World

Judge rules a top federal prosecutor is 'unlawfully serving' and bars him from cases

First Assistant U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli in June 2025. (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press) A federal judge on Tuesday ruled that Bill Essayli is unlawfully serving as Los Angeles’ top federal prosecutor and ordered him disqualified from overseeing two criminal cases, rejecting the Justice Department’s latest effort to preserve his authority. Senior U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright, however, delayed the disqualifications from taking effect while he considers an anticipated government re