Ben Penn

Ben Penn

@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

Bloomberg Law reporter covering the Justice Department Bpenn@bloombergindustry.com Signal: benpenn.06

2.7K followers218 following317 posts

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Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

I went long on a new form of Trump DOJ turmoil: Top Las Vegas prosecutor Sigal Chattah repeatedly bypassed Main Justice recusal orders, pushed cases for ex-clients & friends, targeted political foe, & much more. "It's charitable to call it chaos." news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comTrump’s Chief Nevada Prosecutor Shirks DOJ Orders, Boosts AlliesPresident Donald Trump’s top Nevada prosecutor, Sigal Chattah, pushed to launch investigations at the behest of former clients and friends while repeatedly bypassing Justice Department orders recusing...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

Scoop: DOJ's chief congressional liaison, Patrick Davis, will resign at end of Oct., just as his job would transform post-midterms to protecting officials from onslaught of probes if Dems take gavel. With Mica Soellner - news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ’s Hill Liaison to Exit Ahead of Anticipated Democratic FlipThe Justice Department’s top Capitol Hill liaison, Patrick Davis, is stepping down ahead of an anticipated rush of congressional oversight if Democrats win control of at least one chamber.

Ben Penn reposted

Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

SCOOP: Trump DOJ leaders have halted prosecutors' long-running grand jury probe of Meta Platforms over permitting illicit drug sales. Officials intervened just after Meta execs were subpoenaed to testify. Case likely headed for non-criminal resolution. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comMeta Platforms Drug Sale Criminal Probe Halted by DOJ OfficialsTop Justice Department officials have sidelined career prosecutors’ long-running grand jury investigation of Meta Platforms over facilitating illegal pharmaceutical sales, just after company executive...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

SCOOP: Trump DOJ leaders have halted prosecutors' long-running grand jury probe of Meta Platforms over permitting illicit drug sales. Officials intervened just after Meta execs were subpoenaed to testify. Case likely headed for non-criminal resolution. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comMeta Platforms Drug Sale Criminal Probe Halted by DOJ OfficialsTop Justice Department officials have sidelined career prosecutors’ long-running grand jury investigation of Meta Platforms over facilitating illegal pharmaceutical sales, just after company executive...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

At a hearing yesterday in which fed judge indicated he'll likely disqualify Bill Essayli as LA's top prosecutor, Essayli sat as second chair & told reporters: “The president runs the executive branch & nothing here is going to change that.” By Mitch Black: news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/d...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Effort to Save Essayli From Removal Fails to Impress JudgeLos Angeles’ top federal prosecutor Bill Essayli is likely to be disqualified from his position leading the Central District of California’s US attorneys’ office after a Tuesday hearing reevaluating h...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

News: The rise of Trump admin's DOJ fraud division has decimated a once elite white collar unit known for convicting market manipulating traders at big banks. Criminal Division is now trying to stop the exodus with unheard of retention bonuses. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Fraud Division’s Rise Diminishes Premier White Collar UnitThe Justice Department’s corporate crime enforcement hub has lost the bulk of its market manipulation and securities expertise over the past few months, accelerating what former officials call a downg...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

JUST IN: Justice Dept. employees have been directed by a top official to start using Trump's preferred term "Super Intelligence" instead of AI - including in court filings when appropriate. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Staff Told to Refer to AI as ‘Super Intelligence’ in CourtA senior Trump Justice Department official directed the workforce to replace the term “AI” with “Super Intelligence” in their official communications — including in court filings “when appropriate” — ...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

NEW: Lawyers for Olympic canoeist charged with damaging reflecting pool want DOJ IG investigation of US Attorney Jeanine Pirro for her actions in the failed prosecution. They lodge new accusations that Pirro interrogated defense expert mid-inspection. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Watchdog Urged to Investigate Pirro for Reflecting Pool CaseThe former Olympic canoeist charged with vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has asked the Justice Department’s watchdog to investigate Washington US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, lodging new a...

