Title: Federal Investigation Launched Against NY Attorney General on Mortgage Fraud Accusations
Investigation Commencement: U.S. Department of Justice Launches Criminal Probe on New York's District Attorney General - Criminal examination launched by U.S. Justice Department against New York's top legal official
Let's dive into the juicy details of a recent investigation that's causing quite a stir. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has recently launched a criminal probe into New York Attorney General Letitia James, with allegations surrounding mortgage fraud on her real estate deals.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the DoJ's main office in Washington, D.C., along with the Albany FBI field office, are leading the investigation. This probe follows a criminal referral from William Pulte, a director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) appointed during the Trump administration [1][2][3].
Dating back over decades, the allegations suggest that Letitia James has falsified bank documents and property records to secure government-backed loans with better terms [1][2][3]. Key accusations include misrepresenting a single-family home in Norfolk, Virginia, as her primary residence, and inflating the number of livable units in a Brooklyn brownstone to qualify for loan restrictions [1][2][3].
There's also a claim that in 1983, James' father signed mortgage documents stating falsely that he and James' mother were married [2].
Now, let's add some context to this investigative mess. Recently, James led a high-profile civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump, securing a judgment of around half a billion dollars [1][2][3]. Critics argue that Trump's public criticism of James may have fueled this probe, with James' legal team branding the investigation as politically motivated retribution [1][2][3].
No public comments have been made by the DoJ or FBI regarding the investigation, and subpoenas have supposedly been issued by a grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia [1].As this unfolds, it marks a striking development in a federal criminal investigation targeting a state attorney general involved in high-profile litigation against a former president [1][2][3].
Sources:
- [1] Washington Post, May 2025, "Justice Department Opens Criminal Investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James."
- [2] Guardian Media Group, May 2025, "Trump critics say FBI investigation of NY AG is politically motivated."
- [3] FBI website, Accessed May 2025, "FBI Albany Field Office."
- The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) is investigating New York Attorney General Letitia James for allegedly falsifying bank documents and property records in mortgage fraud cases dating back decades.
- The investigation, led by the FBI and the DoJ's main office in Washington, D.C., along with the Albany FBI field office, follows a criminal referral from William Pulte, a director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) appointed during the Trump administration.
- Key accusations include misrepresenting a single-family home in Norfolk, Virginia, as James' primary residence, and inflating the number of livable units in a Brooklyn brownstone to qualify for loan restrictions.
- The civil suit against former President Donald Trump by James may have contributed to the investigation, with James' legal team claiming the investigation is politically motivated retribution.
