New York Attorney General indicted on federal bank fraud charges
Prosecutors allege that James misrepresented details on a mortgage loan for a Norfolk, Virginia, property, falsely claiming it was a secondary residence rather than a rental investment.
.jpeg)
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who previously led the high-profile civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on bank fraud and false statement charges, according to court filings from the Eastern District of Virginia.
Prosecutors allege that James misrepresented details on a mortgage loan for a Norfolk, Virginia, property, falsely claiming it was a secondary residence rather than a rental investment. The indictment asserts that this misrepresentation allowed her to access preferential loan terms unavailable for investment properties.
James, in a defiant statement, accused President Trump of “weaponising the justice system” for political retaliation, arguing that the charges were “baseless” and stemmed from her prior role in prosecuting the former president.
The case is being led by U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, a Trump appointee and former personal lawyer, who took over after Erik Siebert, the previous prosecutor, resigned amid reports he found insufficient evidence to indict. Halligan described the allegations as a “serious breach of public trust,” emphasizing that “no one is above the law.”
James’ attorney, Abbe Lowell, condemned the prosecution, calling it “politically motivated” and warning that it reflects the administration’s growing use of the justice system for “revenge and intimidation.”
James is scheduled to make her first court appearance on October 24, 2025, in Norfolk.
The indictment follows escalating tensions between Trump and his political opponents. Last month, Trump publicly urged U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue charges against several of his critics, including James, former FBI Director James Comey, and Senator Adam Schiff.
Comey was charged this week with making false statements to Congress, while investigations reportedly continue into others on Trump’s list of adversaries.
James’ civil case against Trump in 2023 led to a landmark ruling finding the former president liable for falsifying financial statements to secure favourable loans, though an appeals court later overturned the $500 million fine as excessive.
