A newly published report on Monday has shed light on the high-profile cases that former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Jessica Aber, had been investigating before she was found dead over the weekend. Aber, 43, was a Biden-nominated attorney who played a key role in prosecuting significant cases related to national security leaks, Russian financial fraud, and international war crimes.
Authorities are actively investigating Aber’s cause of death. According to reports, she was discovered unresponsive in her Alexandria home by local police shortly before 9:20 a.m. on Saturday. While no official cause has been determined, early reports suggest she may have passed due to a longstanding medical condition. Law enforcement officials have stated that no signs of foul play have been found in the ongoing investigation.
During her tenure, Aber led one of the most consequential leak cases in recent history. She prosecuted former CIA analyst Asif Rahman, 34, who pleaded guilty to leaking highly classified documents detailing Israel’s plan to strike Iran. Rahman had posted top-secret intelligence on Telegram, which ultimately forced Israeli officials to delay a planned counterattack. At the time, Aber condemned Rahman’s actions as a “grave violation of national security” that “put countless lives at risk and jeopardized U.S. intelligence efforts abroad.”
Aber also spearheaded a major prosecution targeting Russian financial operations in the United States. She led the case against Eleview International Inc., a Virginia-based company accused of illegally exporting over $6 million in telecommunications equipment to Russia. Two top executives of the company, Oleg Nayandin, 54, and Vitaliy Borisenko, 39, were charged in November with orchestrating a scheme to evade U.S. sanctions by routing shipments through Turkey, Finland, and Kazakhstan. The case was one of many efforts by the U.S. Department of Justice to crack down on financial crimes tied to Moscow following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In addition to financial crimes, Aber played a critical role in pursuing cybercrime syndicates linked to Russian nationals. She was instrumental in securing indictments against Sergey Ivanov and Timur Shakhmametov, both of whom were accused of running a vast money-laundering network catering to cybercriminals and ransomware groups. The Secret Service had placed a $10 million reward on their capture, labeling their activities as among the most extensive cyber fraud operations targeting U.S. financial institutions.
Another significant achievement during Aber’s tenure was her involvement in the Justice Department’s first-ever war crimes indictment against four Russian soldiers. The indictment alleged that these soldiers had committed brutal crimes against an American citizen in Ukraine, including abduction, torture, and a mock execution. Aber emphasized the importance of holding war criminals accountable, stating, “We are proud to be at the forefront of the Justice Department’s efforts to ensure justice for victims of war crimes in Ukraine.”
Jessica Aber’s death marks a significant loss in the legal community. Born and raised in Virginia, she earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond in 2003 and later graduated from William & Mary Law School in 2006. She joined the Eastern District of Virginia as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in 2009 and later served as counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ’s Criminal Division. Her commitment to justice, national security, and the rule of law leaves behind a lasting impact.
While investigations into Aber’s passing continue, former colleagues and officials have paid tribute to her unwavering dedication and service. Many described her as a fierce advocate for justice and a leader in the fight against international crime and corruption. As her legacy endures, the cases she championed continue to shape the landscape of law enforcement and national security in the United States.