Carpenito to resign January 5

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said today that he would resign at 11:59 PM on January 5, opening the door for President-elect Joe Biden to name a new federal prosecutor.

“Serving as the United States Attorney has been the greatest professional honor of my lifetime. It’s a dream for any line AUSA to eventually lead the office that they love,” Carpenito said.  “Over the past three years, we have been through a lot – the longest shutdown in government history, a global pandemic, and two tragic acts of violent extremism that led to the loss of precious lives. Through it all, we protected the great traditions of this office, the Department of Justice and the state that we all love and serve. For that, I am forever grateful.”

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig will take over for Carpenito on an acting basis.

“Throughout my tenure, Rachael has been my partner and principal advisor on everything that I do,” Carpenito said. “I am extremely proud and honored that she will be the Acting U.S. Attorney when I leave. The office and its legacy could not be in better hands.”

Carpenito had an unusual path to serve as federal prosecutor.

He was appointed by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions and was voted into the post by the judges of the U.S. District Court in New Jersey in April 2018.