Ben Penn reposted

Bloomberg Law
@bloomberglaw.com

The Seattle US attorney who was fired by President Donald Trump must remain sidelined for now, as judges consider a longer stay during the Justice Department’s appeal of a trial court decision restoring the prosecutor’s post.

bit.lyAppeals Court Pauses Return of Seattle US Attorney Trump FiredThe Seattle US attorney who was fired by President Donald Trump must remain sidelined for now, as judges consider a longer stay during the Justice Department’s appeal of a trial court decision restoring the prosecutor’s post.
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

Now official: DOJ obtains cyberstalking indictment of man for allegedly making dozens of harassing calls to Katie Miller and her parents, per Brian Dowling news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comFederal Prosecutors Charge Man With Cyberstalking Katie MillerFederal prosecutors in Boston have charged a Massachusetts man with allegedly stalking an unnamed top Republican official’s wife by leaving disturbing phone messages and texts over a two months period...
Ben Penn@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

More fallout from FBI's ouster of sr. agents heading probe into Katie Miller caller, as case shifts to Boston. Despite fed prosecutors' skepticism, charges coming any day in what former officials said sounds like a matter better suited for local police. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Prepares to Charge Veteran for Calling Stephen Miller’s WifeFederal prosecutors in Boston are under mounting pressure to imminently charge a military veteran for allegedly making threatening phone calls to Stephen Miller’s wife, despite internal evidentiary co...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

As I previewed in Feb., Seattle bar had been hoping to find a court-selected pick who'd be willing to sue when fired. Might not be a desireable spot, since Rogoff's temp court W today means he must operate within a potentially hostile Main Justice news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comSeattle Bar Readies to Confront Trump on Next US Attorney FiringThe Trump administration’s escalating confrontation with judges over US attorney appointments is next bound for an entirely Biden-selected trial court in Seattle, where lawyers want whomever is picked...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

More fallout from FBI's ouster of sr. agents heading probe into Katie Miller caller, as case shifts to Boston. Despite fed prosecutors' skepticism, charges coming any day in what former officials said sounds like a matter better suited for local police. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Prepares to Charge Veteran for Calling Stephen Miller’s WifeFederal prosecutors in Boston are under mounting pressure to imminently charge a military veteran for allegedly making threatening phone calls to Stephen Miller’s wife, despite internal evidentiary co...
Ben Penn@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

SCOOP: FBI removes two veteran counterterrorism leaders over frustrations from Stephen & Katie Miller that they hadn't made progress in probing allegedly threatening phone calls Katie received news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comFBI Ousts Officials Probing Threats to Stephen Miller’s FamilyFBI leadership removed two counterterrorism leaders due to dissatisfaction with their investigation of allegedly threatening phone calls made to senior White House aide Stephen Miller’s wife, said thr...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

Exclusive: Fed prosecutors in Boston readying to charge a veteran for allegedly harassing calls to Stephen Miller wife, Katie. Trump DOJ wants imminent charges but career AUSAs have concerns about evidence. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Prepares to Charge Veteran Who Called Stephen Miller’s WifeFederal prosecutors in Boston are under mounting pressure to imminently charge a military veteran for allegedly making threatening phone calls to Stephen Miller’s wife, despite internal evidentiary co...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

JUST IN: FBI co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey quits after one year serving under Kash Patel. Former Missouri AG Bailey tells colleagues he wants to spend more time with family. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comFBI Deputy Bailey Resigns After One Year as Top Kash Patel AideFBI co-Deputy Director Andrew Bailey has resigned following a brief and tumultuous tenure sharing the duties as No. 2 to Kash Patel, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

Updated w/ statement from FBI's DC chief Darren Cox: “Director Patel did not order this decision. This was a personnel decision made at the Washington field office level alone based on our constant evaluation of mission needs. Any suggestion otherwise is false.”

