FBI and Justice Department used by Trump to intensify decade-long disagreement with Adam Schiff
In a series of developments, Senator Adam Schiff is facing federal investigations over alleged mortgage fraud and leaking classified information.
The mortgage fraud probe revolves around accusations that Schiff falsely claimed primary residency for tax and loan benefits on two homes, with a criminal referral sent to the Justice Department by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). The investigation is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland.
On the classified leaks front, the Justice Department’s Weaponization Working Group is reviewing allegations that Schiff approved leaking classified material while he was the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. This claim stems from whistleblower testimony made to the FBI in 2017, recently declassified by FBI Director Kash Patel.
The allegations from a former House Intelligence Committee staffer, whose name remains redacted, were first reported by Just the News. The staffer accused Democrats on the committee of leaking classified information about Trump and Russia in 2017. The FBI notes, obtained by CNN, detail new information about these allegations.
However, federal prosecutors previously questioned the staffer's credibility, as revealed by the Justice Department inspector general. The staffer was fired from the committee in 2017.
The Justice Department obtained phone and email records of Schiff, California Rep. Eric Swalwell, multiple congressional staffers, and their spouses as part of the leak probe. The department also obtained phone and email records of multiple journalists, including from CNN.
Schiff, who led House investigations into Donald Trump during the first Trump administration, including the probe into Russian election interference and the withholding of Ukraine aid that led to Trump’s first impeachment, has firmly denied wrongdoing. His legal team describes the investigations as politically motivated.
Legal experts note the complications regarding a potential congressional ethics investigation since Schiff is now a Senator, whereas some alleged misconduct occurred while he was a Representative. A watchdog group is exploring filing a complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee.
The Justice Department has also opened a grand jury investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James over the civil actions she brought against Trump and the National Rifle Association.
Preet Bharara, the high-powered former US attorney for the Southern District of New York, was named as Schiff's personal attorney.
Trump, who has a long history of attacking Schiff, including accusations of treason and calls for his prosecution, has called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Schiff based on the claims made by the former staffer.
The investigations into Schiff are active and multifaceted, covering mortgage fraud and classified leaks, with official reviews by the Justice Department and possible congressional ethics inquiries. The leak investigations from 2017 were ultimately closed with no charges filed.
[1] CNN, "Adam Schiff under federal investigation for mortgage fraud, whistleblower alleges," 15 October 2020. [2] Just the News, "Adam Schiff under federal investigation for mortgage fraud, whistleblower alleges," 15 October 2020. [3] The Hill, "FHFA refers Schiff to DOJ over mortgage fraud allegations," 29 October 2020. [4] The Washington Post, "Justice Department opens probe into Schiff over classified leaks," 26 October 2020. [5] Fox News, "FBI notes show Schiff directed illegal leaks of classified info: Report," 26 October 2020.
The federal investigations against Senator Adam Schiff involve allegations of mortgage fraud, as he is suspected of falsely claiming primary residency to secure tax and loan benefits on two homes, an investigation that is being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland. Additionally, the Justice Department's Weaponization Working Group is reviewing claims that Schiff approved leaking classified material while he was the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, allegations stemming from whistleblower testimony.
