Judge bars Essayli from supervising two prosecutions

A federal judge ruled that Bill Essayli is unlawfully serving as Los Angeles’s top federal prosecutor and barred him from supervising two criminal prosecutions, though the order is not yet in effect. U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright found Essayli is serving as a de facto U.S. attorney despite his designation as a special attorney and first assistant. The restriction concerns prosecutions of Jaime Hector Ramirez, charged with firearm possession as a felon, and Tu Anh Tran, charged with possessing property stolen from an interstate or foreign shipment. Seabright declined to dismiss either indictment, finding the defendants had not demonstrated the substantial prejudice required for that relief. The order’s effect is delayed while the court considers a government request for a stay pending appeal. Under the schedule accepted by Seabright, prosecutors have five business days to seek a stay; if it is denied, the disqualification would take effect one week later unless the court or an appeals court orders otherwise. The Justice Department has said it intends to appeal. The timing of any stay will determine whether Essayli remains able to supervise the cases during the...