Phillip A. Talbert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, announced his resignation after a 31-year Justice Department career. (GV Wire File)
- Phillip Talbert resigns as U.S. Attorney for Eastern California, leaving a legacy of high-profile prosecutions and civil rights initiatives.
- Michele Beckwith, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, will serve as Acting U.S. Attorney following Talbert’s departure on Jan. 11, 2025.
- Talbert’s tenure included Bitwise fraud convictions, MS-13 cases, and a $117M PG&E settlement for Camp Fire damages.
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Phillip A. Talbert, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, announced his resignation effective midnight on Sunday, the DOJ announced in a news release.
Talbert, who has held the Presidentially appointed position for two and a half years, described his tenure as “the honor of my lifetime.”
In a statement, Talbert thanked President Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein for their support.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside the talented attorneys and staff of this office as well as with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to protect the over 8 million residents who live in our district, to seek justice on behalf of victims, to safeguard civil rights, and to uphold the rule of law,” he said.
Talbert, 62, told The Sacramento Bee that he was leaving to make way for a new U.S. Attorney yet to be named by President-elect Donald Trump.
Talbert’s 31-Year Career
Talbert’s 31-year career with the Department of Justice included multiple leadership roles within the Eastern District, which covers 34 counties with offices in Sacramento, Fresno, and Bakersfield.
Notable cases included the conviction of Bitwise Industries’ co-founders for a $115 million fraud, high-profile violent crime prosecutions involving MS-13 and the Aryan Brotherhood, and environmental enforcement actions such as a $117 million settlement with PG&E for the Camp Fire.
Talbert also prioritized civil rights, launching initiatives like the Fresno Area Hate Crimes Task Force and a federal investigation into alleged sexual abuse at California’s largest women’s prison. He expanded outreach efforts, including starting the Sacramento Region Diversity Career Fair.
Michele Beckwith Elevated to Acting US Attorney
Following Talbert’s departure, Michele M. Beckwith, the current First Assistant U.S. Attorney, will assume the role of Acting U.S. Attorney under the Vacancies Reform Act.
Beckwith previously served as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney and Criminal Chief.
“I am confident the office will continue to perform at a high level of excellence and will continue to demonstrate its commitment to pursuing justice in a fair, ethical, and nonpartisan manner, with a clear understanding of the need to maintain the public’s confidence and trust,” Talbert said.
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