Ben Penn@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

SCOOP: FBI removes two veteran counterterrorism leaders over frustrations from Stephen & Katie Miller that they hadn't made progress in probing allegedly threatening phone calls Katie received news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comFBI Ousts Officials Probing Threats to Stephen Miller’s FamilyFBI leadership removed two counterterrorism leaders due to dissatisfaction with their investigation of allegedly threatening phone calls made to senior White House aide Stephen Miller’s wife, said thr...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

SCOOP: FBI removes two veteran counterterrorism leaders over frustrations from Stephen & Katie Miller that they hadn't made progress in probing allegedly threatening phone calls Katie received news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comFBI Ousts Officials Probing Threats to Stephen Miller’s FamilyFBI leadership removed two counterterrorism leaders due to dissatisfaction with their investigation of allegedly threatening phone calls made to senior White House aide Stephen Miller’s wife, said thr...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

ICYMI - SDNY US atty’s office is looking to staff up with temp JAG prosecutors next month for a law enforcement surge. This suggests Trump admin may be plotting immigration crackdown in Manhattan just before the election.

Ben Penn@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

NEWS: DOJ is recruiting military lawyers for October prosecutor posts supporting immigration related law enforcement surges in Manhattan, LA, & Sacramento, per Pentagon email reviewed by @BLaw. I’m told this is unheard of for SDNY. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Seeks Military Lawyers for New York Law Enforcement SurgeThe Justice Department is enlisting military attorneys as temporary prosecutors supporting law enforcement surges in Manhattan, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, according to a Defense Department email rev...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

NEWS: DOJ is recruiting military lawyers for October prosecutor posts supporting immigration related law enforcement surges in Manhattan, LA, & Sacramento, per Pentagon email reviewed by @BLaw. I’m told this is unheard of for SDNY. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Seeks Military Lawyers for New York Law Enforcement SurgeThe Justice Department is enlisting military attorneys as temporary prosecutors supporting law enforcement surges in Manhattan, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, according to a Defense Department email rev...

Ben Penn reposted

Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

NEW: AG Todd Blanche’s attempt to show DOJ attorneys he has their backs got off to a bumpy start in closed-door Atlanta meeting. Prosecutors confronted him with tough questions on staff firings & low morale. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comBlanche Gets Pushback From DOJ Staffers He’s Trying to Win OverSeveral career Justice Department prosecutors recently confronted Attorney General Todd Blanche about politically motivated firings and low morale during a closed-door meet-and-greet in Atlanta, highl...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

NEW: AG Todd Blanche’s attempt to show DOJ attorneys he has their backs got off to a bumpy start in closed-door Atlanta meeting. Prosecutors confronted him with tough questions on staff firings & low morale. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comBlanche Gets Pushback From DOJ Staffers He’s Trying to Win OverSeveral career Justice Department prosecutors recently confronted Attorney General Todd Blanche about politically motivated firings and low morale during a closed-door meet-and-greet in Atlanta, highl...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

News: DOJ pushes US attorneys to ramp up rare noncitizen voting charges ahead of midterms, while some officials question how prosecutors can prove criminal intent of foreign nationals who are sometimes registered to vote accidentally by states news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Urges Expanding Rare Noncitizen Voting Cases Before MidtermsJustice Department leaders are pressing prosecutors nationwide to boost noncitizen voting charges before the midterms, relying on a rarely-used statute that some officials acknowledge presents evident...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

NEW: Justice Dept. has promoted Aakash Singh, one of the administration's brashest aides in carrying out Trump-aligned overhaul of US attorney's offices, to principal associate DAG - a critical behind the scenes operational role affecting entire workforce. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comUS Attorney Enforcer Singh Gets DOJ Senior Leadership PromotionThe Justice Department promoted Aakash Singh, an aide responsible for the aggressive overhaul of US attorneys’ offices to meet Trump priorities, to a top leadership role, said two people familiar with...

