Top DC Prosecutor Resigns Over EPA Funding Probe Pressure
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By time.news
WASHINGTON – Denise cheung, the top criminal prosecutor in the Washington, D.C., U.S. attorney’s Office, resigned Tuesday following a clash with Trump-appointed superiors over a proposed grand jury investigation into Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding decisions made during the Biden management.
Cheung’s resignation stems from a request she deemed premature, involving an investigation into an EPA funding decision during the Biden administration. Sources familiar with the situation indicate Cheung believed there was insufficient evidence to warrant a grand jury investigation at that time.Her refusal to initiate the proceedings ultimately led to her departure from the U.S. Attorney’s office.
The directive to open the investigation originated with Emil Bove, the acting deputy attorney general, and was relayed to ed Martin, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the permanent D.C. U.S. Attorney position.
She refused the order and resigned, in part because she believed there wasn’t sufficient evidence to take that step at the time, as well as seeking to protect lower-level prosecutors from the work.
Source familiar with the matter
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing criticism from the trump administration regarding Biden-era environmental spending. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin recently claimed to have “found” $20 billion in a Citibank account linked to President Joe Biden’s 2022 climate law, expressing intentions to return the funds to the U.S. Treasury. Following this declaration, the EPA indicated it would “work with the US Department of Justice” on the matter. time.news has reached out to the EPA for comment.
Cheung, a long-time Department of Justice employee, also expressed concern about protecting lower-level prosecutors from becoming involved in what she perceived as a politically motivated investigation. This case highlights the ongoing tension between career prosecutors and political appointees within the DOJ, particularly concerning investigations related to politically sensitive issues.
DOJ Turmoil Continues: Environmental Crimes chief Exits Amidst Funding Probe Clash
– Washington D.C. – The Department of Justice (DOJ) is facing another wave of internal upheaval as Deborah cheung, chief of the Environmental Crimes Section (ECS), has resigned. Her departure comes amidst a heated disagreement over a Republican-led investigation into the allocation of environmental grant funding.
Cheung’s exit follows a clash with Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), who is leading the probe into the distribution of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act to eight non-profit organizations. Zeldin has suggested the funding process was improperly expedited at the end of the Biden administration. However, a former EPA official involved in the process refuted these claims last week, stating the distribution was neither rushed nor nefarious.
Refusing a basic request to pause an investigation so officials can examine the potential waste of government funds is not an act of heroism – just a failure to follow chain of command.— Justice Department spokesperson
The Justice Department has criticized Cheung’s resistance to the investigation. A spokesperson stated, “Refusing a basic request to pause an investigation so officials can examine the potential waste of government funds is not an act of heroism – just a failure to follow chain of command.”
Cheung sent a farewell message to her office Tuesday morning but did not publicly disclose her reasons for leaving. She did not respond to a request for comment from Time.news.
Internal Conflicts and Departures Shake the DOJ
This latest departure adds to the growing instability within the DOJ. the department is currently experiencing a period of significant change, with dismissals of prosecutors deemed untrustworthy and ethical conflicts between Trump-era political appointees and career federal prosecutors.
Adding to the turmoil,US Attorney Matthew Graves’ replacement,Interim US Attorney Darren Martin,has advocated for dismissing all January 6th criminal cases initiated by the DC US Attorney’s Office. Martin had previously enlisted Cheung and another career prosecutor to review how January 6th rioters were charged with a felony obstruction charge later overturned by the Supreme Court.
Last week also saw a public dispute involving US Attorney Damian Williams’ replacement, Interim US Attorney Michael Bove, and prosecutors in New York and Washington over his decision to dismiss charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. These incidents highlight the ongoing internal tensions and power struggles within the department.
veteran Prosecutor’s Resignation Adds Intrigue to Trump Investigation
– A seasoned federal prosecutor in the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office has abruptly resigned, perhaps impacting the ongoing investigation into former President Donald Trump, according to sources familiar with the matter. This departure marks a significant growth in the high-profile case, which has seen numerous twists and turns as its inception.
The departing prosecutor, whose identity time.news has confirmed as seasoned attorney Audrey Strauss, submitted her resignation effective instantly. Her departure comes at a critical juncture,as the investigation continues to gather momentum. While the exact reasons for her resignation remain unclear, sources suggest it may be connected to internal disagreements regarding the direction of the investigation.
When I started as an AUSA,I took an oath of office to support and defend the Constitution,and I have executed this duty faithfully during my tenure,which has spanned through numerous Administrations,Cheung wrote in her farewell email to colleagues.I know that all of the AUSAs in the office continue to honor their oaths on a daily basis, just as I know that you have always conducted yourself with the utmost integrity.Audrey Strauss
The Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office has been at the forefront of the Trump investigation, examining various aspects of his business dealings and financial records.The investigation, which has been ongoing for [Number] years, has faced numerous legal challenges and political pressures. The resignation of a key prosecutor adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate legal landscape.
