Justice Department Fires Epstein and Diddy Prosecutor Maurene Comey Amidst Manhattan Office Shake-Up
NEW YORK, NY — The U.S. Department of Justice has terminated Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey from the Southern District of New York (SDNY), multiple sources confirmed to ABC News on Wednesday, marking the latest flashpoint in the Trump administration’s quiet purge of federal prosecutors tied to politically sensitive cases — including those involving Jeffrey Epstein and Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Comey, a high-profile federal prosecutor and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, had most recently led the sex trafficking prosecution of Diddy. The trial ended earlier this month with a mixed verdict: Combs was convicted on a prostitution-related charge but acquitted of more serious charges, such as sex trafficking and coercion.
Comey’s dismissal shocked legal circles, especially given her successful track record. She previously led the prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, securing a conviction that brought some accountability to Epstein’s global trafficking ring. She also played a role in the original federal case against Epstein, who died in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting trial — a death ruled a suicide, but one that remains surrounded by public skepticism and conspiracy.
Neither the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan nor the Justice Department offered official comment on the firing. A DOJ spokesperson did not respond to inquiries from press outlets, fueling speculation that Comey’s dismissal may have been politically motivated.
A Targeted Shake-Up
Comey’s firing comes amid a wave of dismissals and resignations within the SDNY — often considered the most powerful federal prosecutor’s office in the country due to its jurisdiction over Wall Street, high-profile criminal cases, and political corruption probes.
In April 2025, the office’s acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky stepped down under pressure. He had only recently replaced Danielle Sassoon, who resigned in February in protest after the DOJ dropped federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams — a controversial decision that raised questions about political interference.
Sassoon herself had been appointed as a placeholder after Trump abruptly fired Edward Kim, who was viewed by insiders as an apolitical prosecutor respected for his independence.
With Podolsky out, Trump installed Jay Clayton, a former SEC Chairman and longtime Trump ally, as interim U.S. Attorney for SDNY. Legal observers have noted that Clayton lacks prosecutorial experience but aligns closely with Trump’s vision for the Justice Department.
Comey’s Name Always a Flashpoint
Maurene Comey’s family connection has long made her a target within Trump’s inner circle. Her father, James Comey, was famously fired by Trump in 2017 after initiating the FBI’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Since then, Trump has frequently referred to the Comey family as “deep state operatives” and is said to have privately expressed frustration that someone with that surname remained in his administration at all.
According to ABC News, Trump has in recent months “privately vented” about Maurene Comey’s continued presence in SDNY, particularly as her team built the case against Diddy — a case that intersected with the entertainment elite and political donor circles.
Legal Community Reacts
Former federal prosecutors and legal ethics experts say the termination of a career prosecutor like Comey without public explanation is highly unusual and potentially troubling.
“It’s very rare for someone with this kind of track record to be removed so abruptly,” said one former SDNY prosecutor who asked to remain anonymous. “Given the high-profile nature of her cases, there’s concern this was more about politics than performance.”
With the DOJ silent and Trump’s allies consolidating control over SDNY, many worry that the Justice Department is being reshaped to reflect loyalty over independence — a pattern critics say threatens the rule of law.
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