Ben Penn reposted

Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

SCOOP: Justice Dept. plans activating long-dormant maritime war court to streamline capture of Iranian oil tankers as US prizes. Legally uncertain plan intended to bolster blockade of Iran. A feature of 1700s naval combat, prize courts set to return in Houston. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comUS Aims to Revive Civil War-Era Court to Claim Iran Oil as PrizeThe Justice Department is preparing to activate a long-dormant maritime war court to streamline military capture of Iranian oil tankers as US prizes, according to three people familiar with the plans.
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

SCOOP: Justice Dept. plans activating long-dormant maritime war court to streamline capture of Iranian oil tankers as US prizes. Legally uncertain plan intended to bolster blockade of Iran. A feature of 1700s naval combat, prize courts set to return in Houston. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comUS Aims to Revive Civil War-Era Court to Claim Iran Oil as PrizeThe Justice Department is preparing to activate a long-dormant maritime war court to streamline military capture of Iranian oil tankers as US prizes, according to three people familiar with the plans.
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

Civil forfeiture has become the go-to framework for seizing vessels in recent decades, but prize courts seen as less complicated option to expedite process of capturing ships, selling cargo, moving proceeds to US treasury.

Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

NEW: Nevada county GOP chairman asks court to dismiss fraud charges, accusing Trump's top Nevada prosecutor of 'outrageous' conduct. Motion relies on @bloomberglaw.com reporting (see below) that Chattah disregarded recusal from case against her rival. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comNevada Politician Accuses Top Trump Prosecutor of Targeting HimA former Nevada county commissioner asked a federal judge to toss his fraud indictment, alleging the state’s Trump-appointed chief prosecutor targeted him due to political rivalry and bypassed her rec...
Ben Penn@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

I went long on a new form of Trump DOJ turmoil: Top Las Vegas prosecutor Sigal Chattah repeatedly bypassed Main Justice recusal orders, pushed cases for ex-clients & friends, targeted political foe, & much more. "It's charitable to call it chaos." news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comTrump’s Chief Nevada Prosecutor Shirks DOJ Orders, Boosts AlliesPresident Donald Trump’s top Nevada prosecutor, Sigal Chattah, pushed to launch investigations at the behest of former clients and friends while repeatedly bypassing Justice Department orders recusing...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

Separate vindictive pros motion alleges Chattah targeted her fellow Nevada GOP politician in overseeing his prosecution. Chattah once told defendant Leo Blundo's then-wife that Blundo "does not know who he is fucking with,” per filing.

Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

NEW: DOJ appointed right-wing Judicial Watch FOIA lawyer Katie Blankenberg to lead Office of Information Policy - overseeing all federal records disclosures. My story on the stark departure from nonpartisan traditions & concerns of FOIA favoritism: news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comFOIA Chief Brings Right-Wing Bonafides to Nonpartisan DOJ OfficeThe Justice Department’s new overseer of executive branch FOIA records disclosures brings a right-wing background working to expose alleged Democratic wrongdoing to a formerly apolitical position.

Ben Penn reposted

Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

News: AG Blanche and White House are searching for a deputy attorney general, but a top contender with WH support would revive $1.776B fund battle in Senate. Candidate field is shrinking in open DAG race. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comBlanche’s DOJ Deputy Options Risk Renewed Settlement Fund FightAttorney General Todd Blanche’s acting deputy is in contention for the permanent role, but White House and Justice Department leaders worry he’d face a bruising Senate confirmation battle on the same ...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

News: AG Blanche and White House are searching for a deputy attorney general, but a top contender with WH support would revive $1.776B fund battle in Senate. Candidate field is shrinking in open DAG race. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comBlanche’s DOJ Deputy Options Risk Renewed Settlement Fund FightAttorney General Todd Blanche’s acting deputy is in contention for the permanent role, but White House and Justice Department leaders worry he’d face a bruising Senate confirmation battle on the same ...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