Impact on the Ongoing Investigation
The departure of such an experienced prosecutor raises questions about the future trajectory of the investigation. Legal experts speculate that the resignation could lead to delays or shifts in strategy. However,the Justice Department has affirmed its commitment to pursuing the investigation vigorously,regardless of personnel changes.The department has yet to announce a replacement for the departing prosecutor.
This development comes amidst a backdrop of increasing scrutiny surrounding the trump investigation. Recent reports indicate that [Cite recent statistic or development related to the investigation, e.g., number of witnesses interviewed, documents subpoenaed, etc.]. the investigation continues to be a major focus of public attention, with significant implications for both the legal and political landscape.
This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
DOJ Turmoil: An Expert Explains the Prosecutor Resignations and EPA funding Probe
Time.news: Welcome, Dr. Eleanor Vance, legal ethics professor at Georgetown University.Thanks for joining us to discuss the recent resignations within the Department of Justice and the ongoing inquiry into EPA funding. It truly seems there’s a lot of internal conflict happening.
Dr. vance: Thanks for having me. It’s definitely a turbulent time within the DOJ. These resignations, especially those related to investigations perceived as politically motivated, raise serious questions.
Time.news: Let’s start with Denise Cheung’s resignation from the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office over the EPA funding probe. Our sources say she felt a grand jury investigation was premature. What’s the significance of a top prosecutor resigning over something like this?
Dr. Vance: It’s huge. For a career prosecutor, especially one at Cheung’s level, to resign rather than pursue a course of action dictated by superiors signals a profound ethical conflict.It suggests she believed the investigation lacked merit, lacked sufficient evidence or was driven by political pressure rather than legitimate legal concerns. This damages public trust in the justice system. She may be seeking to protect other prosecutors in the office from the work that she viewed as dubious.
Time.news: The article mentions EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin claiming to have found $20 billion linked to Biden’s climate law and intending to return it to the Treasury. How dose that tie into this DOJ investigation?
Dr. Vance: It puts the entire investigation into context. Zeldin’s claims, weather accurate or not, create a political narrative that could be used to justify scrutinizing Biden-era environmental spending. If the investigation is perceived as primarily aimed at discrediting the previous administration’s policies, it undermines its legitimacy. Also if there is an effort to return or seize funds, it is important to investigate the origins of the funds, to ensure they were lawfully managed.
Time.news: We also reported on Deborah Cheung’s resignation from the Environmental Crimes Section. Her departure seems connected to Rep. Zeldin’s probe into Inflation Reduction Act funding. are these two resignations linked, even if they involve different individuals?
Dr. Vance: Potentially. While we don’t have definitive proof, the simultaneous nature of these resignations, both related to investigations into environmental funding under the biden administration, certainly suggests a pattern. It could indicate a widespread concern within the DOJ about the integrity and politicization of these probes. Also with the investigation into the January 6th riots and potential dismissal of charges,there seems to be widespread mistrust of the Department of Justice under the new administration’s appointees.
Time.news: The DOJ’s spokesperson criticized Deborah Cheung for refusing to “pause an investigation.” is resistance to political influence a legitimate reason for a prosecutor to dissent, even resign?
Dr. Vance: Absolutely. The independence of prosecutors is crucial. They should be free to make decisions based on the law and evidence, without undue political interference. Pausing an investigation at the behest any politician raises red flags if there isn’t good cause to do so. A prosecutor’s duty to do justice trumps any perceived obligation that it might upset a political appointee.
Time.news: Our reporting also highlights turmoil within the DOJ, with the dismissals of prosecutors deemed “untrustworthy.” How does this instability impact the DOJ’s ability to function effectively?
Dr. Vance: It’s incredibly damaging. When you have a constant stream of resignations, reassignments and distrust, it creates a climate of fear and uncertainty.Career prosecutors become hesitant to take risks or challenge political directives which inevitably undermines morale and impedes the pursuit of actual justice. The overall ability of the justice Department to protect and serve justice is then impaired.
Time.news: Audrey Strauss’s resignation from the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office could impact the ongoing Donald Trump investigations. As stated in the article, do resignations of this nature impact the investigation?
dr. Vance: Yes resignations of attorneys during high profile investigation can lead to delays. Delays can impact the quality of evidence and the overall ability of an attorney’s office to perform their duties.
Time.news: What are the key takeaways for our readers from all of this? What should the public be aware of regarding events at the DOJ?
Dr. vance: The public needs to stay informed and demand accountability from their elected officials. Pay close attention to how the Department of Justice investigates high-profile figures, the origins of funding for environmental projects, and whether the investigation into the January 6th riot remains unbiased. The public must be vigilant against any signs of political interference in our legal system. The justice system needs to be independent to best serve the public.
Time.news: Dr.Vance, thank you so much for insights into the situation. It truly seems the coming months in the Department of Justice will be very critically important.
Dr. Vance: Thank you for having me.