Senior Justice Department Ethics Official Kendra Wharton to Depart in July

WASHINGTON, June 18 (Reuters) – Kendra Wharton, a prominent figure at the U.S. Justice Department, plans to leave her position in July, she confirmed to Reuters. Wharton serves as the department’s senior ethics official and took over the role earlier this year.

Wharton succeeded Bradley Weinsheimer, who was reassigned to the newly formed Sanctuary Cities Working Group in February. As the designated ethics official, Wharton played a vital role in advising department employees on conflicts of interest and reviewing disciplinary actions related to attorney misconduct.

A department spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment about Wharton’s departure. Sources indicate that she intends to return to private practice.

Before joining the Justice Department, Wharton was involved in defending former President Donald Trump against several legal challenges, including federal indictments and state charges related to his actions leading up to the 2020 election. Trump faced conviction on state charges but the federal cases were dropped following the election.

In her role at the Justice Department, Wharton also supervised various components, including the Bureau of Prisons and the Office of the Inspector General. A person familiar with the situation told Reuters that she has been commuting between Washington, D.C., and her home in Florida, where she cares for two young children.

Wharton plans to return to her law firm in September 2023, marking a significant career shift.

Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Scott Malone and David Gregorio