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NewsMyNewsLAOctober 28, 2026Los Angeles County

Federal Judge Rules Bill Essayli Acting Unlawfully as De Facto Head Prosecutor

Photo: MyNewsLA

A federal judge ruled that Bill Essayli cannot continue acting as the de facto head prosecutor in seven Southern and Central California counties, limiting his ability to oversee cases. The court found that the Department of Justice's appointment mechanism unlawfully bypassed U.S. Senate confirmation. However, the judge denied motions to dismiss the two specific cases currently challenging Essayli's authority and granted an automatic stay to allow the government to appeal.

Legal ProceedingsFederal JudiciaryLaw EnforcementConstitutional Law
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Why It Matters

The ruling creates a legal precedent allowing criminal defendants in Southern and Central California to challenge indictments and prosecutions overseen by Bill Essayli, impacting the leadership structure of federal prosecutors in the region pending an appeal.

Key Facts

  • U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright ruled that Bill Essayli is unlawfully serving as a de facto United States Attorney in seven Southern and Central California counties.
  • The court denied defense motions to dismiss the two specific cases that challenged Essayli's legal authority.
  • The judge's ruling is automatically stayed to allow the government to seek a full stay and maintain the status quo pending an appeal.
  • On July 29, 2025, Essayli resigned as interim U.S. Attorney as his 120-day term expired and was appointed as a special attorney and First Assistant U.S. Attorney.
  • Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a revised designation order on Sept. 23 attempting to alter Essayli's appointment, which the judge found functionally equivalent to the prior improper designation.
  • Federal prosecutors indicated their intent to appeal the ruling, with expectations that the issue will ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

Who's Mentioned

PersonJ. Michael Seabright“U.S. District Judge who issued the ruling regarding Essayli's appointment.”locationLas Vegas“Location of the district court case regarding Nevada's first assistant U.S. Atto”PersonDonald Trump“U.S. President associated with the administration executing the appointments.”PersonTodd Blanche“Attorney General who issued an order revising Essayli's appointment.”OrganizationDepartment of Justice“Federal agency responsible for prosecutorial appointments.”locationSouthern and Central California“Region covered by the federal prosecutor's office in question.”PersonSigal Chattah“Former first assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada whose disqualifi”locationOrange County“Location where the defense attorney's case originated.”PersonTu Anh Tran“Defendant whose attorney filed motions to dismiss charges.”PersonDean Steward“Attorney who filed the motion for reconsideration and to disqualify Essayli.”PersonBill Essayli“Acting head prosecutor whose appointment was challenged and ruled unlawful by th”OrganizationNinth Circuit Court of Appeals“Appellate court that upheld the disqualification of Sigal Chattah in Nevada.”locationLos Angeles“City where the appointment dispute and legal actions unfolded.”OrganizationSupreme Court“Expected ultimate arbiter of the appointment question.”locationNew York“Location of another ruling addressing interim appointments.”