US prosecutor behind Epstein, Maxwell convictions sues after abrupt firing

Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor known for her work on high-profile cases including those against Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Sean “Diddy” Combs, filed a lawsuit on Monday challenging her sudden termination. The lawsuit alleges her dismissal was politically motivated retaliation aimed at her father, former FBI Director James Comey.

According to court documents, the Department of Justice (DOJ) terminated Comey on July 16 without providing cause or explanation, citing only “article 2 of the United States Constitution and the laws of the United States” in a brief email.

When she requested further details, interim US Attorney Jay Clayton reportedly told her, “All I can say is it came from Washington. I can’t tell you anything else.”

The lawsuit notes that Comey, 35, had received a glowing performance review from Clayton just three months prior to her dismissal. She is now seeking reinstatement, back pay, and a judicial declaration that her firing violated constitutional protections.

The complaint links her termination to a pressure campaign by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who has openly targeted Comey’s father and wielded influence in Trump-era personnel decisions. In May, Loomer tweeted to her 1.7 million followers, urging the DOJ to remove “James Comey’s liberal daughter,” adding, “Both Maurene Comey and Lucas Issacharoff need to be FIRED from the DOJ immediately.”

Following Comey’s termination, Loomer celebrated online, “This comes 2 months after my pressure campaign on Pam Blondi to fire Comey’s daughter.”

The lawsuit argues that the firing was a direct attempt to retaliate against James Comey, who has faced repeated attacks from President Trump, including being labeled the “worst” FBI director in history. Tensions heightened in May after the elder Comey posted a cryptic image of seashells arranged to spell “8647,” which Trump reportedly interpreted as a threat.

Maurene Comey has handled numerous high-profile prosecutions, including Maxwell’s conviction for sex trafficking, the prosecution of gynecologist Robert Hadden for sexual abuse, and most recently, leading the team that secured a conviction against Sean “Diddy” Combs.

While the Trump administration has maintained that Article 2 grants the president broad authority to remove career prosecutors, the federal lawsuit contends that such unchecked power undermines the constitutional separation of powers and violates federal service protections.

In a farewell email to colleagues, Comey wrote, “If a career prosecutor can be fired without reason, fear may seep into the decision of those who remain. Do not let that happen.”