Washington, D.C. — New York Attorney General Letitia James has been indicted in a mortgage fraud case, a development she strongly condemns as politically motivated. The case comes after months of pressure from former President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly called for legal action against James, labeling her and other political opponents as “guilty as hell.”
Details of the Indictment
James, 66, a Democrat and the first Black woman elected to statewide office in New York, is charged with bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. The charges relate to her purchase of a home in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2020.
According to the indictment, James signed a document agreeing to use the property primarily as a second home for personal use, but allegedly rented it out to a family of three. Prosecutors claim this misrepresentation allowed her to receive favorable mortgage terms not available for investment properties.
James has called the indictment “nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.” She insists the charges are baseless and part of a broader effort to retaliate against her successful lawsuits against Trump and his business empire.
Political Context and Controversy
The indictment has drawn national attention due to the unconventional handling of the case. The Trump administration reportedly pushed out veteran federal prosecutor Erik Siebert, replacing him with Lindsey Halligan, a former Trump aide with no prior federal prosecutorial experience, who presented the case to the grand jury.
Attorney Abbe Lowell, representing James, said:
“We are deeply concerned that this case is driven by President Trump’s desire for revenge. When a President can publicly direct charges to be filed against someone, it marks a serious attack on the rule of law.”
Legal and Historical Background
As Attorney General, James previously sued Trump and his companies, winning a substantial civil judgment for fraudulent misrepresentation of real estate values, though an appeals court later reduced the fine.
This indictment follows a similar pattern seen in the case against former FBI Director James Comey, who was charged with lying to Congress in 2020. Legal experts warn that the targeting of James and Comey signals a potential use of law enforcement powers for political retribution.
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Next Steps
James is scheduled to appear in federal court in Norfolk, Virginia, on October 24. Her legal team plans to vigorously contest the charges, arguing that the allegations are vindictive and politically motivated.
Prosecutors maintain that the charges represent intentional criminal acts and significant breaches of public trust, emphasizing that “no one is above the law.”