as a watchdog for the state and public trust – uncovering fraud, waste, and corruption to protect New Jersey taxpayers,” said Emehelu.

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