A U.S. appeals court found that John Sarcone was appointed illegally.
The court prevented him from probing New York Attorney General Letitia James. It also maintained a block on formal requests from the U.S. Justice Department to her office. The ruling was published on August 21 2026.
The decision stops the administration from pursuing its case against a political rival. It causes uncertainty about Senate confirmation for the Albany prosecutor. Senate confirmation had been delayed for the Albany position. The decision was noted by several news outlets.