A federal judge in New York ruled on Monday that the dismissal of former U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey was illegal and ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to compensate her for lost wages and benefits through December 2025. Comey, who served as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan for nearly ten years, was terminated on July 16, 2025. During her tenure she handled high‑profile cases, including those involving the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs. In her lawsuit, Comey alleged that she was removed because she is the daughter of former FBI director James Comey and that her dismissal was politically motivated in connection with former President Donald Trump. Judge Jesse Furman of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted Comey relief on several points of her claim and rejected portions of the DOJ’s defense. The DOJ had argued that the president or the attorney general can dismiss prosecutors without cause, citing the executive nature of their duties in criminal proceedings. Judge Furman found that such a dismissal was not authorized by applicable law and violated the Federal Civil Service Reform Act. He also rejected the government’s assertion that the Constitution permits the president to remove these officials without the statutory restrictions. The judge ordered the DOJ to retroactively recognize Comey’s salary and pension rights through December 20, 2025, and to amend her personnel file to record that she resigned on that date rather than being dismissed in July.
Article and image source: Clarin Digital