Fired federal prosecutor claims ex-Fatburger CEO's 'smears' reached White House

Los Angeles Times - May 3rd, 2025
Open on Los Angeles Times

Adam Schleifer, a former assistant U.S. attorney, has filed a wrongful termination claim alleging his firing was influenced by Andrew Wiederhorn, the ex-CEO of Fat Brands, amid Wiederhorn's fraud and gun charges. Schleifer claims his dismissal was politically motivated, linked to his prosecution of Wiederhorn and allegedly fueled by 'smears' disseminated by Wiederhorn's defense team. An email sent on behalf of President Trump, notifying Schleifer of his removal, aligns with a call for his firing by conservative activist Laura Loomer, suggesting political interference.

The case highlights potential misuse of influence to affect legal proceedings, as Wiederhorn faces charges for a $47-million 'sham loan' scheme and illegal firearm possession. Wiederhorn, who maintains his innocence, has a history of legal troubles and financial controversies. This situation underscores the tension between legal accountability and political influence, raising concerns about justice system integrity. Schleifer's allegations, if proven, could reveal significant implications for the intersection of politics and law enforcement in high-profile corporate cases.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article effectively covers a complex story involving legal and political dimensions, providing a detailed account of Adam Schleifer's firing and Andrew Wiederhorn's legal challenges. It scores well in accuracy and timeliness, presenting information that aligns with known facts and ongoing developments. The story is balanced and engages with significant public interest topics, although it could benefit from more direct responses from involved parties to enhance source quality and transparency. Overall, the article offers a clear and comprehensive narrative that is accessible to readers, while also provoking thoughtful discussion on justice and corporate ethics.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The article presents a detailed account of Adam Schleifer's firing and Andrew Wiederhorn's legal troubles, which aligns well with the known facts. The story accurately reports Schleifer's allegations of being fired due to political reasons and connects these claims to the influence of conservative pundits and the White House. The details about Wiederhorn's past legal issues and the ongoing charges are also consistent with available information. However, the article would benefit from further verification of the White House's involvement in Schleifer's dismissal and the alleged smear campaign by Wiederhorn's team, as these are critical claims that could impact the story's credibility.

7
Balance

The article provides a reasonably balanced view by presenting the perspectives of both Schleifer and Wiederhorn. It details Schleifer's claims and his past criticisms of Trump, while also outlining Wiederhorn's legal defense and his history. However, the story leans slightly towards Schleifer's perspective, particularly in framing his firing as politically motivated. It could improve by including more direct responses from Wiederhorn or his legal team, as well as the White House, to ensure a more comprehensive representation of all parties involved.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and presents information in a clear and logical manner. It effectively breaks down complex legal issues and the sequence of events leading to Schleifer's firing, making it accessible to readers. The language is neutral and professional, aiding in clarity. However, the inclusion of more direct quotes and responses from involved parties could enhance the clarity by providing firsthand accounts and perspectives.

8
Source quality

The article appears to rely on credible sources, including court filings and statements from involved parties, which enhances its reliability. It references previous reports and legal documents to support its claims about Wiederhorn's past and current legal issues. However, the lack of direct quotes or responses from the White House and Wiederhorn's defense team slightly diminishes the overall source quality, as these would provide additional depth and authority to the reporting.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent in its presentation of Schleifer's allegations and the context surrounding his firing. It clearly outlines the timeline and the potential motivations behind the dismissal. However, it could improve by explicitly stating the methods used to gather information and any potential biases in the reporting. Additionally, the lack of comment from key parties like the White House and Wiederhorn's team leaves some gaps in transparency regarding the basis of certain claims.

Sources

  1. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-03-29/los-angeles-federal-prosecutor-fired
  2. https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/ex-fed-prosecutor-challenges-firing-carried-out-for-unprecedented-political-reasons
  3. https://www.dailyjournal.com/article/384704-hearing-delayed-after-prosecutor-in-fatburger-founder-s-tax-case-is-fired
  4. https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/ex-justice-department-prosecutor-challenges-his-20298662.php