New York Attorney General Letitia James, a vocal critic of U.S. President Donald Trump, has been charged with criminal offenses, including bank fraud, by the U.S. Justice Department. The charges, announced by Lindsey Halligan, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, consist of one count of bank fraud and one count of providing false information to a lending institution. These charges stem from an investigation into mortgage fraud allegations against James.
Halligan emphasized that the alleged actions by James are deliberate criminal acts that betray the public’s trust. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, with the final sentence to be determined by a judge if James is found guilty.
Responding to the indictment, James condemned it as a continuation of President Trump’s misuse of the justice system for political purposes. She dismissed the charges as unfounded and accused the president of seeking political retaliation. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York criticized the indictment, labeling it as an abuse of power by the Justice Department to target those holding the powerful accountable.
The indictment of James follows the recent indictment of former FBI director James Comey on charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation. Trump has been critical of Comey’s handling of the FBI’s investigation into Russian contacts during the 2016 campaign.
Both indictments were brought by Halligan, who assumed the role of top federal prosecutor in Alexandria, Virginia, following the resignation of her predecessor, Erik Siebert. Siebert stepped down after Trump expressed a desire to replace him. James strongly criticized the decision to replace Siebert with a prosecutor perceived as loyal to the president, highlighting the erosion of fundamental principles in the country.
James, known for her legal actions against the Trump family, faced a civil fraud case resulting in a substantial penalty against Trump. Despite legal challenges, the case has remained contentious, with ongoing appeals.
The Justice Department’s investigation into mortgage fraud allegations against James was prompted by a complaint from Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte, accusing James of manipulating records to secure favorable loans for properties in Virginia and New York. James’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, defended her actions, stating that any misrepresentation regarding the property’s use as a primary residence was unintentional.
The Justice Department has also initiated mortgage fraud probes into other prominent figures, including Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook. While no charges have been filed against them, they have denied any wrongdoing. The investigation raises questions about the lenders’ assessment of the properties’ intended use and its impact on mortgage rates.
Overall, the indictment of Letitia James underscores the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and its critics within the legal system, highlighting the political and legal battles that continue to unfold.