Federal Court Throws Out Criminal Case Citing
Improper Appointment of Prosecutor
A federal judge dismissed the criminal charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the appointment of the interim U.S. attorney who brought the case was invalid. The dismissal was without prejudice, meaning charges could potentially be refiled by a properly appointed prosecutor.
The ruling came from U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie, who found that Lindsey Halligan, a former Trump attorney appointed as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, lacked the legal authority to pursue the indictments against James.
Halligan’s appointment occurred after the Trump administration removed previous interim prosecutors amid pressure to target political adversaries including James and former FBI Director James Comey, who faced similar charges dismissed in the same ruling.
Judge Currie emphasized that allowing Halligan’s appointment to stand would set a dangerous precedent where any private citizen could be appointed to bring indictments without proper authority or Senate confirmation.
Letitia James was indicted on charges in October 2025, including allegations of making false statements to a financial institution and bank fraud related to a property misrepresentation to secure better mortgage terms.
James expressed relief following the dismissal, thanking supporters and vowing to continue advocating for New Yorkers, calling the charges baseless.
Her attorney Abbe Lowell stated the ruling acknowledged the politically motivated nature of the prosecution initiated through improper appointments.
The case attracted national attention, seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to pursue legal charges against political opponents.
The dismissals underscore questions about the independence and legitimacy of politically charged prosecutions and highlight the complexities in appointing interim federal prosecutors.
