White House names new pick for Nevada top federal prosecutor

Last week the White House announced the nomination of a Las Vegas attorney for U.S. Attorney of the District of Nevada

LAS VEGAS -- The Trump administration has selected a new candidate for Nevada's top federal prosecutor after challenges to its first pick's eligibility, marking another setback in the president's efforts to appoint U.S. attorneys who can't win Senate approval.

Last week the White House announced its nomination of George Kelesis, a longtime criminal defense attorney in Nevada. If confirmed, he would replace Sigal Chattah, who was appointed to the position last March and whose eligibility to serve is now under review by an appeals court.

Chattah is one of several Trump nominees for U.S. attorney who was not confirmed and courts have determined cannot legally hold the job. Appointees in New Jersey and Virginia have recently left those jobs over similar eligibility questions, but another in California remains as the office's top prosecutor with a different title.

Chattah declined to comment.

U.S. attorneys, the top federal prosecutors around the country, typically require Senate confirmation but the law does permit the U.S. attorney general to make temporary appointments.