Associated Press reports Erik Siebert being removed as Trump officials pursue New York attorney general
Associated Press reports Erik Siebert being removed as Trump officials pursue New York attorney general
The US attorney whose office has been investigating mortgage fraud allegations against New York attorney general Letitia James has been told he is being removed from the position, a person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press on Friday, amid a push by Trump administration officials to bring criminal charges against the perceived adversary of the president.
The move to replace Erik Siebert, a career prosecutor in the prestigious eastern district of Virginia, was described by a person who was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity. It was unclear which official told Siebert he was being removed, what reason was given or who might replace him.
The status of any leadership change remained unclear as no public announcement had been made by Friday afternoon. Spokespeople for Seibert’s office and the justice department declined to comment.
The development comes as Trump administration officials have been aggressively pursuing allegations against James arising from alleged paperwork discrepancies on her Brooklyn townhouse and a Virginia home. The justice department has spent months conducting the investigation but has yet to bring charges, and there has been no indication that prosecutors have managed to uncover any degree of incriminating evidence necessary to secure an indictment.
To the extent the effort to replace Siebert is designed to hasten criminal charges, the move is likely to deepen concerns that the department – already investigating other public figures Donald Trump regards as foes – is being weaponized by a White House seeking to have its prosecutorial powers used for purposes of retribution.
James’s lawyers have vigorously denied any allegations and characterized the investigation as an act of political revenge.
