New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) has been indicted by a federal grand jury on a fraud charge, the second prominent adversary of President Trump to face criminal charges after he vowed to seek retribution against his perceived enemies.
The indictment came in the Eastern District of Virginia following an investigation into allegations of mortgage fraud, according to the Associated Press, who cited an anonymous source.
James landed in Trump’s crossfire after taking on his business empire for civil fraud.
She won a nearly $500 million judgment against him, after a judge found Trump and other defendants inflated his net worth for tax and insurance benefits, putting the president’s billionaire status and company at risk.
The allegations against James originated with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), whose director, Bill Pulte, filed a criminal referral against her in April.
He alleged that she claimed a Virginia home as her primary residence while holding public office in New York and residing there.
“At the time of the 2023 Norfolk, VA property purchase and mortgage, Ms. James was the siting Attorney General of New York and is required by law to have her primary residence in the state of New York — even though her mortgage applications list her intent to have the Norfolk, VA property as her primary home,” the criminal referral said.
“It appears Ms. James’ property and mortgage-related misrepresentations may have continued to her recent 2023 Norfolk, VA property purchase in order to secure a lower interest rate and more favorable loan terms,” it continued.
Pulte filed similar criminal referrals against Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Federal Reserve board of governors member Lisa Cook.
In Cook’s case, Trump used the referral as cause for her removal, which she has challenged up to the Supreme Court. Arguments over the matter are scheduled for January.
The charge comes just two weeks after former FBI Director James Comey, another longtime Trump foe, was indicted on two felony counts stemming from congressional testimony he gave in 2020.
Comey made his first court appearance Wednesday in Alexandria, Va., where he entered a not guilty plea through his attorney and a trial was set for Jan. 5. However, Comey’s attorney signaled that several defense motions will seek to kill the prosecution before then.
The Associated Press contributed.
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