Overview
- U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell ruled Chattah is not validly serving as acting U.S. attorney and disqualified her from supervising four prosecutions in Nevada.
- The court left the indictments intact but ordered government attorneys to file statements within seven days confirming Chattah is not directing their work.
- Campbell found DOJ’s reassignment maneuver—resignation followed by a first‑assistant designation to continue as acting—violated vacancies law.
- The decision follows a similar August ruling against Alina Habba in New Jersey, signaling broader judicial resistance to the administration’s appointment tactics.
- Justice Department filings argued the personnel moves were lawful, and the judge outlined paths to fill the vacancy through a compliant acting appointment, a court appointment, or a Senate‑confirmed nominee.