Jina Choi, a former senior federal prosecutor who served in the Biden administration, is under scrutiny. A criminal investigation referral has been sent to the Justice Department to look into whether she misled federal agents about her involvement in an investigation. Choi joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California in late 2023. Soon after, U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey appointed her to lead its Corporate and Securities Fraud Section.
Before her tenure at the office, Choi represented IRL, a social-media startup co-founded by Abraham Shafi. IRL aimed to connect users through events. However, the company ceased operations in 2023 after a board investigation suggested that most of its users were bots, a claim contested by Shafi. By 2025, Shafi faced charges of federal fraud and obstruction.
Choi was walled off from the investigation involving IRL due to her previous representation of the company. Prosecutors maintain she did not participate in related activities. However, Shafi’s lawyer asserts that internal communications and FBI reports indicate otherwise.
The referral, sent on behalf of Shafi by a separate attorney, raises questions about Choi’s continued interaction with the IRL case post her appointment at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Referrals like this, aimed at prosecutors, are uncommon.
Shafi’s defense argues that despite prosecutors claiming Choi was isolated from the IRL investigation, she engaged beyond her permissible role. Documents obtained by Shafi’s defense purport to show continued involvement, including communication with FBI agents and sharing case updates with colleagues.
In a July interview with the FBI, Choi allegedly stated she had no involvement in the investigation. Yet records suggest she communicated about the investigation’s progress and collaborated with her predecessor. These claims lead to suspicions of Choi potentially misleading federal agents.
The Justice Department has yet to respond to the referral formally. As of now, Choi faces no charges or professional disciplinary actions. Choi has remained silent on the allegations, neither confirming nor denying her role in the case.
Shafi’s defense aims to demonstrate that Choi’s alleged false statements could affect the charges against their client. They argue her past role at IRL creates a conflict of interest. If proven, this could have broad implications for the U.S. Attorney’s Office handling the case.
Cully Stimson, acting director at the Heritage Foundation’s Legal Policy Center, notes that if the allegations are verified, they could indicate a conflicted office environment that might disrupt ongoing proceedings.