Justice Dept hits Soros-backed Minneapolis prosecutor with civil rights probe

The Justice Department has initiated a civil rights investigation into the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis, specifically targeting the new directive that requires prosecutors to consider race when negotiating plea deals with criminal defendants. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Acting Associate Attorney General Chad Mizelle, and Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon have informed Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty of this probe.

The investigation stems from Moriarty’s recently implemented “Negotiations Policy for Cases Involving Adult Defendants,” which advises prosecutors to take into account the racial identity of defendants when formulating plea offers. The Justice Department’s letter to Moriarty, dated May 2, expressed concerns about the potential illegal consideration of race in prosecutorial decision-making and highlighted the need to review all relevant policies and practices of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

Dhillon has authorized a full investigation to determine if there is a pattern or practice of depriving individuals of their constitutional rights or protections. The investigation will be conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Sections, and Moriarty is expected to cooperate in providing relevant information for the inquiry.

Moriarty, who was elected as Hennepin County Attorney in 2023, has faced criticism for her decision-making since taking office. Despite promises to hold police accountable and deliver significant changes following the death of George Floyd, Moriarty has been accused of seeking lighter sentences for violent crimes and diverting individuals to programs instead of jail.

One of the most notable incidents that sparked backlash was Moriarty’s handling of a case involving a White state trooper charged with the killing of a Black man. After initially filing charges, Moriarty later dropped them, leading to condemnation from various groups, including the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association.

Furthermore, Moriarty has also come under fire for her failure to charge a Walz staffer accused of vandalizing Tesla vehicles, a crime that has been labeled as “domestic terrorism” by the Trump administration. This incident has drawn criticism from Republicans in Minnesota and raised questions about Moriarty’s decision-making process.

It remains to be seen how the civil rights investigation will unfold and what implications it may have for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The outcome of this probe could have significant implications for how race is considered in prosecutorial decision-making and the overall administration of justice in the Minneapolis area.