Alex Swoyer | April 17, 2025
(The Washington Times) — The Trump administration is referring New York Attorney General Letitia James for potential criminal charges related to mortgage fraud.
Ironically, the allegations relate to falsifying financial forms — the same crime for which she prosecuted President Trump during the 2024 campaign.
William Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department on Monday alleging that Ms. James falsified documents and property records to obtain loans.
In one incident cited in the referral, Ms. James claimed she lived in Virginia to buy a home in Norfolk while serving as New York attorney general, where she must reside for her job.
In a separate incident, she allegedly misrepresented the description of a property she owns in Brooklyn, New York, to meet the requirements for a government-backed loan.
“Based on media reports, Ms. Letitia James has, in multiple instances, falsified bank documents and property records to acquire government-backed assistance and loans and more favorable loan terms,” read Mr. Pulte’s letter to the Justice Department, which was shared online.
It was sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
“We will be reviewing it,” Ms. Bondi said Wednesday on Fox News.
A spokesperson from the Federal Housing Finance Agency said it “does not comment as to the existence or non-existence of criminal investigations.”
Ms. James’ office accused the Trump administration of weaponizing the government.
“Attorney General James is focused every single day on protecting New Yorkers, especially as this administration weaponizes the federal government against the rule of law and the Constitution. She will not be intimidated by bullies — no matter who they are,” a spokesperson said.
Mr. Trump made similar accusations against Ms. James when she prosecuted him, his family and the Trump Organization for business fraud during the 2024 campaign.
The Trumps were found liable for inflating property values to obtain business loans and ordered to pay more than $450 million in fines. Mr. Trump is appealing the ruling.
Mr. Trump celebrated the news that Ms. James potentially faced prosecution herself.
“Letitia James, a totally corrupt politician, should resign from her position as New York State Attorney General, IMMEDIATELY. Everyone is trying to MAKE NEW YORK GREAT AGAIN, and it can never be done with this wacky crook in office,” he wrote on social media.
Other top prosecutors have gotten into hot water for falsifying loan applications.
In 2024, Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby was found guilty of mortgage fraud related to a property in Florida. She was sentenced to 12 months of home confinement and community service. In May, her attorneys said they would appeal and seek a presidential pardon from President Biden, but he did not pardon her.
According to Mr. Pulte’s documentation, Ms. James granted someone power of attorney in 2023 to make a Virginia property her “principal residence,” which she then purchased. On a Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac form, she stated that the property would be her primary residence.
However, records show she was occupying a residence in New York. Ms. James has served as New York attorney general since 2019.
Primary residence loans receive more favorable interest rates.
Separately, Mr. Pulte charges that Ms. James has a property with five units in Brooklyn but that she secured a government loan stating that it had four units or fewer.
Properties with five units or more typically require higher down payments and qualify for higher interest rates.
“Spanning the last two decades, Ms. James has consistently misrepresented the same property as only having four units in both building permit applications and numerous mortgage documents and applications. This even includes a 2011 application for the Home Affordable Modification Program,” Mr. Pulte said in the letter.
He said it appeared that Ms. James could have violated federal laws related to wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.
“Ms. James, for both properties listed above, appears to have falsified records in order to meet certain lending requirements and receive favorable loan terms,” the letter said.
Before Ms. James brought charges against Mr. Trump, she campaigned for attorney general in 2018 on a promise to investigate Mr. Trump.
“He should be charged with obstructing justice,” she said at the time. “I will be shining a bright light into every dark corner of his real estate dealings and every dealing, demanding truthfulness at every turn.”
Her case against the Trumps centered on a state civil fraud law that critics say was stretched too far because there was no victim, as all the Trump loans were repaid.
Some judges on the appeals court in September expressed skepticism about the state’s use of the law and the large judgment against Mr. Trump and his business.
