Federal prosecutor on Epstein, Combs cases fired by DOJ in controversial move

New York: Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, has been dismissed from the Justice Department, according to three people familiar with the matter. Maurene Comey was a veteran lawyer in the Southern District of New York, long considered the most elite of the Justice Department's prosecution offices.

The sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of personnel decisions, said no official reason has been provided for Comey's termination. She did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.

Comey had handled several high-profile cases, including the sex trafficking prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein and the recent racketeering and sex trafficking case against hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. The case against Combs concluded earlier this month with a mixed verdict, he was acquitted of the more serious charges but convicted on lesser prostitution-related offenses that could result in a few years in prison.

Her exit has raised concerns about potential political motivations behind recent Justice Department firings. Under Attorney General Pam Bondi, the department has recently dismissed several prosecutors without publicly stated justifications, including people involved in politically sensitive cases, such as those stemming from the January 6 Capitol riot and investigations led by Special Counsel Jack Smith targeting former President Donald Trump.

Maurene Comey's dismissal comes amid renewed scrutiny of her father, James Comey, who served as FBI director under Presidents Obama and Trump until his controversial firing in 2017. Trump had reportedly asked him for a loyalty pledge, an overture Comey documented in internal memos. That incident became a flashpoint in the Russia election interference investigation, which was later led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

The Justice Department has recently signaled that it may be investigating James Comey, though the scope and basis of the probe remain unclear.

In addition to the Combs case, Maurene Comey played a key role in securing the conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell on charges related to Epstein's sex trafficking operation. She was one of six female prosecutors on the Maxwell team and delivered critical arguments in both trials.

Attorney General Bondi has faced mounting pressure from conservative circles, particularly over the department’s decision not to release additional evidence from the Epstein investigation. Right-wing commentators, including Laura Loomer, have criticized Bondi and publicly demanded Comey’s removal.

AP inputs