The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina has announced the departure of Adair Ford Boroughs from her role as U.S. Attorney, following her termination by the new administration. In accordance with the Vacancies Reform Act, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews will assume the position of Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina.
Brook B. Andrews, a seasoned federal prosecutor, joined the Department of Justice through the Attorney General’s Honors Program in 2009. Prior to his current role, he served as Deputy Criminal Chief over the White Collar and General Crimes Section and held positions such as District Ethics Officer and Assistant U.S. Attorney, where he managed various criminal, civil, and appellate cases. Andrews holds degrees from Davidson College, George Washington University, and the University of South Carolina School of Law. His previous experience includes clerking for U.S. District Judge Margaret Seymour and Chief Justice Jean Toal.
Adair Ford Boroughs was appointed as United States Attorney in July 2022 after being nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the Senate. During her tenure, she led a team of approximately 140 attorneys and support staff. Her focus was on enforcing federal civil rights laws and collaborating with law enforcement at all levels to combat violent crime. Under her leadership, five federal hate crime convictions were secured, and seven United Against Hate events were conducted statewide in partnership with FBI Columbia to promote awareness about hate crimes.
Boroughs emphasized prosecuting those responsible for violence in South Carolina communities by working closely with local partners to identify offenders. Her office announced several multi-defendant indictments that disrupted gun trafficking rings, illegal narcotics operations, and gang activities. Additionally, she oversaw prosecutions related to human trafficking, child exploitation, and white-collar crimes including a notable case involving a Nigerian national charged with a sextortion scheme linked to a teenager's death.
Reflecting on her service, Boroughs stated: “It has been the honor of my career to return to the Department of Justice and to serve alongside the men and women of the U.S. Attorney’s Office... It has been my honor to support them in this critical and patriotic work however I could for as long as I could.”
