Introduction to the Firing of a Federal Prosecutor

Background on the Case

A federal prosecutor in Los Angeles was fired Friday at the behest of the White House, after lawyers for a fast-food executive he was prosecuting pushed officials in Washington to drop all charges against him, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

Details of the Firing

Adam Schleifer was terminated Friday morning, receiving an email informing him that the dismissal was “on behalf of President Donald J. Trump,” according to two of the sources, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals from federal officials. Joseph T. McNally, the acting U.S. attorney for the Central District of California who is Schleifer’s boss, was not involved in the decision, the sources said.

Reaction from Colleagues and Experts

Carley Palmer, a former federal prosecutor in Los Angeles who is now a partner at Halpern May Ybarra Gelberg LLP, said Schleifer was fired via a “one line e-mail, and it came from a White House staff account.” A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles declined to comment. Schleifer declined a request to be interviewed. The White House and the U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to inquiries.

The Case Against Andrew Wiederhorn

The sources who spoke to The Times suspected the firing was motivated, in part, by a case Schleifer was assigned involving Andrew Wiederhorn, former chief executive of the company that owns fast-food chains Fatburger and Johnny Rockets. Last May, a grand jury indicted Wiederhorn on charges that he hid taxable income from the federal government by dispersing “shareholder loans” from the company to himself and his family.

Allegations Against Wiederhorn

Wiederhorn allegedly used the funds for personal benefits, according to the indictment, including payments for private jet travel, vacations, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, other luxury automobiles, jewelry, and a piano. He has pleaded not guilty.

Defense Team’s Actions

Wiederhorn’s lawyers have aggressively pushed Justice Department officials to drop the case, according to two sources familiar with those conversations who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals. The defense team has attacked the legal theory of the case and alleged Schleifer was biased, the sources said.

Political Motivations

Schleifer is a registered Democrat who made several unflattering remarks about Trump when he ran for an open congressional seat in New York’s 17th District in 2020. Though U.S. attorneys are political appointees who often ally with the agenda of the current presidential administration, line prosecutors like Schleifer are normally considered career employees. But since taking office, the Trump administration has made a point to drive those seen as political enemies from all levels of the federal government.

Impact on the Justice Department

“This is the most overtly political firing I’ve seen in my time at the Department of Justice,” said Palmer, the former federal prosecutor. “I could absolutely see it having kind of a chilling effect. I also think current prosecutors are concerned about the ability to have free speech. An AUSA [assistant U.S. attorney] who I spoke to said they are concerned that the only people who will be allowed to stay are Republicans or very quiet Democrats.”

Conclusion

The firing of Adam Schleifer has sent shockwaves through the Justice Department, with many viewing it as a politically motivated move to protect allies of the President. The case against Andrew Wiederhorn and the actions of his defense team have raised questions about the influence of politics in the justice system. As the Trump administration continues to shape the Department of Justice, the implications of this firing will be closely watched. The potential chilling effect on prosecutors and the perceived politicization of the justice system are concerns that will need to be addressed to maintain public trust in the rule of law.

FAQs

1. Who was fired and why? Adam Schleifer, a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, was fired at the behest of the White House. The reasons behind his firing are suspected to be partly due to his involvement in a case against Andrew Wiederhorn, a fast-food executive with ties to President Trump.
2. What were the allegations against Andrew Wiederhorn? Wiederhorn was indicted on charges of hiding taxable income from the federal government by dispersing “shareholder loans” from his company to himself and his family for personal benefits.
3. How has the Justice Department been affected? The firing has raised concerns about political influence in the justice system and may have a chilling effect on prosecutors, particularly those who might pursue cases against individuals with connections to the President.
4. What are the implications of this firing? The implications include the potential politicization of the justice system, concerns about free speech among prosecutors, and the perceived protection of individuals with ties to the President from legal accountability.
5. What is the background of Adam Schleifer? Schleifer is a registered Democrat who previously ran for a congressional seat in New York and has been critical of President Trump. He started with the U.S. attorney’s office in 2016 and returned after his congressional bid.