DOJ weighs plan to slash public corruption unit

The Justice Department (DOJ) is weighing a sizable reduction in a division designed to handle public corruption cases, a move that comes after the department dropped charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

The Public Integrity Section is responsible for bringing high profile cases against public officials who are accused of accepting bribes or flouting election laws.

Prosecutors have been told they will be asked to take new assignments in the department while those cases would instead be assigned to U.S. attorney's offices across the country.

According to The Associated Press, as few as five lawyers may remain in the unit, a sharp decline for a section with about 30 attorneys.

A Justice Department official said the department “is taking a broad look at all its resources” but has yet to make a decision.

The Justice Department has seen a wave of resignations in the wake of the decision to drop charges against Adams, losing prosecutors both in the Southern District of New York as well as leaders of the Public Integrity Section. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ultimately appeared in court urging the dismissal of the case.

The section has several notable alumni, including former special counsel Jack Smith, who ran the office as it pursued cases against former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) and former presidential and vice presidential candidate John Edwards (D).

The Associated Press contributed.

Topics

Justice Department office that prosecutes public corruption slashed in size, sources say

The Trump administration is slashing the size of the Justice Department's unit that oversees prosecutions of public officials accused of corruption, three sources told NBC News.
NBC News - 1d
Aguilar: Democrats still working to unite party against GOP spending bill

The head of the House Democratic Caucus said Tuesday that party leaders are still working to unite their troops against the Republicans’ spending bill. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) bashed the GOP ...
The Hill - 1d
Kleptocrats to benefit from Trump DoJ’s anti-corruption pause, experts warn

Former prosecutors criticize Pam Bondi’s decision to halt enforcement of bribery laws as short-sighted and dangerous. A radical makeover at the US department of justice has seen key drives to fight ...
The Guardian - 2d
Manchester United reveals plans for the "world's greatest" soccer stadium to replace Old Trafford

Manchester United has unveiled plans to build the biggest stadium in the United Kingdom
ABC News - 1d
Newsom to weigh in on Menendez clemency after parole hearing

California Gov. Gavin Newsom says his office does not plan to weigh in on Erik and Lyle Menendez's clemency until after their parole hearing in June. He stressed on his podcast that the clemency ...
NBC News - 14h
Manchester United Pitches New Stadium as Key to Government Growth Plan

Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire co-owner of the soccer club, framed plans for the 100,000-seat venue as crucial to the British government’s plan to revive the northern English city.
The New York Times - 1d
Elon Musk’s White House role weighs on business empire

Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration is complicating his business ventures, as the tech billionaire pushes forward with efforts to slash the federal government and budget in the face of ...
The Hill - 16h
Alabama city leaders vote to replace and rebuild 'corrupt' police department

An Alabama city plans to replace its police department after a grand jury indicted its chief and four officers.
NBC News - 1d
Amorim persists and gives United fans a glimpse of a working plan | Barney Ronay

After the pre-match protests about the owners, Amorim saw his wing-backs combine in what could be a taste of things to come. With 53 minutes gone at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s home support ...
The Guardian - 3d

More from The Hill

5 takeaways from the feisty Wisconsin Supreme Court debate

Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel traded barbs and defended their track records on Wednesday night during their only debate for an open seat on the high court. ...
The Hill - 8m
Majority of Americans have used AI models like ChatGPT: Survey

A majority of Americans have used ChatGPT-like artificial intelligence (AI) models according to a new survey. In the survey from Elon University’s Imagining the Digital Future Center, 52 percent ...
The Hill - 34m
Judge finds Trump unlawfully fired head of federal employee labor board

A federal judge ruled Wednesday that President Trump’s firing of the head of a board that resolves disputes between federal employees and the government was unlawful. U.S. District Judge Sparkle ...
The Hill - 2h
US puts Putin in hot seat with Ukraine ceasefire proposal

Presented by GE Aerospace — {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security PRESENTED BY The Big Story US puts Putin in hot seat with Ukraine ceasefire proposal The United States ...
The Hill - 2h
Distilled Spirits Council CEO warns European whiskey tariff could be 'very, very devastating'

The CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States on Wednesday warned that a European whiskey tariff would be "very, very devastating." “We've just gotten the news early, early this ...
The Hill - 2h