Federal investigators conducted an interview with a whistleblower from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office on Tuesday, following allegations that staff were directed to pursue cases against Donald Trump and affiliated entities without credible justification.
Assistant Attorney General Daniel Wiesenfeld, who has been placed on paid administrative leave, met with FBI and Justice Department attorneys for several hours, according to a source familiar with the matter. The scope of the federal interest and whether a formal investigation has been opened remains unclear.
Wiesenfeld’s allegations stem from an office-wide email he sent Friday to over 2,000 employees, obtained by the Times Union. In the email, he claimed Shamiso Maswoswe, chief of the Investor Protection Bureau, instructed him to “find and pursue crimes committed by specific individuals and organizations affiliated with Donald Trump,” including Trump himself, Truth Social, and Hewlett Packard.
He argued that the potential targets lacked credible reasons for investigation, stating, “If you believe Trump is using the [Department of Justice] attorneys to prosecute his enemies and further his political interests, you should find it equally troubling that Tish [James] is doing exactly the same thing.”
The email was reportedly deleted from the attorney general’s servers and removed from employees’ inboxes shortly after it was sent. James’ general counsel, Kumiki Gibson, later informed staff that the situation was an internal matter and no employees were in danger.
James’ office confirmed Wiesenfeld’s administrative leave but did not address the substance of his allegations. A spokesperson for the attorney general declined to comment further.
Background and Context
Wiesenfeld’s email follows broader scrutiny of the New York Attorney General’s office, which has pursued multiple cases against Trump and his business entities. In 2023, James filed a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump, alleging financial misconduct in his business dealings. Trump has denied wrongdoing and called the lawsuit politically motivated.
Maswoswe, who oversaw Wiesenfeld’s bureau, previously worked in the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section from 2016 to 2017 under Trump’s first term. In 2021, she filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Justice Department, alleging she was terminated unfairly due to her race, pregnancy, and caregiving responsibilities.
Federal Involvement and Next Steps
The FBI and Justice Department’s interview with Wiesenfeld indicates potential federal interest in the allegations, though no formal investigation has been confirmed. Legal experts note that whistleblower claims of politically motivated prosecutions could prompt further review, particularly if they align with broader concerns about selective enforcement.
Wiesenfeld’s email urged colleagues to focus on prosecuting actual crimes rather than targeting individuals based on political affiliation. His claims have not been independently verified, and James’ office has not provided a detailed response beyond characterizing the matter as an internal personnel issue.