Damian Williams Steps Down as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York

On Monday, Damian Williams announced his resignation from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. He will step down at 11:59 PM on December 13, 2024. Following Williams' departure, Deputy U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim will assume the role of Acting U.S. Attorney.

Williams expressed mixed feelings about his resignation, highlighting the office's accomplishments and integrity during his tenure. He appreciated the dedication of his colleagues and acknowledged the support he received from President Biden and Attorney General Garland. Williams described his tenure as a privilege and praised his team for their commitment to justice.

Under Williams' leadership, the office successfully prosecuted high-profile financial crimes. In particular, convictions were secured in cases involving former billionaire financiers accused of fraud. Notably, the case of former crypto executive Sam Bankman-Fried, who was found guilty last November of stealing approximately $8 billion from FTX currency customers, was among these convictions. Additionally, Sung Kook "Bill" Hwang, the founder of Archegos Capital Management, was convicted in July of stock manipulation that caused significant losses for Wall Street banks. Both Bankman-Fried and Hwang have denied the charges against them.

Williams' resignation announcement follows the earlier declaration by former President Trump of his intention to nominate former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton to lead the office. This nomination is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Williams leaves behind a legacy of high-profile legal victories and a commitment to maintaining the office's standards. His departure marks the end of his tenure as the region's chief federal law enforcement officer and signifies the beginning of a new era for the Southern District of New York under Edward Y. Kim's leadership.