Overview
- U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann on Monday disqualified Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox and Ari Fontecchio from overseeing the New Jersey U.S. attorney’s office, finding their appointments unlawful.
- He concluded that Attorney General Pam Bondi exceeded her authority by dividing the U.S. attorney’s powers among three unconfirmed officials.
- The 130-page order was stayed pending appeal, but Brann warned that any further unlawful attempts to fill the office could result in dismissals of pending cases.
- The dispute follows President Trump’s earlier installation of Alina Habba as acting U.S. attorney beyond the allowed interim period, a move judges previously rejected.
- Courts in other districts have issued similar rulings, including a November decision in Virginia disqualifying Lindsey Halligan and ordering dismissals of indictments she brought.