NY AG Letitia James indicted for bank fraud, false statements tied to Norfolk mortgage
New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted by an Eastern District of Virginia federal grand jury on Oct. 9, 2025, on two counts—one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution—accused of misrepresenting a Norfolk, Va., home as a second residence to obtain a favorable mortgage while renting it to a family. The public indictment, released amid recent leadership turmoil in EDVA and related prosecutions, has prompted sharp partisan reactions; James and her attorney deny wrongdoing and call the case political retaliation, while prosecutors say the counts carry up to 30 years in prison, hefty fines, and possible forfeiture.
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📌 Key Facts
- A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia indicted New York Attorney General Letitia James on Oct. 9, 2025, on two counts: one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution.
- The indictment alleges James misrepresented a Norfolk, Va., home as a second residence to secure a favorable mortgage while actually renting the property to a family of three.
- The full EDVA indictment document has been published publicly (reported via CBS/PBS/AP/Scribd).
- EDVA U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan said the charges carry up to 30 years in prison per count, up to $1 million in fines per count, and potential forfeiture, and stated “No one is above the law… intentional, criminal acts and tremendous breaches of the public’s trust.”
- Letitia James denies wrongdoing, calling the case “weaponization” and “political retribution”; her attorney Abbe David Lowell also alleges political retaliation.
- Observers noted the indictment’s timing amid turmoil in EDVA — including the departure of U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert after pressure over not bringing charges in related matters — and that former FBI Director James Comey was indicted last month following Siebert’s resignation.
- Background context: James had previously won a $367 million civil fraud judgment against Donald Trump that was later reversed, and Trump issued subpoenas to her office this year.
- The indictment prompted a sharp partisan split: Republicans (e.g., Elise Stefanik, Marjorie Taylor Greene) voiced support for the charges while Democrats (e.g., Ritchie Torres, Jerry Nadler, Gov. Kathy Hochul) denounced them; NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani defended James as a “champion for justice.”
📰 Sources (6)
New York AG Letitia James' indictment sparks sharp partisan divide
New information:
- EDVA U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan stated on the record that the charges carry up to 30 years in prison per count, up to a $1 million fine on each count, and potential forfeiture.
- Halligan’s quote: “No one is above the law… intentional, criminal acts and tremendous breaches of the public’s trust.”
- Letitia James’ response labeling the case “political retribution” was reiterated with a new on‑the‑record statement.
- New partisan reaction roundup: support from Republicans Elise Stefanik and Marjorie Taylor Greene; denunciations from Democrats Ritchie Torres, Jerry Nadler, and Gov. Kathy Hochul; NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani called James a “champion for justice.”
Read the full Letitia James indictment
New information:
- Identifies the exact charges: one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution.
- Details the alleged scheme: misrepresenting a Norfolk, Va. home as a second residence to obtain a favorable mortgage, while renting it to a family of three.
- Publishes the full indictment document (via CBS/Scribd).
- Includes a detailed denial from James’ attorney Abbe David Lowell, who alleges political retaliation.
Read the Trump administration’s full indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James
New information:
- PBS/AP published the full EDVA indictment document for public review.
- Includes Letitia James’ on‑the‑record statement calling the case 'weaponization' and denying wrongdoing.
- Article reiterates the charges (bank fraud and false statements) and notes the mortgage‑fraud probe context.
Read: N.Y. AG Letitia James' indicted on 2 charges
New information:
- Axios report specifies the indictment contains two charges.
- Confirms the action was taken by a federal grand jury tied to EDVA on Oct. 9, 2025.
New York AG Letitia James indicted for alleged fraud
New information:
- Axios ties the indictment’s timing to turmoil in the Eastern District of Virginia, noting U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert left under pressure from President Trump after not bringing charges against James and Comey.
- Adds context that Comey was indicted last month after Siebert’s resignation.
- Notes James previously won a $367 million civil fraud judgment against Trump that was later reversed, and that Trump issued subpoenas to her office this year.