New York AG Letitia James Indicted by Justice Department
New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted in Alexandria, Virginia, on Thursday by the Justice Department under President Donald Trump. The charges stem from a 2023 mortgage she obtained for a home in Norfolk, Virginia.
The indictment includes two felony charges: bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. James is set to appear in court on October 24 in Norfolk.
Prosecutors allege that James misrepresented the property in Norfolk as her secondary residence on mortgage documents to secure more favorable loan terms. They claim she rented out the property instead of using it as her second home, which would have qualified her for the terms she received.
The indictment states that James benefited from a lower mortgage rate by misrepresenting the property as a secondary residence, resulting in improper gains of $18,933 over the loan's duration.
President Trump has been vocal about pursuing legal action against his political opponents. Former FBI Director James Comey recently pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements, and investigations have been opened into other figures, including John Bolton and Senator Adam Schiff.
In response to the charges, Letitia James criticized Trump's use of the justice system for political purposes, calling the allegations baseless and a form of political retribution.
James has a history of legal disputes with Trump, including a civil fraud case in which a judge found Trump and his business liable for fraud. The penalties were later overturned, and Trump is appealing the verdict.
The investigation into James had initially faced challenges in gathering enough evidence for criminal charges. However, following pressure from Trump, the lead prosecutor resigned, and charges were eventually brought against James.
James' attorneys have contested the allegations, arguing that the property in Norfolk was never intended to be her primary residence, as evidenced by documents submitted to the Justice Department.
The case continues to develop, with additional updates pending.