Judge orders DOJ to pay former SDNY prosecutor $157,000

A federal court in Manhattan ruled Monday that the Department of Justice fired New York federal prosecutor Maurene Comey without legal justification. Judge Jesse Furman issued the decision, which invalidates the July 16, 2025, termination of the attorney.

Furman ordered the department to provide retroactive reinstatement and back pay for Comey. The payment covers the period from her dismissal until December 20, 2025, when the judge determined she accepted another position. The total back pay award stands at $157,000.

The ruling rejects the government's claim that the attorney general can dismiss a career prosecutor at will. Furman found that the Civil Service Reform Act required the DOJ to provide Comey with advance written notice and a reasonable time to respond. The department admitted in the case file that it did not afford these procedural protections.

The judge noted that Comey’s supervisors and peers had consistently praised her work before her departure. Furman quoted internal reviews describing her as a brilliant lawyer and a gifted supervisor. He stated that the DOJ’s argument for her removal bordered on frivolous given her strong performance record.

Comey’s attorneys called the decision a victory for civil servants and the rule of law. They stated that the ruling reaffirms that the President is not above the law. The lawsuit alleged that the firing stemmed from President Donald Trump’s personal animus toward Comey’s father, former FBI Director James Comey.

James Comey is currently under federal indictment for allegedly threatening the president’s life via an Instagram post. His attorneys are seeking to dismiss that case. Maurene Comey had previously worked on high-profile prosecutions, including those against Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Sean Combs.

The DOJ stated it disagrees with the decision and plans to appeal once Furman issues a final judgment. The White House referred to a DOJ post on X claiming the ruling obstructs the president’s constitutional authority. Furman reserved judgment on Comey’s First Amendment claim, giving her until November 9 to file arguments.