The Justice Department on Wednesday opened a civil rights investigation into Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano over allegations his office gave preferential treatment to illegal immigrants in criminal cases, intensifying scrutiny of one of Virginia’s most prominent progressive prosecutors.
In a letter sent Wednesday, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is examining whether Descano’s office violated federal law by considering “immigration consequences” when making charging decisions, plea agreements, and sentencing recommendations.
The inquiry will examine whether the office discriminated against U.S. citizens by “offering preferential treatment” to illegal immigrants charged with crimes, according to the department.
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“I have authorized a full investigation to determine whether the [Descano] has engaged in unlawful discrimination in violation of Title VI and the Safe Streets Act,” Dhillon wrote, referring to federal laws that prohibit recipients of federal funding from discriminating based on race, color, or national origin.
Descano, who has served as
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