Sept. 20 (UPI) — The acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Erik Siebert, was removed from his position after declining to pursue criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James regarding alleged mortgage loan fraud.
Siebert announced his resignation to staff on Friday, though former President Donald trump stated he was fired. Siebert had been nominated for the position adn was awaiting Senate confirmation.
On Saturday, attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Mary “Maggie” Cleary, an attorney with republican ties, as acting U.S. attorney for the division, according to an internal email obtained by Politico and The Washington Post.
Cleary recently rejoined the Department of Justice (DOJ) as a senior counsel in the criminal division in Washington, D.C., following previous work in the Culpeper commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and Virginia state agencies.
She was briefly placed on administrative leave within the DOJ’s Virginia Western District after being present on Capitol grounds during the January 6, 2021, riot. Cleary maintained she was “framed” and was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
“This evening, I submitted my resignation as interim US attorney for EDVA,” Siebert’s email, obtained by ABC News, read.”For the last eight months, I have had the pleasure of leading the finest and most extraordinary of DOJ employees, who care deeply about our nation and our EDVA community.Thank you for the lessons you have taught me, the sacrifices you have made, and the pursuit of justice you strive for every day.”
On Saturday, Trump posted on X, stating he “withdrew the Nomination of Erik Siebert as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, when I was informed that he received the UNUSUALLY STRONG support of the two absolutely terrible, sleazebag Democrat Senators, from the Grate State of Virginia. He didn’t quit, I fired him! Next time let him go in as a Democrat, not a Republican.”
He was referring to Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner.
In a joint statement,Kaine and Warner said Siebert’s removal stemmed from his office’s inability to find evidence of mortgage fraud against James,emphasizing the bipartisan support for his nomination.
“In April, after an extensive interview process that included input from a bipartisan panel of former virginia U.S. attorneys and other respected members of the Virginia legal community, Warner and Kaine sent a letter to the White House recommending Siebert for the U.S. attorney position,” they wrote. “In May, the White house announced that Siebert was formally nominated for the role,” Warner and Kaine said.
Traditionally, both senators from a nominee’s state receive a “blue slip” allowing them to express their support or opposition.