Exclusive details: Dena King resigns as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of NC
The news comes amid questions over unresolved cases.
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United States Attorney Dena King announced last week that she would step down from her position as the Department of Justice (DOJ) Western District’s (WDNC) chief law enforcement officer, effective on Feb. 12, 2025.
King, who made history as the first person of color to serve in the role, leaves behind a tenure marked by both significant achievements and lingering concerns over cases that were reportedly not pursued under her leadership.
She was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021 and oversaw a broad range of federal cases spanning 32 counties, including major drug trafficking operations, civil rights enforcement, and financial fraud investigations. She established the district’s first Civil Rights Team and prioritized prosecutions against human traffickers and fraudsters. However, her office also faced criticism for declining to take action on high-profile allegations of corruption, including cases involving nonprofits operating within her jurisdiction.
Concerns Over Unaddressed Fraud Allegations
Senior federal sources told Cops & Congress that multiple tips have been sent to the WDNC DOJ office but “several” were not pursued. According to sources familiar with the office, King outright refused to investigate or prosecute certain people and organizations, despite mounting evidence of alleged fraudulent activity and the alleged misuse of federal funds.
One nonprofit publicly known to have ties to King, the United Way of Rutherford County, which received millions of federal taxpayer dollars to provide vital services such as addiction recovery and reentry programs, has been the subject of ongoing scrutiny. Their team and King shared this photo on social media last year.
No known federal charges are pending against that organization or its staff members. Suzanne Porter, their Executive Director, had misdemeanor cyberstalking charges dismissed in January by Rutherford County District Attorney Ted Bell. Porter and the United Way of Rutherford County were recently named as defendants in a civil case.
King’s Legacy: A Mixed Record on Public Trust
During her time as U.S. Attorney, King reconstituted the district’s Health Care Fraud Task Force, recovered millions in fraud settlements, and worked to dismantle organized crime networks. Yet, some legal professionals and community leaders have raised concerns about selective enforcement. Notably, WDNC was not included in a recent announcement. The failure to act on allegations of public corruption, particularly involving taxpayer-funded grants, has led to questions about the priorities of her office.
Upon King’s departure, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence J. Cameron will now serves as Acting U.S. Attorney until a permanent successor is appointed. The transition raises important questions about how pending cases—including those that King declined to pursue—will be handled moving forward.
What This Means Under the Trump Administration
With President Donald Trump returning to office and Pam Bondi appointed as Attorney General, the Department of Justice is expected to undergo major shifts in its approach to law enforcement priorities. Bondi, a longtime Trump ally, has previously focused on high-profile fraud cases and efforts to curb public corruption, signaling a potential change in direction from King’s tenure. Cases that were previously ignored or deprioritized under King’s leadership may now face renewed scrutiny.
This transition raises significant questions about how pending cases—including those that King declined to pursue—will be handled moving forward. Bondi’s track record suggests a more aggressive stance on fraud and corruption, which could lead to reopened investigations and a reassessment of past prosecutorial decisions in the Western District of North Carolina.
NC-14 Congressman Tim Moore told me on Monday that the Trump administration and DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) are committed to reviewing all grant awardees and alleged criminal activity. “One of the things we're looking at is getting rid of waste, fraud, and abuse in any government spending. And we have programs, so many programs around the country, and billions of dollars that have had virtually no oversight for decades. And so we're trying to find a way to make sure that those funds are being spent properly at the federal level,” he said.
Opinion & Analysis: Cops & Congress Commentary
With King gone will federal prosecutors take a tougher stance?
King’s sudden resignation as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina raises critical questions—not just about her tenure, but about what wasn’t prosecuted under her leadership. King championed civil rights enforcement, cracked down on healthcare fraud, and pursued violent offenders, yet her office reportedly refused to take action on credible allegations of financial misconduct involving millions in taxpayer funds. If documented evidence of financial misconduct involving public funds isn't enough to warrant an investigation, then what is?
The Problem with Selective Prosecution
Federal prosecutors hold the immense power to decide which cases move forward and which are left to rot in an inbox or on a tip line. When a U.S. Attorney resigns, their record is often measured by the cases they prosecuted. But just as important—if not more so—are the cases they refused to touch. I don’t believe you can rule out the possibility that some came from orders from their boss (former AG Merrick Garland and former President Joe Biden).
Restoring Public Trust under President Donald Trump
The integrity of federal law enforcement depends on even-handed prosecution. If the public sees that certain cases are ignored while others are aggressively pursued, faith in the system erodes.
President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and his allies say that the Justice Department under the Biden administration had become weaponized against conservatives including that the prosecutions against Trump were launched for a partisan purpose.
Under Acting U.S. Attorney Lawrence Cameron the next steps are crucial. What cases will his office investigate and prosecute? Will certain cases be quietly swept under the rug? The people of Western North Carolina deserve accountability—not silence. I’ll be watching closely, stay tuned for updates.
🏛️ All those mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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