Investigation Targeting Ex-Biden Administration Prosecutor
A former senior federal prosecutor who worked in the Biden administration is under investigation. The Justice Department is looking into whether she misled federal agents regarding her role in an earlier investigation. This information has been learned by Fox News Digital.
Background on Jina Choi and IRL
Jina Choi joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California in late 2023. Shortly after her hiring, Biden-appointed U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey appointed her to lead its Corporate and Securities Fraud Section. This section is responsible for handling major corporate and securities cases across the Bay Area, including Silicon Valley.
Before joining the office, Choi represented IRL, a social-media startup co-founded by Abraham Shafi. The company focused on organizing and connecting people through events. IRL ceased operations in 2023 following a board-directed investigation concluding that 95% of its users were likely bots— a finding disputed by Shafi. By 2025, Shafi was indicted on federal fraud and obstruction charges.
The Investigation Referral
The referral presents a rare challenge to a former prosecutor’s conduct in the broader affair. According to Cully Stimson, acting director of the Heritage Foundation’s Legal Policy Center, resorting to a criminal investigation referral is not common.
The referral, sent by a lawyer Shafi hired independently from his defense, is based on whether Choi remained involved in the investigation concerning IRL after being screened from it due to her previous representation of the company. Generally, the Justice Department is not obliged to respond to such referrals. Prosecutors assert Choi was isolated from the federal investigation involving IRL and Shafi. However, Shafi’s lawyer claims that internal communications and FBI interview reports show her continued involvement, allegedly understated to federal agents.
Choi’s Alleged Involvement
While Choi’s communications are included in public court filings, the original email exhibits are filed under seal, preventing public inspection. Shafi’s defense claims that documents they obtained depict a different narrative of Choi’s activities. Prosecutors argue that Choi was excluded from the investigation due to her previous relationship with IRL.
According to Shafi’s lawyer, internal emails and FBI interview memoranda contradict Choi’s account to federal agents. The government denies the characterization that Choi tried to have authorities target Shafi to protect other stakeholders, acknowledging only her advocacy that the firm not be targeted.
Potential Consequences
Shafi was charged with wire fraud, securities fraud, and obstruction after Choi left the U.S. Attorney’s Office. These charges are based on allegations that he misled investors about user growth on his platform, misleading about organic growth and raising about $170 million from investors. Additionally, he allegedly misused investor funds for personal expenses.
The defense aims to prove Choi’s misconduct to potentially disrupt their client’s prosecution. Former prosecutor Stimson warns that if true, these allegations could conflict the entire U.S. Attorney’s Office involved in the case. He notes that while U.S. Attorneys’ Offices operate independently, Choi’s alleged conduct should not be attributed to the Biden administration as a whole.
As of now, no charges or professional discipline have been filed against Choi in connection with her involvement in Shafi’s prosecution.