History of John Durham in Timeline
John Henry Durham is an American lawyer who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut from 2018 to 2021. In 2019, he was tasked by the Trump administration to investigate the origins of the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections. This investigation, initially led by Durham as U.S. Attorney, was elevated in October 2020 when he was appointed special counsel for the Department of Justice, granting him more autonomy and resources. The focus of his work as special counsel was to examine the basis and legitimacy of the FBI's initial inquiry into Russian election interference.
March 16, 1950: Birth of John Durham
John Henry Durham was born on March 16, 1950.
1968: Framing of Four Men
This year marks the wrongful convictions of Enrico Tameleo, Joseph Salvati, Peter J. Limone, and Louis Greco, later overturned due to evidence presented by John Durham.
1972: Colgate University Graduation
John Durham graduated from Colgate University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972.
1975: University of Connecticut School of Law Graduation
John Durham earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1975.
1977: Start as Deputy Assistant State's Attorney
John Durham began serving as a Deputy Assistant State's Attorney in Connecticut in 1977.
1977: End of VISTA Volunteer Work
John Durham completed his two years of VISTA volunteer work on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana in 1977.
1978: Becomes Assistant State's Attorney
In 1978, John Durham became an Assistant State's Attorney in the New Haven State's Attorney's Office.
1981: Killing of Tulsa Businessman
This is the year a Tulsa businessman was killed, a crime that retired FBI agent H. Paul Rico was later indicted for.
1982: End of Term as Assistant State's Attorney
John Durham finished his term as an Assistant State's Attorney in 1982.
1982: Joins U.S. Attorney's Office
John Durham joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut in 1982.
1989: Becomes Chief of Criminal Division
In 1989, Durham was appointed Chief of the Criminal Division in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut.
1994: Appointed Deputy U.S. Attorney
John Durham became the Deputy U.S. Attorney in 1994.
1995: Bulger's Indictment
This year marks the indictment of gangster James "Whitey" Bulger.
1997: Acting and Interim U.S. Attorney
In 1997, John Durham served as the acting and interim U.S. Attorney.
1998: Continued as Acting and Interim U.S. Attorney
John Durham continued in his role as acting and interim U.S. Attorney in 1998.
1999: Named Special Prosecutor
John Durham was appointed special prosecutor in 1999 by Attorney General Janet Reno to investigate the Boston office's handling of informants.
December 2000: Reveals FBI Documents Leading to Vacated Convictions
In December 2000, John Durham unveiled secret FBI documents which led to the overturning of the 1968 murder convictions of four men.
2002: Conviction of John J. Connolly Jr.
In 2002, John Durham contributed to the conviction of retired FBI agent John J. Connolly Jr. on federal racketeering charges.
2004: Durham Receives Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service
John Durham received the Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service in 2004.
2004: Death of H. Paul Rico
Retired FBI agent H. Paul Rico passed away in 2004 before facing trial.
2005: Special Prosecutor in CIA Interrogation Tapes Case
In 2005, John Durham served as special prosecutor in the case involving the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes, ultimately deciding not to file criminal charges.
2007: $101.7 Million Civil Judgment
In 2007, the families of the wrongly convicted men from the 1968 murder case won a $101.7 million civil judgment against the government, partially thanks to Durham's work.
2008: Appointed to Investigate Destruction of CIA Videotapes
In 2008, Attorney General Michael Mukasey appointed Durham to investigate the destruction of CIA videotapes of detainee interrogations.
2008: End of Term as Deputy U.S. Attorney
John Durham finished serving as the Deputy U.S. Attorney in 2008.
2008: Inquiry into FBI and Boston Police Ties to Mafia
John Durham led an inquiry in 2008 into alleged connections between FBI agents, Boston Police, and the Mafia.
August 2009: Appointed to Investigate CIA Interrogation Techniques
Attorney General Eric Holder appointed John Durham in August 2009 to lead an investigation into the legality of the CIA's enhanced interrogation techniques.
November 8, 2010: Closes Investigation without Charges
On November 8, 2010, John Durham concluded his investigation into the destruction of CIA videotapes without recommending any criminal charges.
2011: Criminal Investigation into Detainee Deaths Opened
A criminal investigation into the deaths of two detainees, Gul Rahman and Manadel al-Jamadi, was initiated in 2011.
2011: Durham Recognized as Powerful Figure
In 2011, John Durham was included in The New Republic's list of Washington's most powerful yet least famous individuals.
2012: Durham Receives Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service
John Durham received the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service in 2012.
2012: End of Term as Acting U.S. Attorney
John Durham's term as the acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia ended in 2012.
2012: Criminal Investigation Closed without Charges
The investigation into the detainee deaths was closed in 2012 without any charges being filed.
2016: FBI Investigation Begins
In 2016, the FBI launched an investigation (Crossfire Hurricane) into possible contacts between Trump's associates and Russian officials concerning the election.
2016: Russian Interference in US Elections
This year marks the Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, an event that would later become the subject of an investigation led by John Durham.
November 1, 2017: Nominated as U.S. Attorney for Connecticut
John Durham was nominated by President Donald Trump to be the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut on November 1, 2017.
2017: Allegations of "Hoax" and "Witch Hunt"
Beginning in 2017, Trump and his allies claimed the FBI's investigation into potential connections between his campaign and Russian officials was a politically motivated "hoax" or "witch hunt".
February 16, 2018: Nomination Confirmed
The Senate confirmed John Durham's nomination for U.S. Attorney for Connecticut on February 16, 2018.
February 22, 2018: Sworn in as U.S. Attorney
John Durham was sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Connecticut on February 22, 2018.
2018: U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut
John Durham served as the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut from 2018 to 2021.
April 2019: Durham Appointed to Investigate FBI's Russia Inquiry
In April 2019, Attorney General William Barr appointed John Durham to lead an investigation into the origins of the FBI's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
April 2019: Assigned to Investigate Russia Investigation Origins
In April 2019, John Durham was assigned by the Trump administration to investigate the origins of the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US elections.
May 2019: Chosen to Lead Probe into FBI's Crossfire Hurricane Investigation
In May 2019, William Barr selected John Durham to head an investigation into the origins of the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane investigation and the Mueller special counsel investigation.
2019: Durham Indicts Three Men
In 2019, after a three-and-a-half-year investigation, Durham indicted three men, two of whom were acquitted after trial, and one pleaded guilty to a charge unrelated to the origins of the FBI investigation.
October 19, 2020: Appointed Special Counsel
On October 19, 2020, John Durham was appointed Special Counsel to ensure the continuity of the investigation beyond the Trump administration.
December 2020: Barr Discloses Durham's Special Counsel Status
In December 2020, Attorney General William Barr revealed that he had elevated John Durham's status to special counsel in October 2020, ensuring the investigation's continuity.
December 2020: Durham Appointed Special Counsel
In December 2020, Barr revealed that Durham had been appointed as special counsel in October 2020 for the investigation.
February 2021: Asked to Resign by President Biden
John Durham was among the U.S. Attorneys asked to resign by President Joe Biden in February 2021.
February 28, 2021: Resigns as U.S. Attorney
John Durham resigned from his position as U.S. Attorney on February 28, 2021.
2021: End of Term as U.S. Attorney
John Durham's term as U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut ended in 2021.
September 2022: Costs of Durham Investigation Reach $6.5 Million
By September 2022, the cost of Durham's investigation had risen to $6.5 million since he became special counsel.
May 12, 2023: Durham Submits Final Report
On May 12, 2023, Durham submitted his final report to Attorney General Merrick Garland.
May 2023: End of Term as Special Counsel
John Durham's time as Special Counsel concluded in May 2023.
