Damian Williams, Manhattan's top federal prosecutor, to resign ahead of Trump inauguration

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Yahoo! News/Reuters

Updated Mon, November 25, 2024 at 1:11 PM EST


NEW YORK (Reuters) -Damian Williams, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, said on Monday he planned to resign on Dec. 13, about a month before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated. Edward Kim, who is currently serving as Williams' deputy, will take over on an acting basis as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Williams' office has an unusual degree of independence from the Justice Department and is known for bringing high-profile financial fraud and public corruption cases. Trump, a Republican, earlier this month said he would nominate former Securities and Exchange Commission chair Jay Clayton to lead the office. The position requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate. During his tenure, Williams secured convictions of former billionaire financiers on fraud charges - which he has long indicated was a top priority.

One-time cryptocurrency executive Sam Bankman-Fried was found guilty last November on charges of stealing about $8 billion from customers of his FTX exchange, and Archegos Capital Management founder Sung Kook "Bill" Hwang was convicted in July of manipulating stock markets, costing Wall Street banks billions. Bankman-Fried and Hwang both deny wrongdoing.

"I am confident I am leaving at a time when the office is functioning at an incredibly high level – upholding and exceeding its already high standard of excellence, integrity, and independence," Williams said in a statement.


Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/manhattans-top-federal-prosecutor-resign-164008999.html

[elleng]

1. Interesting.

[Igel]

2. He probably had a job offer

and didn't feel like staying around until he was expected to resign, as is standard practice for federal prosecutors/DAs.

Better resign voluntarily than wait for the request for your resignation, and dismissal if you fight that.