Carol Casto will continue to lead the U.S. Attorney's Office in West Virginia's Southern District for at least 120 more days.
Casto, who was first assistant under former U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin, took over the office when Goodwin stepped down at the end of last year to run for governor.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Friday appointed Casto to become interim U.S. attorney for 120 days -- unless a presidential appointment is made first, which is unlikely because the end of President Barack Obama's term is approaching.
If the 120-day appointment expires without a presidential appointment, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia may appoint a United States Attorney until the vacancy is filled, a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office states.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., has recommended that President Barack Obama nominate Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ruby to become the next U.S. Attorney for West Virginia's Southern District. A spokeswoman for Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said in February that Capito would support that nomination "pending appropriate vetting."
It's ultimately the president's decision on who he nominates to replace Goodwin. The U.S. Senate then must confirm the nominee.