Pirro drops appeal plan in Fed investigation of Powell

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro has asked a federal judge to vacate rulings that blocked parts of her criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. The move means she is no longer planning to appeal the judge’s decisions to a higher court. The investigation centers on cost overruns in the Fed’s building renovations and Powell’s related testimony to Congress. Judge James Boasberg previously quashed subpoenas issued by Pirro’s office, saying the government had not shown enough evidence of wrongdoing and noting signs the probe may have been used to pressure Powell over interest rates. Pirro’s latest filing does not appear to end the legal dispute. Powell has said he plans to remain on the Fed’s Board of Governors after his chair term ends later this month unless the legal threat is resolved. Pirro has also said she may reopen the investigation depending on a report from the Fed’s inspector general.