The Justice Department seems to be cleaning house. The Justice Department has fired Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey and a federal prosecutor in Manhattan who worked on the cases against Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jeffrey Epstein, three people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
There was no specific reason given for her firing, according to one of the people. They spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters.
Maurene Comey is an American attorney and former federal prosecutor, widely known as the daughter of James Comey, the former FBI Director. Born in 1988, Maurene graduated from the College of William & Mary and earned her law degree from Harvard Law School. She began her legal career clerking for a federal judge and then worked at a major law firm before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) in 2014.
READ: UnitedHealth Group under criminal investigation by DOJ for Medicare fraud (May 15, 2025)
By 2016, she was serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, specializing in prosecuting violent and organized crime. Over nearly a decade, Comey played key roles in high-profile cases, including the prosecutions related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, both connected to sex trafficking. She also led the prosecution of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs on prostitution-related charges, gaining widespread recognition for her courtroom skills and dedication to justice.
Comey’s termination cited Article II of the U.S. Constitution but did not specify detailed reasons, sparking speculation given the political sensitivity surrounding some of her cases. Despite this setback, Comey’s career has been marked by professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to pursuing justice in complex and sensitive cases. Her work in the Southern District of New York, one of the most prestigious and demanding prosecutorial offices in the country, has earned her respect from colleagues and the legal community. Comey continues to be regarded as a talented legal professional with a strong dedication to public service.
Comey has been involved in several successful high-profile prosecutions during her tenure as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York. One of her most notable achievements was leading the prosecution of Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 on charges related to sex trafficking of minors and aiding Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse network. This landmark conviction was widely regarded as a major victory in the fight against human trafficking and abuse.
Comey also played a significant role in prosecuting Sean “Diddy” Combs, securing a conviction on prostitution-related charges in a case that attracted significant media attention due to the celebrity status of the defendant.
While Epstein died before trial, Comey was instrumental in building the prosecution’s case against him, contributing to the efforts to bring accountability to those involved in his criminal activities.
In addition to these cases, Comey successfully prosecuted numerous other complex cases involving violent crime and organized criminal enterprises, demonstrating her skill in handling difficult and high-stakes legal matters. Her track record of successful prosecutions has earned her respect within the legal community and highlighted her commitment to justice.