Overview
- The White House announced Las Vegas attorney George Kelesis as its nominee on Wednesday, one day before an appellate review of the prior appointment.
- A three-judge Ninth Circuit panel heard arguments on whether the Justice Department lawfully installed Sigal Chattah to act as U.S. attorney and whether indictments under her leadership can be thrown out.
- A federal judge in September disqualified Chattah’s acting status, the ruling was stayed on appeal, and her 210-day acting window is set to expire this month.
- Nevada’s Democratic senators had vowed to block Chattah from Senate consideration, and Kelesis must now secure Senate confirmation to take the post.
- Courts in New Jersey and Virginia have ruled similar Justice Department maneuvers unlawful, a pattern the appeals court weighed as it considered Nevada’s case.