\Edited by: TJVNews.com

New York State Attorney General Letitia James, currently under federal scrutiny for alleged mortgage fraud, called the accusations “baseless” and dismissed them as political retaliation from the Trump administration in a combative television appearance on Thursday.

James, who recently secured a $450 million civil fraud judgment against President Trump and his business associates, now finds herself on the other side of the legal spotlight. As reported by The New York Post on Thursday, she appeared on Spectrum NY1’s “Inside City Hall” to address — or rather, strategically deflect — mounting questions over the criminal referral filed by the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) earlier this week.

According to the information provided in The New York Post report, the FHFA’s referral, submitted to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, accuses James of falsifying mortgage documents and property records in both New York and Virginia in order to obtain better loan terms.

Specifically, the charges focus on two properties: A Brownstone in Brooklyn — Allegedly misrepresented as a four-unit building instead of the five units officially listed in its Certificate of Occupancy. This discrepancy may have allowed James to qualify for certain residential loan programs, including HAMP, which exclude properties with more than four units.

A Home in Norfolk, Virginia — A property co-purchased with her niece, where documents signed under power of attorney explicitly stated that James intended to occupy the residence as her primary home. Critics note that such a declaration could constitute a false statement to a lender if, as many suspect, James has never actually lived there.

As The New York Post detailed earlier this week, neighbors in Norfolk reportedly told the publication they had never seen James at the property. Furthermore, the $219,000 mortgage on the Virginia home was notably absent from her 2023 ethics filings in New York, raising additional questions about transparency and financial disclosure compliance.

Faced with mounting questions, James chose a defensive posture during her NY1 interview. “Let me just say to all New Yorkers and to all Americans: the allegations are baseless. The allegations are nothing more than a revenge tour,” she told political anchor Errol Louis.

But when Louis pressed her specifically on the five-unit versus four-unit discrepancy in her Brooklyn property — a core element of the federal referral — James demurred, citing her legal background. “As you know, as any good attorney, I will not litigate this case in a camera. It is important that we respond to these allegations at the appropriate time and in an appropriate way,” she said, as was reported by The New York Post.

She also criticized the media for what she described as “harassment,” calling out reporters who were “camped out” in front of her Brooklyn residence and that of her relatives in Virginia. “I will not be silenced, I will not be bullied, I will not bend, I will not break, and I will not bow to anyone,” she proclaimed.

James cast herself as one of many being targeted by the Trump administration in what she characterized as a sweeping “revenge tour” against political adversaries. “My office was successful in securing a $450 million judgment against Donald Trump and others for exaggerating the value of his assets,” she noted, according to The New York Post report, implying that the federal investigation into her real estate dealings is payback for her successful prosecution.

Still, her refusal to directly answer questions about specific legal documents and discrepancies — particularly those exposed in official land records and mortgage filings — has only intensified public interest and skepticism. As The New York Post reported, the AG’s evasiveness has raised eyebrows, especially given that she built her political brand on transparency, accountability, and the mantra that “no one is above the law.”

Critics argue that James’ current predicament is a mirror image of the very accusations she leveled at Trump: namely, the use of false or misleading information in financial filings to obtain favorable treatment from banks.

The criminal referral to the DOJ represents a significant escalation, even if James has not yet been formally charged. While her supporters claim the investigation is politically motivated, legal experts suggest the allegations are serious and warrant careful review. The report in The New York Post noted that making knowingly false statements on mortgage applications — especially those involving federally regulated lending — can carry severe penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 1014.

Meanwhile, political opponents have seized on the controversy as evidence of hypocrisy and a double standard in James’ approach to justice. The New York Post reported indicated that House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik and other critics have called for a full investigation and, if warranted, prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.

James continues to assert that her office remains focused on “freedom, liberties, and the rule of law,” but the coming weeks could test that commitment as she navigates an unprecedented legal and political challenge of her own making.

Letitia James, once hailed by progressives as the standard-bearer for accountability and legal reform, now finds herself under federal scrutiny for the same types of conduct she claimed to oppose. Whether the allegations are politically motivated or legally substantial, one truth remains: in the eyes of the law, as she once famously declared, “no one is above the law.” That includes the New York Attorney General.

FACTS IN THE LETITIA JAMES CASE

​New York Attorney General Letitia James is under federal investigation following allegations of mortgage fraud related to properties in Virginia and Brooklyn. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has referred the case to the Department of Justice, citing concerns over potential misrepresentations in mortgage documents and financial disclosures.​

In August 2023, James signed a notarized power of attorney stating her intent to occupy a Norfolk, Virginia property as her “principal residence.” This declaration was made while she was serving as New York’s Attorney General, a position that requires residency in New York. The mortgage agreement for the Virginia property stipulated that the borrower must occupy the residence within 60 days and maintain it as a primary residence for at least one year. However, public records indicate that James continued her official duties in New York during this period, raising questions about the accuracy of her declaration.​

James’s Brooklyn property at 296 Lafayette Avenue is officially classified as a five-unit dwelling according to the Certificate of Occupancy issued in 2001. Despite this, multiple filings, including mortgage applications and Department of Buildings permits, have listed the property as having only four units. This discrepancy could have allowed James to secure more favorable mortgage terms, as properties with four or fewer units often qualify for different financing options.​

Further scrutiny has been directed at James’s financial disclosures. Reports suggest that certain mortgages, including one for the Virginia property, were not listed in her official disclosures, potentially violating state requirements for public officials to report significant debts. Additionally, inconsistencies have been noted in the reporting of rental income and the classification of loans across different years.​

James’s office has acknowledged the FHFA’s referral but has characterized the investigation as politically motivated. A spokesperson stated that the Attorney General is focused on her duties and will address any inquiries through appropriate legal channels. The Department of Justice has not commented on the matter, and the investigation is ongoing.​

The allegations against James raise significant concerns about the adherence to legal and ethical standards by public officials. As the state’s top legal officer, any substantiated misconduct could have serious ramifications for her career and the public’s trust in the office she holds. Observers await further developments as the investigation proceeds.