Trump seeks criminal prosecution of New York Attorney General Letitia James

Donald Trump’s administration is accusing New York Legal professional Normal Letitia James of mortgage fraud, and has made a legal referral to the the justice division searching for federal prosecution.

Officers with the Federal Housing Finance Company (FHFA) allege James falsified financial institution and property information to obtain higher mortgage agreements, an administration official informed the BBC.

James gained a civil case in opposition to Trump in 2023 that accused him of overvaluing his properties in an effort to take out loans with beneficial phrases. He’s at present interesting in opposition to the judgment.

No expenses have been filed in opposition to James. Her workplace has accused the Trump administration of weaponizing the US authorities.

“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 mentioned in an announcement.

All through his courtroom trials after leaving workplace in 2021, Trump repeatedly mentioned he believed his political opponents had been weaponizing the justice system in opposition to him.

No expenses have been filed, the White Home confirmed, including that extra particulars would comply with if the justice division took motion.

In a letter obtained by US media to US Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi, FHFA Director William Pulte accused James of misrepresenting a constructing in New York as a four-unit construction as an alternative of 5 to get a greater mortgage deal.

Pulte additionally alleged that James claimed a property in Norfolk, Virginia, was her main residence in 2023 – when she was the highest state prosecutor – to safe a decrease rate of interest on a mortgage. Mortgages for main residences sometimes include higher phrases.

“Ms. James was the sitting 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,” the letter mentioned.

In a submit on Fact Social on Monday, Trump known as James a “wacky crook”.

“Letitia James, a totally corrupt politician, should resign from her position as New York State Attorney General, immediately,” he wrote.

Trump’s household enterprise was discovered liable in 2023 of falsifying information and monetary statements in an effort to get higher phrases on loans and insurance coverage offers.

Within the case introduced by James, a decide dominated that the Trump Group was accountable for overvaluing a penthouse at Trump Tower in New York by claiming that it was thrice its precise dimension, amongst different allegations.

Trump was ordered to pay greater than $350m (£264m) in damages within the civil fraud case, which goes by the appeals course of. Through the case, Trump often attacked James, calling her “biased and corrupt”.

Trump was criminally convicted for falsifying enterprise information in a separate case. Final 12 months, he was discovered responsible on 34 counts for fraudulently classifying reimbursements for a hush-money fee made to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels.

Throughout his marketing campaign, Trump promised to hunt revenge in opposition to a lot of his perceived political enemies – together with former President Joe Biden – and others who’ve opposed him.

He has revoked the safety clearances – which permits individuals to entry categorized materials – of a number of officers, together with James and Manhattan District Legal professional Alvin Bragg, who introduced the legal hush-money case,

He has fired a number of prosecutors who labored for particular counsel Jack Smith on two legal probes in opposition to him. He has additionally taken actions in opposition to legislation corporations with attorneys who had been concerned in investigations into allegations in opposition to him, together with the agency that employed former particular counsel Robert Mueller.