Prosecutor Steps Off Comey Case As Legal Challenges Mount

Court records also show Petracca has withdrawn from several other criminal cases in recent days.

According to NBC News, Petracca had considered leaving the Justice Department altogether before ultimately returning after taking a week off.

Neither Petracca nor the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the change.

The office is led by U.S. Attorney W. Ellis Boyle, who oversaw the controversial prosecution.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo has now assumed primary responsibility for the case.

Recent communications between prosecutors and Comey’s legal team were reportedly handled by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Phil Aubart rather than Petracca.