Judge disqualifies federal prosecutor in investigation into New York attorney general

A federal judge quashed subpoenas and disqualified acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone from investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling he was serving unlawfully when he requested them. The judge said the Justice Department used personnel moves that bypassed statutory appointment limits.

A federal judge disqualified acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone from participating in investigations of New York Attorney General Letitia James. The judge also quashed subpoenas Sarcone had requested. The ruling found the Justice Department used personnel moves that bypassed statutory limits on interim appointments. The Justice Department has disputed that conclusion and said the appointments and subpoenas were valid. Key points: - U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield ruled Sarcone had been serving unlawfully when he sought subpoenas and quashed those subpoenas. - Sarcone had been appointed interim U.S. attorney, and when his 120-day term elapsed judges declined to extend his tenure. - The judge said the Department of Justice used coordinated personnel moves and title changes to install Sarcone as acting U.S. attorney in a way federal law does not permit. - Justice Department lawyers argued the appointments were proper, while Letitia James' office called the ruling an important win for the rule of law. Summary: The decision removes Sarcone from the investigations and invalidates subpoenas he had requested, affecting probes tied to lawsuits filed by Attorney General Letitia James. Undetermined at this time.