<h1>Federal Reserve governor asks to block emergency removal over alleged pre-office fraud, warns independence and economy at risk</h1> A Federal Reserve governor asked a US appeals court to deny the administration's emergency request to stay a lower court ruling that barred removal without cause, arguing the administration failed to show grounds for firing and that permitting removal would threaten Fed independence and the economy. The administration contends alleged pre-office mortgage fraud undermines the governor's trustworthiness; the governor denies the charges and sued to block removal. A district judge held that firing is limited to misconduct while in office. The appeals court set a rapid response deadline; if reversed the governor would be ousted pending appeal and could miss a near-term Fed rate decision.