Maurene Comey

Background

Maurene Comey is an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York. She is the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, who was fired by President Trump in 2017.

Maxwell Trial Role

Comey was one of the lead trial prosecutors at the United States v. Ghislaine Maxwell trial in November-December 2021. She delivered key portions of the government’s case, including examination of witnesses and arguments.

The SDNY prosecution team, of which Comey was a prominent member, secured a conviction on five of six counts against Maxwell on December 29, 2021. The case was notable for requiring the government to prove Maxwell’s culpability in crimes where the principal co-conspirator (Epstein) was no longer available for prosecution.

Professional Context

Comey’s role in the Maxwell prosecution was significant both professionally and symbolically the case represented the most significant prosecution of an Epstein associate, and successful convictions required extensive preparation and a compelling presentation of sometimes difficult evidence about exploitation of minors.

Her father James Comey’s connection to the broader Epstein story (the FBI’s 2019 federal investigation built on years of accumulated evidence) added a family dimension to the accountability story.