Lawsuit Filed by Ex-Justice Department Officials Against Attorney General Pam Bondi
In a surprising turn of events, three former U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) officials, including Michael Gordon, have filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Pam Bondi. The lawsuit alleges unlawful termination for being assigned to Trump-related investigations.
Gordon, one of the plaintiffs, was handling January 6 cases and was fired last month while examining claims against a Florida man accused of committing large-scale fraud against people with disabilities. The fraud investigation into Leo Joseph Govoni, accused of embezzling over $100 million intended for people with special needs, remains active following Gordon's dismissal.
Govoni was indicted in June 2025 on multiple charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, bank fraud, illegal monetary transactions, and false bankruptcy declaration. Despite Gordon's dismissal and his description of the scheme as "unsophisticated but labyrinthine," prosecutors continue to pursue the case and may seek to indict additional conspirators connected to Govoni's network.
Govoni's arraignment is scheduled, and he has pleaded not guilty; his bid for pretrial release was denied as of mid-July 2025. Prosecutors have outlined a complex web involving more than 120 limited liability companies through which the stolen funds flowed, and they plan to seize properties bought with misappropriated money, including assets connected to family and business associates—none of whom have been charged yet.
The victims of Govoni's alleged fraud number in the thousands. Each victim has a painful and personal story related to the fraud. They rely on these trust funds for medical care and living expenses, and the potential delays caused by personnel changes have raised concerns. The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to handle the prosecution, but no public details have emerged on who replaced Gordon or changes in investigative leadership.
Gordon claims that he and his colleagues have suffered adverse and harmful effects, including lost or jeopardized present or future financial opportunities. Some left-leaning politicians believe the firings were not only frivolous but could pose an immediate threat to the public. Rep. Kathy Castor has asked the Justice Department to rehire Michael Gordon to ensure the ongoing fraud investigation into Leo Gavoni remains unhindered.
The lawsuit alleges that the dismissals of Gordon, Patricia A. Hartman, and Joseph W. Tirrrell violated federal law, the U.S. Constitution, and protections meant to shield civil servants from political retaliation. Gordon speculates that he, Hartman, and Tirrell were likely fired for working on January 6-related cases, suggesting a connection between their job losses and the prosecution of individuals the administration allegedly wanted protected.
This lawsuit and the ongoing fraud investigation serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding justice and protecting the rights of civil servants to perform their duties without fear of political repercussions. The case remains under the Middle District of Florida's jurisdiction, with no indication the case has stalled after Gordon's departure.
- The lawsuit filed by three former DOJ officials, including Michael Gordon, against Attorney General Pam Bondi, raises concerns about policy-and-legislation regarding the protection of civil servants from political retaliation during war-and-conflicts, such as investigations into January 6 cases.
- This general-news story highlights the ongoing fraud investigation into Leo Joseph Govoni, who is accused of embezzling millions from trust funds intended for people with special needs, and the potential implications of politics in the dismissal of the investigators handling the case, which has been linked to policy-and-legislation surrounding the protection of civil servants and the integrity of legislation and investigations.
