A U.S. official is illegally serving as the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, a federal judge has ruled.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli “is unlawfully serving as a ‘de facto’ United States Attorney,” U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright said in a 32-page decision on Oct. 27.
Seabright said he must disqualify Essayli from overseeing the prosecutions of two defendants, although the disqualifications will not become effective until a ruling comes on the government’s motion for a stay pending appeal.
“Just so there’s no confusion, today’s order is stayed and has no immediate effect,” Essayli wrote on X. “I remain First Assistant U.S. Attorney and continue running the office. The Supreme Court will ultimately decide this matter.”…