U.S. Attorney Breon Peace to resign before Trump inauguration

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Breon Peace, the U.S. Attorney for New York’s Eastern District, is resigning from office on Jan. 10, officials said Wednesday.

Appointed by President Joe Biden, Peace has served in the position since Oct. 15, 2021. Peace will leave office before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Pokorny will become acting U.S. attorney for the district after Peace’ resigns.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as United States attorney, to be at the forefront in protecting the over eight million residents of this great district from harm, in upholding the rule of law and promoting civil rights and dignity for all people,” Peace said in a press release about his resignation.

“As United States Attorney, I have had the singularly rewarding experience of being called to public service and leadership in a district that is filled with people of different backgrounds and life experiences – yet share a common bond of humanity. Throughout my tenure I have also had the good fortune to work with some of the most talented prosecutors and staff to be found anywhere in the country and this district and our nation are the better for their skill, sacrifice and service,” Peace said.

“As I leave the office, I will always be grateful for the extraordinary work we have done together in furthering our mission, doing the right thing always and in achieving justice with honor and integrity. And, I look forward to the office’s continued courageous commitment to pursuing justice, fairly and ethically, without bias, without fear or favor, and with compassion and empathy for our fellow human beings,” Peace said.

Under Peace’s leadership, the U.S. Attorney’s office prosecuted George Santos, the former U.S. congressman, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Noteworthy convictions include that of David Gentile, of Manhasset, and owner and CEO of GPB Capital Holdings and, Jeffry Schneider, the owner and CEO of Ascendant Capital; they were convicted in a $1 billion fraud scheme earlier this year.

Pokorny has served as first assistant U.S. attorney since January 2022. She previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the office from 1999 to 2014, serving in the Criminal Division and other areas.  During her prior tenure in the U.S. attorney’s office, she held many supervisory roles.  In 2015, she was tapped by then Attorney General Loretta Lynch to serve as her deputy chief of staff and counselor.  From 2017 to 2021, she held leadership roles in New York State government, most recently serving as the inspector general for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Pokorny is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School.