In a striking accusation, the Federal Housing Finance Agency has issued a criminal referral against New York Attorney General Letitia James. The referral suggests James may have engaged in mortgage fraud by misrepresenting her residential status and property descriptions on loan documents for a home in Virginia and a multi-family building in New York.
According to the document released by the FHFA, James allegedly claimed a Virginia home as her "principal residence" to secure more favorable mortgage terms. Additionally, the referral outlines concerns over James' Brooklyn property, which was allegedly misrepresented as a four-unit building in various applications and documents to meet the requirements for government-backed loans and assistance.
The allegations extend to real estate transactions dating back to the 1980s. It's reported that James, alongside her father, purchased properties, and the documents from those deals erroneously listed them as "husband and wife." These historical discrepancies have cast a shadow over the legitimacy of James' applications for mortgages.
This criminal referral surfaces amidst a turbulent legal standoff between Attorney General James and former President Donald Trump. James has been at the forefront of numerous investigations and legal actions against Trump's business practices. The current development is a significant intensification in their strained relationship.
Just two weeks prior to the referral's release, James made headlines with a fervent speech against Trump. Invoking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she expressed her determination to continue her fight against what she views as Trump's ignorance and corruption. She has been a vocal advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
The referral has brought to light decades-old real estate dealings, suggesting a pattern that might argue against the integrity of James' financial disclosures. It remains to be seen how this referral will impact the ongoing confrontations between James and Trump, especially considering the past court ruling in 2024 where Trump was ordered to pay over $450 million in a civil fraud case, a decision he promptly appealed.
The situation, complex and laden with past grievances, has public and legal analysts watching closely as events unfold. With the legal battles between James and Trump showing no signs of abating, the latest development adds another layer of intrigue to their contentious saga.
