The Department of Justice announced Wednesday that it had opened an investigation into a northern Virginia prosecutor over what it alleged were “sweetheart deals” he cut for immigrants accused of serious crimes.
The probe’s target is Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, who denied any wrongdoing in a post on X shortly after the DOJ’s announcement.
“Today, I received notice of a Department of Justice investigation into my office regarding one of our policies. My policies are fair, legal, and reflect the values of my community,” Descano wrote.
It remains unclear which cases in particular the DOJ is probing. Neither Descano nor the DOJ responded to a request for further information.
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Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, who is leading the investigation, celebrated the move in a press release.
“Under my leadership, the Civil Rights Division will not allow local prosecutors to pick and choose winners based on their immigration status,” Dhillon said, though the release added that the department “has not reached any conclusions regarding allegations in these matters.”
The investigation into Descano is the second major Justice Department probe into a Virginia government official that became public Wednesday. Just hours earlier, the FBI raided Democratic state Sen. Louise Lucas’ office and businesses as part of a probe that a Trump administration official told NOTUS had begun during the Biden administration.
Descano has survived two recall bids since assuming office in 2020, and his personal website touts previous efforts “prosecuting embezzlement and extortion cases against perpetrators that preyed on immigrant populations and people with intellectual disabilities.”
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