Letitia James is facing serious allegations of mortgage fraud following a federal criminal referral issued by the Trump administration. William Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, sent a letter to federal prosecutors accusing James of falsifying documents to obtain favorable loan terms. The letter states that in 2023, while serving as New York Attorney General, James applied for a mortgage on a Virginia property and claimed it was her primary residence.

“New York law requires the Attorney General to live in the state, making that claim potentially fraudulent. Pulte’s letter suggests she may have done this to secure a lower interest rate on the mortgage.”

The allegations do not stop there. James is also accused of misrepresenting a Brooklyn property by claiming it had four residential units instead of five. This misrepresentation may have qualified her for reduced mortgage rates under housing programs designed for smaller dwellings.

The letter also includes older documents from the 1980s and early 2000s where James allegedly listed her father as her husband to secure better mortgage terms. Legal experts say these misstatements could lead to charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and making false statements to financial institutions.

Critics have highlighted the irony of James facing allegations similar to those she brought against Donald Trump in her civil fraud case. That case resulted in a massive financial penalty for the Trump Organization. One legal analyst commented, “Either it’s your principal residence or it’s not.

Either you’re married to your father or he’s your father.” James’s office has denied any wrongdoing. A spokesperson said she remains focused on protecting New Yorkers and will not be intimidated by politically motivated attacks.