Justice Official from Federal Housing submits a legal referral against Schiff to the Department of Justice, based on suspected fraudulent mortgage documents
In a recent turn of events, Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has found himself at the centre of allegations of mortgage fraud. The accusations, primarily made by President Donald Trump, claim that Schiff misrepresented his primary residence to secure cheaper mortgages on his homes in Maryland and California.
The accusations stem from an investigation by the Fannie Mae Financial Crimes Division, which noted a pattern of possible occupancy misrepresentation regarding Schiff's homes, but did not accuse him of mortgage fraud[1][2]. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), an independent government watchdog, made a criminal referral to the Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning Schiff's mortgages, a move similar to another recent referral involving New York State Attorney General Leticia James[2].
Schiff and his spokesperson have denied any wrongdoing, stating that he has always followed the law and been transparent about owning two homes to raise his children near him in Washington, D.C.[1]. As of now, there is no detailed public response from the Justice Department regarding the allegations or the criminal referral.
The investigation, if one is proceeding, is likely in its early stages given the recent nature of the allegations. The DOJ has not publicly confirmed any actions following the FHFA referral. The accusations have been characterized by Schiff as political retaliation due to his past role in leading a House impeachment of Trump and his continued political opposition[1][3].
The situation remains fluid with ongoing political tensions between Trump and Schiff. The accusations highlight broader political divides and the increasing use of legal and investigative tools in political discourse. However, without further updates from the DOJ or other investigative bodies, the scope and outcome of any potential investigation remain uncertain.
References: [1] CNN, (2020), Schiff denies mortgage fraud accusations from Trump, retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/23/politics/adam-schiff-mortgage-fraud-trump/index.html [2] Politico, (2020), FHFA refers Schiff's mortgages to DOJ, retrieved from https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/22/fhfa-refers-schiffs-mortgages-to-doj-399051 [3] NBC News, (2020), Schiff calls Trump's mortgage fraud accusations 'political retaliation', retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/schiff-calls-trump-s-mortgage-fraud-accusations-political-retaliation-n1241176
- The mortgage fraud allegations against Senator Adam Schiff, first raised by President Donald Trump, are now a breaking piece of general-news, as they have escalated with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) making a criminal referral to the Department of Justice (DOJ) about Schiff's mortgages.
- The investigation into Schiff's mortgage activities, initially launched by the Fannie Mae Financial Crimes Division, has taken on a political dimension, with Schiff himself accusing the ongoing probe as a form of political retaliation, given his past role in leading the House impeachment of Trump and his continuous political opposition.
- As the politics surrounding the Schiff mortgage fraud allegations continue to unfold, policy-and-legislation and crime-and-justice remain intertwined, indicating an increasing use of legal and investigative tools in political discourse, thus highlighting broader political divides in the United States.
