New York Attorney General Letitia James, a known adversary of President Donald Trump, has been charged with bank fraud and making false statements on a mortgage application, the Justice Department announced. The indictment, issued by a grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, alleges that James misrepresented her intention to use a property in Norfolk, Virginia, as her secondary residence when it was actually an investment property. This misrepresentation purportedly allowed her to secure a lower interest rate, resulting in savings of approximately $19,000 over the loan’s term.
In response to the charges, James, a Democrat, affirmed her commitment to her role as New York State’s top law enforcement official and condemned the allegations as part of the president’s misuse of the justice system for personal gain. Lindsey Halligan, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, described the charges as intentional criminal acts that eroded public trust.
A federal judge has scheduled James’ initial court appearance for October 24 in Norfolk. President Trump, a Republican, has frequently criticized James on social media and during political events, labeling her as a partisan opponent. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer characterized Trump’s actions as an abuse of power, using the Justice Department to target his adversaries.
The indictment against James follows a similar case involving former FBI Director James Comey, who pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation. Both cases were initiated by Halligan, who took over as the lead federal prosecutor in Alexandria after her predecessor resigned following pressure from Trump. Comey’s defense team is expected to challenge Halligan’s appointment as unlawful, potentially affecting the outcomes of the cases against both Comey and James.
Letitia James is well-known for her legal battles against the Trump administration, including a civil fraud case that resulted in a substantial penalty against Trump for fraudulent practices related to his real estate company. Despite a court decision overturning part of the penalty, the case remains in litigation. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing and accused James of pursuing legal action for political reasons. James’ attorney, Abbe Lowell, expressed concerns that the case was motivated by Trump’s desire for retaliation and vowed to vigorously defend against the charges.
The Justice Department’s investigation into mortgage fraud involving James was initiated following a criminal referral from William Pulte, a Trump appointee. Similar probes have been launched into other Trump critics, including Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook, although no charges have been filed against them. Both Schiff and Cook have denied any illegal activities.