Shamiso Maswoswe, a bureau chief in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office, who is accused of directing a prosecutor to target individuals and groups affiliated with former President Donald Trump, previously sued the Department of Justice for discrimination and received a $795,000 settlement.
Maswoswe filed her lawsuit in 2021, claiming the Trump administration unfairly fired her in December 2017 based on her race and sex, and because she needed to care for her premature baby. The settlement was finalized in April 2023, during the Biden administration.
Maswoswe joined James’ office in February 2022. The allegations against her surfaced when a prosecutor in her office, Matthew Wiesenfeld, reportedly claimed in an email that Maswoswe instructed him to target Trump and his allies. Wiesenfeld has been placed on paid administrative leave.
The attorney general’s office has called the situation a "personnel matter" and stated its commitment to protecting New Yorkers regardless of political beliefs, rejecting any assertions to the contrary.
Trump and James have a history of public animosity. James, during her 2018 campaign, vowed to "prosecute the president for crimes committed in New York state." In 2024, James' office was involved in a civil case that resulted in a $360 million judgment against Trump, his sons, and his company for overstating property values, though the financial payout was later modified on appeal. Trump has pointed to this case as an example of James using her office to target him.
According to court documents from her discrimination suit, Maswoswe was hired by the DOJ in January 2016. Her child was born premature in November 2016, and she stated that doctors advised her to ensure the child received breast milk. Maswoswe maintained that caring for her child did not interfere with her work responsibilities, which included successful high-profile court victories.