New York Attorney General Letitia James Cleared of Mortgage Fraud Charges by Federal Grand Jury in Virginia
A federal grand jury in Virginia has declined to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James for alleged mortgage fraud for the second time in a week. The Department of Justice's attempt to refile the case after a federal judge dismissed an earlier case based on the unlawful appointment of the U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia was rejected by the grand jury in Norfolk and Alexandria. Federal prosecutors failed to convince a majority of grand jurors that James misled a bank to obtain favorable loan terms on a home mortgage.
The charges against Letitia James were presented to a grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia's Alexandria branch following the rejection of the charges by a grand jury in Norfolk. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and James' attorney did not provide a statement. Prosecutors alleged that James falsely listed a home she purchased in 2020 as a second home instead of an investment property to save money on the loan with a more favorable mortgage rate. However, evidence found during the investigation appeared to contradict some of the allegations in the indictment secured in September.
Letitia James, who successfully brought a civil fraud case against now-President Donald Trump last year, has denied any wrongdoing in the mortgage fraud case. The situation is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.