The Justice Department has once again made headlines by dropping felony charges against a client of Brad Bondi, the brother of current Attorney General Pam Bondi. This dismissal, announced this week, involves property developer Sid Chakraverty, who was facing accusations of wire fraud linked to falsely claiming to hire women- and minority-owned subcontractors to secure tax incentives. This case withdrawal comes shortly after a similar dismissal in Florida, where another client of Brad Bondi was freed from charges of government property theft related to alleged COVID relief fraud.
The decision to drop the indictment was finalized by Thomas Albus, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, appointed during the Trump administration. Albus cited a broader move away from cases associated with race- and sex-based programs like the disadvantaged business enterprise initiative in St. Louis. He noted that the defendants had agreed to make restitution for the taxes involved, deeming the end of the prosecution as a prudent step for the government.
The case against Chakraverty was advancing under the Biden administration until recently, with career prosecutors pushing for criminal penalties. Brad Bondi's involvement in Chakraverty's defense officially began in July 2025, although he was reportedly active before the 2024 elections. The defense's successful motion to dismiss was followed by the suspension of the policy underlying the charges by the City of St. Louis, adding another layer to the case's resolution.
Brad Bondi's legal triumphs have sparked a debate on whether his relationship with the Attorney General could be influencing these legal outcomes, generating an appearance of a conflict of interest. Despite these concerns, the Justice Department maintains that AG Bondi played no role in the decision-making process, and actions were taken through appropriate channels.
This recent turn of events raises questions about the integrity of the legal system and the influence of personal connections within the highest levels of law enforcement. The Justice Department's spokesperson's statement to ABC News attempted to quell concerns, but the pattern of cases involving Bondi's brother being dropped has undoubtedly attracted attention and scrutiny. The story, first reported by ABC News and shared on Twitter, underscores the delicate balance between legal advocacy, governmental ethics, and public perception.
