Letitia James Referred To DOJ For Potential Mortgage Fraud

Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James has been referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for potential prosecution for allegedly falsifying mortgage documents, according to a letter that the head of the Federal Housing Agency (FHFA) sent the DOJ on Monday.

The FHFA referred James to the DOJ for possible prosecution for allegedly falsifying records to secure a more favorable mortgage rate on a Virginia home in 2023, according to the FHFA’s letter. James has long been a prominent foe of President Donald Trump and prosecuted the Trump Organization for fraud in New York in the lead-up to the 2024 election.

FHFA Director William Pulte sent the referral letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Specifically, Pulte alleged that James submitted a mortgage application for the Norfolk, Va. property that described the home as her “principal residence” in 2023 while she was serving as New York’s attorney general, a position that requires primary residence in the state.

“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,” Pulte’s letter states. “This has potentially included 1) falsifying residence status for a Norfolk, Va.-based home in order to secure a lower mortgage rate and 2) misrepresenting property descriptions to meet stringent requirements for government backed loans and government assistance.”

The media reports Pulte cites in the letter appear to come from an investigation first published by White Collar Fraud