Federal judge rules DOJ’s three-lawyer leadership of New Jersey U.S. attorney’s office is unlawful
The Facts
- U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann ruled on Monday that the Justice Department’s three-person leadership arrangement for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey was unlawful.
- The three DOJ lawyers named in the ruling are Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox, and Ari Fontecchio.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed the trio after Brann previously disqualified Alina Habba from serving as acting/interim U.S. attorney in New Jersey.
- Brann had previously ruled that Habba’s service became unlawful after she remained in the role beyond the time allowed without Senate confirmation.
- Brann’s new decision disqualified the trio from overseeing at least two ongoing criminal cases.
- Brann warned that if DOJ continued to delegate U.S. attorney authority to unconfirmed lawyers, he could dismiss criminal cases they oversee.
Context
Who did the judge say was unlawfully leading the New Jersey U.S. attorney’s office?
Judge Matthew Brann said the DOJ’s three-lawyer team—Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox, and Ari Fontecchio—was unlawfully exercising the powers of the U.S. attorney for New Jersey. Reuters,Bloomberg Business
Why did the court say the arrangement was improper?
Brann concluded the administration exceeded its authority by installing or delegating the U.S. attorney’s powers to unconfirmed officials rather than using the Senate-confirmation process typically required for U.S. attorneys. Reuters,U.S. News & World R…,Hill
What could the ruling mean for federal cases in New Jersey?
Brann warned that continued use of unconfirmed leadership could put prosecutions at risk and said he could dismiss cases overseen under that arrangement, and he disqualified the trio from overseeing two ongoing criminal matters. Reuters,U.S. News & World R…
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