Sandusky native declines prosecutor job

SANDUSKY — Marisa Darden, a Sandusky native, abruptly withdrew her historic nomination for a top federal prosecutor position just weeks after her confirmation. Last month, Darden was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the U.S. Attorney for Ohio's northern district. Late Tuesday, Darden announced that she was backing out of the position. "After a great deal of soul searching, prayer, conversations with family and consultation with trusted colleagues, it is with a heavy heart that, effective immediately, I am withdrawing my name from consideration to be the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio," Darden said. President Joe Biden nominated Darden in November, and the U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination on April 27. If she had accepted the job, then Darden would have been the first Black woman to possess that title, as no Black woman has ever served as a U.S. district attorney in the northern Ohio district. Darden indicated that she will continue to work in private practice. Darden's practiced law with Squire Patton Boggs in Cleveland since 2019. Darden cited "real life" and family as factors in her decision to back out. "It was the honor of my career to be nominated, considered and confirmed by the United States Senate, and it would have been the privilege of a lifetime to serve the approximately 6 million residents of the district," Darden said. "However, in the midst of a nearly 16-month nomination and confirmation process during a global pandemic, real life happens. If there is anything this time has taught me, it is the importance of prioritizing family." Acting U.S. District Attorney Michelle Baeppler will continue to stand in for the job until a new candidate can be nominated and confirmed by the Senate. Northern Ohio has been without a top prosecutor since its last one, Justin Herdman, quit when President Donald Trump, who nominated him, left office in 2019.