Federal housing agency refers NY Attorney General James to DOJ for investigation

The Federal Housing Finance Company has referred details about New York Lawyer Common Letitia James to the Justice Division concerning a mortgage on James’ Virginia property, based on a letter obtained by ABC Information.

William Pulte, the director of the FHFA, alleges in his letter to the Justice Division, dated April 14, that James listed her Norfolk, Virginia property as her “principal residence” in August of 2023, “despite being a statewide public office holder in the state of New York at that same time and primarily residing in the state of New York.”

The FHFA alleges within the letter {that a} July 2024 constructing allow “lists her New York property as the ‘JAMES RESIDENCE’ and states ‘Remain Occupied’.”

“At the time of the 2023 Norfolk, VA property purchase and mortgage, Ms. James was the siting [sic] Attorney General of New York and is required by law to have her primary residence in the state of New York – even though her mortgage applications list her intent to have the Norfolk, VA property as her primary home,” based on the letter. “It appears Ms. James’ property and mortgage-related misrepresentations may have continued to her recent 2023 Norfolk, VA property purchase in order to secure a lower interest rate and more favorable loan terms.”

Pulte, whom Trump appointed in March to steer the FHFA, additional alleges within the letter that James “appears to have falsified records in order to meet certain lending requirements and receive favorable loan terms,” which he says “could be violations of the criminal code,” together with wire, mail and financial institution fraud “and/or other relevant state and federal laws.”

The letter concludes by stating that the FHFA “look[s] forward to cooperating with the Department of Justice to support any actions that the Department of Justice finds appropriate.”

“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,” a spokesperson for James’ office said in a statement provided in response to an ABC News request for comment. “She will not be intimidated by bullies – no matter who they are.”

James’ workplace filed a enterprise fraud go well with towards Trump and his group in 2022, which resulted in a February 2024 ruling towards Trump and fines in extra of $350 million. Former Trump Group CFO Allen Weisselberg pleaded responsible to mendacity underneath oath within the civil trial and served 5 months in jail.