New York Attorney General Letitia James has reportedly been indicted on at least one count of alleged fraud, marking a significant development in the political landscape. This indictment positions James as the second prominent political figure to face legal action within two weeks, following President Donald Trump's public demand for the Justice Department to initiate charges against his political adversaries, according to sources familiar with the matter. The specifics of the indictment remain sealed as of Thursday afternoon.
Sources indicate that U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsey Halligan, presented evidence to a federal grand jury on Thursday, seeking an indictment related to mortgage fraud against James. A spokesperson for James' legal team has chosen not to comment on the situation when approached by ABC News.
Halligan was appointed U.S. attorney by Trump after he removed her predecessor, Erik Siebert. Sources claim that Siebert had reservations about pursuing cases against James and former FBI Director James Comey. According to earlier reports by ABC News, career prosecutors in Virginia, including Siebert, concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove that James knowingly committed mortgage fraud during her home purchase in 2023. Despite this, Trump administration officials pressed Siebert to pursue criminal charges against her.
In September, Trump expressed his suspicions regarding James, stating, “It looks to me like James is very guilty of something, but I really don't know,” during a press briefing in the Oval Office. As the New York Attorney General, James previously achieved a civil fraud victory against Trump last year and is currently overseeing multiple lawsuits that challenge his administration's policies.
Trump administration representatives have contended that James committed mortgage fraud based on claims that one of the documents associated with her 2023 home purchase incorrectly indicated that the property would serve as her primary residence. The investigation into these allegations commenced after Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, submitted a criminal referral regarding James to the DOJ in April.
However, investigators later determined that a crucial document—a limited power of attorney form that allowed James' niece to sign documents on her behalf during the home closing—was not considered by the loan officers who approved the mortgage, according to sources.
Last month, Halligan also brought an indictment against Comey, charging him with making a false statement and obstruction concerning his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2020. This indictment came shortly after Trump publicly urged the Justice Department to take action against Comey, James, and California Senator Adam Schiff.
In a social media post that directly addressed Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump expressed frustration, stating, “Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam 'Shifty' Schiff, and Leticia??? We can't delay any longer; it's killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice and indicted me five times, OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”
The unfolding situation surrounding Letitia James and the associated legal battles continues to captivate public interest, raising questions about the intersection of politics and law in today's climate.
