A senior prosecutor has departed the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office amid allegations of internal conflict and concerns about workplace culture under District Attorney Jackie Sartoris, sources told the Maine Wire.

An office spokesperson confirmed that Assistant District Attorney Valerie Adams is no longer employed with the office. The confirmation followed information provided to the Maine Wire by a source familiar with the situation, who said Adams confronted Sartoris regarding what the source described as a “toxic work environment” and indicated she was considering a campaign for district attorney.

The DA’s office did not comment on the circumstances of Adams’ departure, personnel matters, or any potential political plans.

Adams, a graduate of the University of Maine School of Law, has worked in multiple areas of Maine’s legal system.

Before joining the Cumberland County office, she practiced in criminal defense, appellate litigation and immigration law.

She previously operated a private practice, Adams Law, and worked with Fairfield & Associates and Hanly Law. Earlier in her career, Adams volunteered with the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, and she was recognized by the Maine Judicial Branch through the Katahdin Counsel Initiative for providing pro bono legal service. 

Adams has also appeared before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, including in State v. Chase, where she presented oral arguments on behalf of the state.

Sartoris was elected district attorney after defeating a moderate Democratic incumbent in a primary campaign that drew more than $350,000 in outside political spending. The independent expenditures were made by criminal justice reform organizations funded by billionaire George Soros, according to campaign finance filings.

Since taking office, Sartoris has faced harsh criticism over prosecutorial priorities and the county’s response to homelessness, open air substance use, and street-level crime in Portland.

Sartoris also drew scrutiny recently following a widely shared social media post she made after the killing of political commentator Charlie Kirk. After reporting on the post, Sartoris deleted her Facebook account. 

In a separate matter, prior reporting by the Maine Wire raised allegations involving Sartoris’ former husband concerning the purchase of illicit drugs using cryptocurrency and state technology resources. 

The allegations were part of an internal inquiry at the time. Sartoris was living in the household during the period referenced in that reporting. No public enforcement action has resulted from the inquiry, and Sartoris did not publicly comment on the matter.

Adams has not made a public statement regarding her departure, and Sartoris’ office has not indicated whether the position will be filled immediately. No filings related to a potential district attorney campaign by Adams appear in state or municipal election records.