The Free Press Journal

Attorney probing Trump allies refuses to quit

- YOSHITA SINGH

Geoffrey Berman, the powerful US attorney for the Southern District of New York who has investigat­ed a number of associates of President Donald Trump, has said that he has not resigned and has no intention of doing so after the Justice Department moved abruptly to oust him.

Attorney General William P Barr on Friday announced that President Trump planned to replace Berman.

"I learned in a press release from the Attorney General tonight that I was 'stepping down' as United States Attorney. I have not resigned, and have no intention of resigning, my position, to which I was appointed by the Judges of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York," Berman said in a statement on Friday night.

He asserted that he will step down when a presidenti­ally appointed nominee is confirmed by the Senate.

"Until then, our investigat­ions will move forward without delay or interrupti­on. I cherish every day that I work with the men and women of this Office to pursue justice without fear or favour - and intend to ensure that this Office's important cases continue unimpeded." Berman's statement came in response to Barr announceme­nt that Trump intends to nominate the current Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission Jay Clayton as the next United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Barr said in a statement that he thanks Berman, "who is stepping down after two-and-a-half years of service" as Manhattan's top federal prosecutor.

"With tenacity and savvy," Barr said Berman has done "an excellent job leading one of our nation's most significan­t U.S. Attorney's Offices, achieving many successes on consequent­ial civil and criminal matters. I appreciate his service to the Department of Justice and our nation, and I wish him well in the future." Barr added that on his recommenda­tion, Trump has appointed Craig Carpenito, currently the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, to serve as the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, while the Senate is considerin­g Clayton's nomination. The appointmen­t will be effective July 3 and Carpenito will work closely with Berman to "ensure a smooth transition."

"I learned in a press release from the Attorney General William P Barr tonight that I was 'stepping down' as United States Attorney. I have not resigned, and have no intention of resigning, my position, to which I was appointed by the Judges of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York"

—US attorney Geoffrey Berman

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