The Department of Justice has taken a firm stance in the ongoing investigation of Senator Adam Schiff of California, addressing recent rumors about the strength of the case. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has "unequivocally" denied claims that the case against Schiff for alleged mortgage fraud is not strong, countering a narrative that emerged following a tweet from MSNBC justice and intelligence reporter Ken Dilanian.
According to Dilanian, Maryland’s U.S. Attorney Kelly Hayes purportedly met with Blanche and expressed that the case against Schiff was “not strong.” However, Blanche quickly refuted this account in a tweet, labeling the meeting as "made-up" and clarifying that no such statement was made by Hayes.
The controversy began when Dilanian tweeted that Hayes believed the case "cannot be won" and should not proceed. This assertion was strongly denied by Blanche, who took to social media to correct the record. The Conservative Brief reported that Schiff, who served as both ranking member and chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, is under scrutiny for listing both his California and Maryland homes as his "principal residence" on mortgage and election filings in 2024, which could suggest potential fraud.
Senator Schiff's legal counsel, former federal prosecutor Preet Bharara, has also spoken out, dismissing the allegations as politically charged and lacking in evidence. Bharara argued that career prosecutors have reviewed the claims against Schiff and found them to be baseless.
The investigation into Schiff's activities was prompted by a letter from FHFA Director William Pulte to Blanche and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Pulte outlined alleged misconduct by Schiff, including falsifying bank documents and property records to obtain more favorable loan terms, with impacts spanning from 2003 to 2019. A memo from Fannie Mae financial crimes investigators further alleged a "sustained pattern of possible occupancy misrepresentation" across five Fannie Mae loans.
Senator Schiff has been a controversial figure, particularly for his role in promoting the Trump-Russia collusion narrative and his reliance on the discredited Christopher Steele dossier. In 2017, he read unverified claims from the dossier into the congressional record, and there have been reports of Schiff authorizing leaks of classified information to harm President Trump. These claims were supported by FBI memos provided to Congress by Director Kash Patel.
The investigation into Schiff's alleged mortgage fraud is part of a wider context of high-profile probes that have become politically charged. The DOJ's stance on the case remains firm, despite the recent media controversy. Observers note the sensitivity surrounding DOJ communications and the impact of media claims on public perception.
As the Maryland investigation continues, no changes in the DOJ's approach to pursuing the case have been indicated. The dispute over the strength of the case against Senator Schiff underscores the ongoing partisan tensions and the scrutiny faced by prominent political figures.
