The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced Feb. 18 the departure of Roger Handberg as U.S. attorney.
Asked whether Handberg is retiring, Middle District spokesman William Daniels responded, “The U.S. Attorney serves at the pleasure of the President.”
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Sweeney is the acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida.
“During my more than three years as United States Attorney, I made it a priority to engage with the community, to hear directly from the people that my office served to learn about their priorities and what is important to them, and to let them know about the great work that is being done by law enforcement,” Handberg said in a news release.
Handberg was appointed by President Biden in 2021.
On Feb. 18, President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social that he had “instructed the termination of ALL remaining ‘Biden Era’ U.S. Attorneys.”
“We must ‘clean house’ IMMEDIATELY, and restore confidence,” Trump added. “America’s Golden Age must have a fair Justice System - THAT BEGINS TODAY!"
Handberg was a career federal prosecutor. He joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2002 and served in various senior positions within the office, including as Criminal Chief (North), Chief of the Orlando Division and Senior Litigation Counsel.
During his career with the office, Handberg specialized in the investigation and prosecution of public corruption and white-collar crime cases. As part of his practice, he successfully prosecuted more than $500 million in fraud cases and under his leadership, the U.S. Attorney’s Office increased its number of criminal cases filed by more than 60% over the past three fiscal years, the release said.
“I have worked with incredible public servants at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Through our work with the excellent local, state, and federal law enforcement partners who serve this District and our country, we have prosecuted and litigated cases that have served to protect the public, to reduce crime, to do justice for victims and the community, and to hold accountable those who have violated the law. I am grateful for my colleagues at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and for our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment and for everything that they do, day in and day out, to keep everyone in the Middle District of Florida and the United States safe,” Handberg said.