Attorney General Letitia James, a legal figure in New York, is currently involved in a complex situation that intertwines her professional and personal life. According to documents highlighted by the New York Post, James has been providing shelter to several relatives with criminal histories in her Virginia properties. This scenario unfolds as James herself confronts grave federal charges related to the same real estate.
In April 2024, Cayla Thompson-Hairston, James’ 21-year-old grand-niece, was charged with furnishing false information on firearms purchase forms in Suffolk, Virginia. The indictment arose from her attempt to buy a gun despite a felony record, which under Virginia law, prohibits her from owning a firearm. Thompson-Hairston was previously charged with malicious wounding as a juvenile—an offense that involves severe bodily harm with intent—but the charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor, allowing her legal firearm ownership.
Thompson-Hairston is also known for her online presence as an OnlyFans model, where she often shares explicit content. Her social media activity, which includes flaunting cash and revealing her pregnancy, contrasts with her sealed juvenile records. Meanwhile, her sister, Nakia Thompson, 36, with a record of arrests and outstanding warrants, also resides in a property owned by James.
The federal investigation has taken a keen interest in these properties due to suspicions of fraudulent mortgage documentation signed by James. She faces allegations of bank fraud and making false statements, which, if proven, could lead to a maximum sentence of 60 years. The crux of the accusation is the alleged misrepresentation on a mortgage application for the residence where Nakia Thompson lives. James purportedly obtained a financial benefit by incorrectly classifying the property as a "second home," which typically results in better mortgage rates.
James, who procured the Norfolk property for $137,000 in 2020, has consistently declared her innocence. The federal indictment claims James collected rent from the property shortly after labeling it a second home on her mortgage application. This misrepresentation is said to have granted her a $19,000 financial advantage due to the discrepancy in interest rates and loan terms between second homes and investment properties.
The case has garnered significant media attention, not only due to James' public office but also because of the implications surrounding her family members' occupancy of the properties under scrutiny. It raises questions about the intersection of personal and financial ethics, the responsibilities of public officials, and the legal ramifications of their actions.
