Federal Judge Zahid N. Quraishi expelled top prosecutor Mark Coyne from his New Jersey courtroom on Monday during a child pornography sentencing hearing, demanding clarification about who controls the U.S. attorney's office.
The judge confronted junior prosecutor Daniel Rosenblum with pointed questions about whether former interim U.S. attorney Alina Habba maintains hidden operational control.
When Coyne repeatedly interjected, Quraishi warned him, "You don't get to blindside the court and do whatever it is you guys want to do." The judge then grilled prosecutors over a botched plea deal executed without complete evidence. Habba denied ongoing operational involvement, stating she had left her post.
The three-person leadership team of Philip Lamparello, Jordan Fox, and Ari Fontecchio faces mandatory testimony next month after a federal judge ruled their appointments unlawful.
Quraishi concluded by telling prosecutors, "You have lost the confidence and the trust of this court" and the New Jersey legal community.
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