JUST IN: DOJ issues final rule expanding prosecution powers of Fraud Division chief beyond what was previously contemplated. This is the new office that's been closely watched by JD Vance, Stephen Miller. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Rule Expands Fraud Division Powers, Restrains Criminal ChiefThe Justice Department is further boosting authorities of the White House-launched fraud division while stripping powers previously held by its Criminal Division leader.
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

JUST IN: DOJ has its first newly sworn in inspector general in over 14 years. Don Berthiaume instantly sends staff a memo that underscores delicate balancing act for any Trump watchdog that'll be particularly challenging at this DOJ. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ’s Internal Watchdog Walks Tightrope in Opening Memo to StaffDon Berthiaume outlined plans for vigorous yet restrained Justice Department oversight shortly after his swearing-in as inspector general, highlighting the delicate balancing act he must perform as a ...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

NEW: Top LA prosecutor Bill Essayli hired his former state assembly chief into leadership team of US attorney’s office despite him being on probation for 3rd DUI conviction. New hire was charged w/ battery & theft week before 1st day on job. With Mitch Black: news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comTop LA Prosecutor Essayli Hires Ally With Multiple ArrestsThe top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles hired his former senior state legislative aide who faces potential imminent jail time for violating a drunk-driving probation due to new battery and grand the...

Ben Penn reposted

Brad Heath
@bradheath.bsky.social

The Trump administration has sidelined the Justice Department's two internal watchdogs, even as it faced an extraordinary series of findings that it had trampled legal rules. New investigations by the office that oversees legal ethics fell to a two-decade low. www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...

Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

ICYMI: Kash Patel aims to shrink FBI general counsel's office. OGC had survived in Trump 2.0 despite Project 2025 calling for its elimination, but there've been increasing tensions between Patel & GC Sam Ramer (who's hardly an obstructionist) this year. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comPatel to Reduce FBI Lawyers as General Counsel Tensions Rise (2)FBI Director Kash Patel is planning to shrink his legal advisory office, deepening divisions with his general counsel as outside lawsuits challenge prior staff terminations, said people familiar with ...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

Update from FBI spox Ben Williamson: “All divisions within the FBI are undergoing long overdue reorganizations – including the Office of the General Counsel ... part of our wide-ranging effort to make the Bureau more efficient, effective, and responsive to the taxpayers we serve."

Ben Penn reposted

Seth Stern
@sethstern.bsky.social

The Trump Justice Department likes to say it's doing more cases with fewer prosecutors, but the numbers it heralds in Nevada don't line up with their own case data, report @benjaminpenn.bsky.social and Owen Auston-Babcock news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Data Contradicts Claims of Big Indictment Bump, Review ShowsThe Justice Department is overstating the extent to which the Nevada US attorney’s office has increased criminal charges and indictments while losing prosecutors during President Trump’s second term, ...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

NEW: Justice Dept. claimed indictments are up under fiery Trump loyalist leader in Las Vegas, Sigal Chattah. Our analysis of DOJ’s own case data showed the opposite. My dive with Owen Auston-Babcock: news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Data Contradicts Claims of Big Indictment Bump, Review ShowsThe Justice Department is overstating the extent to which the Nevada US attorney’s office has increased criminal charges and indictments while losing prosecutors during President Trump’s second term, ...
Ben Penn@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

I went long on a new form of Trump DOJ turmoil: Top Las Vegas prosecutor Sigal Chattah repeatedly bypassed Main Justice recusal orders, pushed cases for ex-clients & friends, targeted political foe, & much more. "It's charitable to call it chaos." news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comTrump’s Chief Nevada Prosecutor Shirks DOJ Orders, Boosts AlliesPresident Donald Trump’s top Nevada prosecutor, Sigal Chattah, pushed to launch investigations at the behest of former clients and friends while repeatedly bypassing Justice Department orders recusing...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

Now official: DOJ files motion to dismiss indictment of alleged crypto fraudster. Associate DAG Aakash Singh tells judge DOJ “decided, in its prosecutorial discretion, not to devote further resources” news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Asks Judge to Dismiss Alleged Crypto Ponzi Schemer’s CaseFederal prosecutors in New Jersey have sought a judge’s approval to dismiss with prejudice longstanding charges against the alleged mastermind of a $722 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme.
Ben Penn@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

