lawyers for New York Attorney General Letitia James are expected in court to seek the disqualification of U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael Sarcone, from overseeing two ongoing civil cases. The move comes after a judge previously steadfast the appointment of Trump‘s former personal attorney, Alina Habba, as acting U.S.attorney for New Jersey was unlawful – a decision upheld by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday. The attorney general’s office argues Sarcone’s prior appointment raises concerns about impartiality and the integrity of the proceedings.
The cases in question involve meaningful financial penalties and allegations of fraud against prominent figures and organizations. One lawsuit, filed in 2022, accuses Donald Trump and the Trump Association of inflating property values to secure favorable loan and insurance rates. A judge initially found Trump and his sons liable for fraud, ordering a payment exceeding $350 million plus interest, though a state appeals court later reduced the judgment, deeming it excessive. Both sides have appealed that ruling. The second case targets the National Rifle Association (NRA) and its leadership, alleging violations of nonprofit laws; a jury previously found the NRA mismanaged charitable funds.other judges have previously rejected the Justice Department’s position on similar appointments, finding the appointments of other U.S. attorneys unlawful. Sarcone’s office is currently investigating both the Trump Organization and NRA lawsuits. The outcome of the disqualification request could lead to reassignment of the cases, perhaps delaying proceedings and impacting the ultimate resolution of the legal challenges.
