The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a civil rights investigation into the actions of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCOA) in Minnesota.
A letter from Attorney General Pam Bondy and Civil Rights Division Attorney General Hermeet Dillon, dated May 2, addressed Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. It indicated they are looking into whether her office has been involved in a pattern of practices that infringe on rights protected by the U.S. Constitution.
The investigation comes in light of Moriarty implementing a new “negotiation policy for cases involving adult defendants.”
This policy suggests that “racial identity… should be part of the overall analysis,” with a focus on identifying and addressing racial disparities as necessary, essentially asking prosecutors to consider race when crafting judicial offers.
According to various reports, including one from Breitbart, it seems there are some controversies surrounding Moriarty’s connections to funding from George Soros. This includes impacts on local governmental practices, like those within the City of Minneapolis.
Recently, Moriarty received criticism for not charging a 33-year-old Minnesota government employee who admitted to vandalizing six Tesla vehicles in March for politically motivated reasons.
Critics argue that the situation raises concerns about racial bias.
The DOJ letter, authored by acting assistant attorney general Chad Mizzell, highlights the investigation’s goal: to determine if HCAO is basing prosecutorial decisions on illegal racial considerations.
Mizzell’s letter also included a request for cooperation in the investigation: “Please do not assume any conclusions at this point. We appreciate your assistance in reviewing all relevant information.”
The investigation will be overseen by the Civil Rights Division’s special litigation section, and the DOJ will reach out to Moriarty regarding this matter.
Moriarty came into office during a time of significant progressive movements among district attorneys following the protests and unrest related to Black Lives Matter in Minneapolis, as noted by reports.
Like other prosecutors with support from Soros’s political action groups across the nation, Moriarty has faced considerable pushback over her handling of violent crimes, as critics have pointed out her preference for diversion programs over prison sentences.
Such lenient policies have prompted recall efforts and electoral challenges against others in Soros’s circle, including Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon.
