The federal prosecutor who oversaw the case against President
Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen will step down from his role.
Robert Khuzami, the Deputy US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, will be leaving on April 12, officials said on Friday.
According to US Attorney Geoffrey Berman, the move is strictly for personal reasons and not related to politics.
The office will continue its investigation into several of Trump's closest friends and business partners even as Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election comes to an end.
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Robert Khuzami (pictured, August 2018), the Deputy US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who oversaw the case against Michael Cohen, is leaving the office. His last day is April 12
'Rob Khuzami is an extraordinary and brilliant lawyer who has upheld the ideals of integrity and professionalism that characterize the work of this office,' Berman said in a statement.
He added that Khuzami, whose family lives in Washington, DC, had been commuting weekly since his appointment in January 2018.
'While his desire to continue to serve remains strong, he understandably has decided to return home to his family,' the statement continued.
During his 15-month tenure, Khuzami oversaw several cases, but perhaps the most high-profile was that of Cohen. Khuzami took over after Berman recused himself from the case for unknown reasons.
Last year, Cohen pleaded guilty to several federal crimes including campaign finance violations and lying to Congress. He was sentenced to three years in prison, which begins in May.
Despite going after Trump's inner circle, Khuzami avoided the wrath that Trump has directed against other investigators, like Mueller.
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Khuzami took over the case against Cohen (pictured, March 2019) after Berman recused himself. Cohen pleaded guilty to crimes including campaign finance violations and lying to Congress, and was sentenced to three years in prison
Khuzami did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Berman and Khuzami worked together as assistant US attorneys in Manhattan in the early 1990s.
Khuzami worked at the prosecutor's office until 2002, rising to lead the office's Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force.
He went on to work for Deutsche Bank AG from 2002 until early 2009, when he left and moved to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Khuzami left the agency in January 2013 and later that year joined the law firm of Kirkland & Ellis, where he remained until he joined the US Attorney's office.
He will be replaced by Audrey Strauss, who has been serving as senior counsel to the US Attorney, the office said.
Strauss previously worked as a prosecutor in the office from 1976 to 1983, before a career in private practice, including stints at law firms and as chief legal officer for Alcoa Inc.
In turn, Strauss will be replaced by Craig Stewart, who is leaving his role as a partner at the law firm of Arnold & Porter focusing on white collar defense, corporate internal investigations and criminal appeals, according to the office.
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