Letitia James hit with mortgage fraud indictment
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New York Attorney General Letitia James has been indicted for mortgage fraud, in a case critics say is driven by Donald Trump’s push for political retribution.
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Attorney General of New York, Letitia James, smiles during an inauguration ceremony in New York, on January 6, 2019. (AP)
New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted Thursday on charges of mortgage fraud, in a case widely seen by critics as an act of political retribution encouraged by President Donald Trump. The charges, which stem from a 2020 home purchase in Norfolk, Virginia, include bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.
James, a Democrat, gained national prominence for her investigations and lawsuits targeting Trump’s business dealings. The indictment, brought by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, alleges that James misrepresented the intended use of the property to receive favorable loan terms.
According to the indictment, James signed a "second home rider" stating she would use the Norfolk home primarily for personal use for at least one year. Instead, prosecutors allege that she rented the property to a family of three, making it an investment property in violation of the loan terms.
The case marks a sharp departure from typical prosecutorial norms. Lindsey Halligan, a former White House aide and lawyer for Trump with no previous federal prosecutorial experience, led the presentation of the case to a grand jury. Her appointment followed the abrupt removal of Erik Siebert, the veteran prosecutor previously overseeing the case, who had resisted pressure to bring charges.
Halligan also led the recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, who was charged with lying to Congress, another case critics say was politically motivated.
A person familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Halligan personally presented both the James and Comey cases to the grand jury, raising concerns about the Justice Department’s independence.
James denounces case as political weaponization
In a statement, James condemned the charges, calling them “a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.”
She said, “These charges are baseless, and the president’s own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost,” adding, “The president’s actions are a grave violation of our Constitutional order.”
Her attorney, Abbe Lowell, said James “flatly and forcefully denies these charges,” and warned that “this case is driven by President Trump’s desire for revenge.”
Her indictment follows similar moves against public officials who have investigated or opposed Trump in the past. Comey made his first court appearance this week and is expected to seek dismissal of the charges. The Justice Department has also launched investigations into mortgage-related allegations against Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook and Representative Adam Schiff, both frequent Trump critics.
James is scheduled to appear in federal court in Norfolk, Virginia, on October 24. She is expected to plead not guilty. Her defense team, led by Lowell, indicated plans to challenge the charges as a politically motivated misuse of prosecutorial power.
While the case proceeds, critics and supporters alike see it as a potential test of the rule of law under an administration accused of turning federal power against political enemies.
