Source Says Number Two U.S. Justice Department Official Plans To Step Down

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The No. 2 official at the U.S. Justice Department, Deputy Attorney General James Cole, is planning to step down from his post, a person familiar with his plans told Reuters on Thursday.

Cole's departure is the latest in a series from top officials at the agency, including Attorney General Eric Holder who last month announced plans to leave the department.

After Holder's announcement, rumors about his replacement centered on two other officials -Labor Secretary Tom Perez and US Solicitor General Donald Verrilli. However, on Tuesday, Bloomberg reported former White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler had "emerged as President Barack Obama's preferred candidate."

A Justice Department spokeswoman declined comment to Reuters.

(Reuters reporting by Aruna Viswanatha; Editing by Susan Heavey)