What are the charges against Letitia James? NY attorney general faces mortgage fraud claims after prosecuting Trump

New York Attorney General Letitia James , known for leading the civil fraud case against US president Donald Trump , is now facing serious mortgage fraud allegations. US media said on Wednesday that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has referred the case to the US Department of Justice.

A letter from FHFA director, William Pulte, addressed to US attorney general Pam Bondi, alleges that James may have committed mortgage fraud by misrepresenting details in loan applications for properties in Virginia and New York.

The allegations state that in August 2023, while still serving as New York’s attorney general, James applied for a mortgage on a home in Norfolk, Virginia, falsely listing it as her “principal residence.” According to New York law, James is required to maintain her primary residence in the state while in office.

James, a prominent legal adversary of president Donald Trump, led the civil fraud lawsuit that resulted in a $454 million judgment against Donald Trump and his sons in 2024.

What are the charges against Letitia James?

• False declaration of residence: James allegedly claimed a Virginia property was her main home, which contradicts residency laws tied to her role in New York.
• Misrepresentation of property details: It is claimed that James bought a five-unit dwelling in Brooklyn in 2001 but repeatedly declared it as a four-unit property in various permits and loan applications.
• False information on joint ownership: It's alleged that in older documents from the 1980s and 2000s, James and her father are said to have co-signed mortgage papers while claiming to be “husband and wife.”

In response, James’s office issued a defiant statement, accusing the Trump administration of weaponising the federal government: "Attorney General James is focused every single day on protecting New Yorkers, especially as this administration weaponises the federal government against the rule of law and the constitution. She will not be intimidated by bullies -- no matter who they are."

The charges come as part of a wider pattern of retaliation by Trump since returning to the White House in January. The president has openly spoken about targeting those he sees as political enemies. His recent removals of justice department and FBI officials tied to his earlier legal troubles are viewed as part of that push.