Defense attorneys for Luigi Mangione claim Attorney General Pam Bondi had a conflict of interest when she directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty. The filing cites Bondi's former role at Ballard Partners, alleged ongoing financial ties, and public statements made before formal indictment. The defense also says publicity by officials and DOJ staff risks prejudicing the case. Mangione faces federal death-penalty counts and state charges that could mean life in prison.
Lawyers Allege AG Pam Bondi Had Financial Conflict in Mangione Death-Penalty Decision
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The defense team for accused killer Luigi Mangione argues that the Department of Justice's decision to seek the death penalty was compromised by a conflict of interest involving U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
What the Filing Says
In a court filing on Friday, Mangione's attorneys assert Bondi's involvement was tainted by her prior employment at Ballard Partners, the lobbying firm that represented UnitedHealth Group, parent company of UnitedHealthcare. The defense says Bondi promised, before taking office, to follow ethics rules and to recuse herself from matters involving Ballard clients for one year — a pledge the filing says she violated by publicly intervening and endorsing a death-penalty directive.
Luigi Mangione's legal team is arguing that Pam Bondi has a conflict of interest in his death penalty case. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Alleged Financial Ties
The filing also claims Bondi continues to receive financial benefits linked to her time at Ballard, citing a profit-sharing arrangement and a defined contribution plan that the defense says create an indirect financial stake in UnitedHealth Group's interests.
“Bondi has a financial stake in the case she is prosecuting,” the filing states, arguing that this interest “should have caused her to recuse herself from making any decisions on this case.”
Public Statements and Timing
Bondi publicly announced in April that she had directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty — a declaration made before Mangione was formally indicted — framing the move as part of an effort to “carry out President Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again.” The defense argues such early public comments risk prejudicing the proceedings.
Luigi Mangione, suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, arrives at a heliport with members of the NYPD on Dec. 19, 2024, in New York City. / Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Related DOJ Social Media Posts
Two Department of Justice employees were threatened with contempt in September after reposting social media comments about the case. Chad Gilmartin, deputy director in the DOJ's Office of Public Affairs, reshared remarks from President Donald Trump about the killing and highlighted Bondi's instruction to seek the death penalty; that post and a subsequent resharing by the chief of staff for Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were later deleted.
Defense Complaint About Publicity
Mangione's lawyers have repeatedly criticized prosecutors and public officials — including Bondi and New York Mayor Eric Adams — for turning the case into a public spectacle they say could “fatally prejudice” the trial. Their September petition accused authorities of inflaming media coverage through leaks, staged appearances and repeated public comments.
Charges and Case Facts
Mangione, 27, faces both federal and state murder charges. Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty on the federal counts; state charges carry the possibility of life imprisonment. The victim, 50-year-old Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024. Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania five days later.
Note: The defense's allegations center on recusal and potential financial conflicts; they do not alter the formal charges or the current status of the investigation and prosecution.