Scoop: Trump DOJ to drop charges for alleged $722M crypto Ponzi schemer, just before trial. BitClub mastermind said he'd built scam on backs of "idiots" & "sheep." He hired Trump-connected lawyers to lobby DOJ HQ for relief, overruling NJ prosecutors. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comUS to Drop Charges for Alleged $722 Million Crypto Ponzi SchemerJustice Department leaders plan to drop charges against the alleged mastermind of a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that prosecutors said defrauded investors of $722 million, reversing course on a 2019 in...

Ben Penn reposted

Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

NEWS: Trump DOJ is quietly recruiting prosecutors to join a public corruption initiative inside the new Fraud Division that'll target state officials like Tim Walz for failing to prevent schemes, ramping up probes of blue state leaders ahead of midterms news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comTrump Targets State Officials Via New DOJ Public Corruption TeamThe Justice Department is quietly recruiting prosecutors for a public corruption initiative within its White House-linked fraud division, potentially ramping up politically charged investigations of s...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

NEWS: Trump DOJ is quietly recruiting prosecutors to join a public corruption initiative inside the new Fraud Division that'll target state officials like Tim Walz for failing to prevent schemes, ramping up probes of blue state leaders ahead of midterms news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comTrump Targets State Officials Via New DOJ Public Corruption TeamThe Justice Department is quietly recruiting prosecutors for a public corruption initiative within its White House-linked fraud division, potentially ramping up politically charged investigations of s...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

JUST IN: Roger Rogoff, court-appointed US attorney in Seattle who Trump immediately fired, has sued to regain his post. The novel challenge takes aim at White House authority to bypass judiciary & Senate in choosing prosecutors news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comSeattle’s Fired US Attorney Sues Trump and DOJ to Resume PostSeattle’s judicially selected US attorney is alleging President Donald Trump illegally terminated him last week, filing a novel and high-stakes lawsuit taking aim at the administration’s constitutiona...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

ICYMI - Trump admin. brings on a new top prosecutor in EDVA, Theo Stamos, who last fall was leading Va. state AG's effort to investigate a retired college professor for protesting outside Stephen and Katie Miller's home.

Ben Penn@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

News: DOJ installs new head of embattled Eastern Dist. of Va. US atty's office that charged Trump enemies under Halligan. Interesting pick - Theo Stamos was Dem elected as Arlington's top prosecutor. Since 2019, she appears to have veered toward MAGA: news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Taps Veteran Prosecutor to Lead Embattled Virginia OfficeThe Justice Department has installed Theo Stamos, a longtime state and local prosecutor, to lead the Eastern Virginia US attorney’s office, which is at the center of controversy over Trump directives ...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

News: DOJ installs new head of embattled Eastern Dist. of Va. US atty's office that charged Trump enemies under Halligan. Interesting pick - Theo Stamos was Dem elected as Arlington's top prosecutor. Since 2019, she appears to have veered toward MAGA: news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

news.bloomberglaw.comDOJ Taps Veteran Prosecutor to Lead Embattled Virginia OfficeThe Justice Department has installed Theo Stamos, a longtime state and local prosecutor, to lead the Eastern Virginia US attorney’s office, which is at the center of controversy over Trump directives ...
Ben Penn
@benjaminpenn.bsky.social

UPDATE: Trump fires Seattle US Attorney under an hour after judges appointed him. Roger Rogoff tells me he's weighing legal options: “We have a situation that is untenable, not constitutional, and not legal.” news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and...

news.bloomberglaw.comWhite House Rapidly Fires Seattle Judges’ US Attorney Pick (1)The White House rapidly fired the new judicially appointed US attorney in Seattle, Roger Rogoff, setting up potentially the first legal battle over the executive branch’s termination authority for suc...