Federal authorities focus on New York's attorney general, a prominent critic of former President Trump. Here's the key details you need.
New York Attorney General Letitia James finds herself at the centre of an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding allegations of mortgage fraud. This probe, led by a special prosecutor, is separate from her well-known lawsuits against Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association (NRA).
James, who made history as the first Black woman elected to statewide office in New York, the state's first Black attorney general, and the first woman elected to the post, has denied all allegations, asserting they are politically motivated.
The mortgage fraud investigation is one of two DOJ probes into James. The other concerns whether she violated Donald Trump’s civil rights in a fraud lawsuit she filed against him. James has also been subpoenaed for records related to these investigations.
Recent indictments of individuals related to "deed theft" and mortgage fraud, announced by AG James’s office, target other defendants, not James herself. The mortgage fraud investigation into James is ongoing, with no public charges filed against her as of now.
James has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump, branding him a "con man" during the 2018 campaign and pledging to shine a "bright light into every dark corner of his real estate dealings." She has sued Trump and his Republican administration dozens of times over his policies as president and his private business empire.
One of James' most notable lawsuits was against the NRA, where she attempted to dissolve the organisation but a judge ruled that the allegations did not warrant a "corporate death penalty." A jury found that the NRA's longtime leader, Wayne LaPierre, misspent millions of dollars and used the organisation's funds to pay for an extravagant lifestyle.
The Justice Department has issued a subpoena for records related to the $454 million civil judgement won by James against President Donald Trump for lying about his wealth. The investigation into James centres on forms she signed in 2023 while helping a niece buy a home in Norfolk, Virginia, with the allegation being that she misrepresented her intention to occupy the home as her principal residence.
Trump's lawyers have repeatedly accused James of engaging in "lawfare" for political purposes, a claim she denies. James' personal attorney, Abbe D. Lowell, called the subpoenas "improper."
In 2024, a New York judge ruled that Trump lied for years about his wealth and ordered him to pay $354.9 million in penalties plus nearly $100 million in interest. A New York judge banned LaPierre from holding a paid position with the NRA for a decade, but declined to appoint an independent monitor to oversee the group.
The subpoena is part of an investigation into whether James violated Trump’s civil rights. The mortgage fraud investigation into James remains active, with the outcome yet to be determined.
- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is conducting an ongoing investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James regarding allegations of mortgage fraud, separate from her lawsuits against Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association (NRA).
- James has had to face two DOJ probes, one regarding mortgage fraud investigations and another concerning whether she violated Donald Trump’s civil rights.
- James has denied all allegations in the investigations, asserting they are politically motivated.
- The mortgage fraud investigation into James is ongoing, with no public charges filed against her as of now.
- James has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump and has sued him and his Republican administration dozens of times over his policies and private business empire.
- One of James' most notable lawsuits was against the NRA, where she attempted to dissolve the organisation, but a judge ruled that the allegations did not warrant a "corporate death penalty."
- The Justice Department has issued a subpoena for records related to James, in connection to an investigation into whether she violated Donald Trump’s civil rights and a $454 million civil judgement won by James against President Donald Trump.
