In a striking turn of events, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has enlisted the services of a dance photographer from her past as one of the prosecutors in a highly controversial case involving six Democratic lawmakers. This unusual development unfolded on Tuesday, as reported by two individuals familiar with the matter.
The photographer, Steven Vandervelden, who has operated an active photography studio, was involved in presenting federal charges to a grand jury against these lawmakers. The accusations stemmed from a video they created, which reminded military personnel of their rights to decline unlawful orders. This case has drawn significant criticism, with many viewing it as a politically charged assault on free speech.
Interestingly, Vandervelden is not alone in this role; he represents one of two individuals brought into the case by Pirro who have minimal experience in federal prosecution. Their attempts to secure an indictment from the grand jury ended in failure, adding to the perception that this investigation may be driven more by political motives than legal merit. Former federal prosecutors in Washington, D.C., have noted that assigning such a sensitive case to lawyers from outside the established prosecutorial ranks is virtually unheard of.
Vandervelden, who previously had a lengthy career as a local prosecutor in Westchester County, New York, where Pirro served as district attorney, declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, referring to it as a potentially open case. In a brief phone conversation, he confirmed his identity as the same Vandervelden who had recently updated his photography studio’s Instagram account.
The participation of Vandervelden and another special counsel appointed by Pirro, Carlton Davis, raised eyebrows among legal experts due to its unusual nature, particularly as it pertains to pursuing alleged criminal charges against sitting lawmakers. Notably, Vandervelden joined the Department of Justice (DOJ) last year without any prior experience there, while Davis had only a short tenure as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia in 2018.
Typically, seeking charges against current legislators would involve a thorough process of approvals and consultations with the DOJ’s public integrity section. However, that office has seen significant staffing reductions over the past year, leaving uncertainty about whether the remaining attorneys had any insights into this indictment initiative.
Vandervelden’s connection to Pirro dates back to the 1990s when he worked in the Westchester County District Attorney’s office. His recent involvement in this case coincided with the departure of several criminal prosecutors from Pirro's team, including key figures in the public corruption unit.
For those curious about Vandervelden’s life beyond law, his photography website includes intriguing sections like "Dance Puppetry," "Dance the Plank Series," and "Circus, Yoga, and Fitness." Reflecting on his career transition, Vandervelden shared with the Rockland/Westchester Journal News in 2023, "I spent a good portion of my life peering into the darkness looking for the bad guy. Now it’s a joy to peer into the darkness and look for the light and find beauty as opposed to the grime."
This situation raises important questions about the intersection of politics and law enforcement. How should we view the involvement of individuals with diverse backgrounds in serious legal matters? And what implications does this case have for free speech in America? We invite you to share your thoughts and opinions—do you agree with the growing concerns regarding the motivations behind this investigation?
