Hagan Scotten

Hagan Scotten: A Profile of the Former U.S. Prosecutor Hagan Scotten, an American attorney, gained national attention as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. His tenure was marked by high-profile corruption cases until his resignation in February 2025. Early Life, Military Service, and Education Born on Long Island, New York, Scotten served in the U.S. Army for nine years, including three combat tours in Iraq as a captain in the Special Forces. His leadership in the Fifth Special Forces Group earned him two Bronze Star Medals. After his honorable discharge in 2007, he pursued a legal career. Scotten graduated from Harvard Law School in 2010, earning the prestigious Fay Diploma as valedictorian. At Harvard, he was an editor for the Harvard Law Review and was recognized as the best oralist in the Ames Moot Court Competition in 2009. Legal Career and Government Service After law school, Scotten clerked for Judge Brett Kavanaugh on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and later for Chief Justice John Roberts at the U.S. Supreme Court. He then worked in private practice at Hogan Lovells before transitioning to public service. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Scotten prosecuted corruption cases, securing a significant fraud conviction against Lamor Whitehead in 2024. His work led to an investigation into New York City Mayor Eric Adams, resulting in a September 2024 indictment for conspiracy, wire fraud, and bribery. Resignation Over DOJ Controversy In February 2025, the Department of Justice, under Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, ordered the dismissal of charges against Adams. When interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon refused and resigned in protest, Scotten followed suit, condemning what he saw as political interference. His resignation letter made headlines, stating: "Any assistant U.S. attorney would know that our laws and traditions do not allow using prosecutorial power to influence other citizens, much less elected officials. If no lawyer within earshot of the President is willing to give him that advice, then I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion. But it was never going to be me." Political Views and Legacy The New York Times described Scotten as a "conservative Republican." His resignation added to the growing concerns about political interference in the justice system and cemented his reputation as a prosecutor who prioritized legal integrity over politics.