New York Attorney General Letitia James has forcefully rejected allegations of mortgage fraud leveled against her by a Trump administration official, calling them “a revenge tour” with no merit.
In an exclusive interview with NY1, James maintained her resolve and commitment to the rule of law.
“I will not be silenced, I will not be bullied. I will not bend, I will not break, and I will not bow to anyone,” she said.
“No one is above the law, including the president of these United States. The office of the attorney general will continue to stand up.”
Letitia James
Federal Referral Raises Questions About Past Property Deals
The controversy stems from a recent letter sent by William Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Pulte alleges that James engaged in fraudulent activity related to mortgage documents and loan applications for properties in Virginia and New York.
Key accusations include:
- Falsifying her residential status to qualify for better mortgage rates on a property in Norfolk, Virginia.
- Purchasing a five-unit property in Brooklyn using a loan program intended only for four-unit residences.
- Signing mortgage documents in 1983 with her father under the pretense that they were a married couple.
James Responds: “We Will Not Litigate on Camera”
In response, James declined to address the specifics publicly but reaffirmed her confidence in the legal process.
“We will respond to these allegations at the appropriate time and in an appropriate way,” she stated.
“But I will not go back and forth with respect to these baseless allegations.”
She also noted that her family and neighbors in Virginia have faced harassment amid the allegations.
“I love my job, each and every day I walk into this office with this fire in my belly,” she said.
Context: Legal Battles with the Trump Organization
The allegations come on the heels of James’s successful civil lawsuit against former President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization.
In 2022, her office accused Trump of inflating his net worth to secure more favorable financial terms.
A judge ruled in James’s favor, ordering Trump to pay $354 million in penalties—a sum that has since surpassed $500 million due to accrued interest.
Next Steps
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed she is aware of the criminal referral and intends to review the matter further. At this time, no formal charges have been filed against James.
