Appeals court rules Nevada U.S. attorney was unlawfully appointed

Chattah remains in office as Trump replacement awaits Senate action

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision Monday said Chattah could not legally serve as U.S. attorney in Nevada, according to the Associated Press. The ruling affects her authority to lead federal prosecutions in the state.

Chattah continued in the office under the title of first assistant U.S. attorney after a lower-court judge paused a ruling that had disqualified her from overseeing several criminal prosecutions. The pause remained in effect while the appeals process took place.

The ruling addressed the legality of the administration’s practice of keeping selected U.S. attorneys in place beyond the 120-day federal limit. The approach was designed to avoid Senate confirmation, which generally requires a degree of bipartisan support.

Earlier this year, the White House selected George Kelesis to replace Chattah, but Kelesis still must go through the Senate’s nomination process. Kelesis is a Las Vegas native and has practiced law in Nevada since 1981, according to the Associated Press.