ALBANY, N.Y. — The FBI has opened a criminal investigation into allegations that New York Attorney General Letitia James falsified mortgage records related to property purchases in Virginia and Brooklyn, according to multiple U.S. media outlets.
The allegations stem from a letter sent last month by Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte, a Trump appointee, to the U.S. Justice Department. Pulte claimed James manipulated documents to secure favorable home loan terms in 2023, the New York Post reported.
The FBI’s Albany office is overseeing the investigation, Times Union reported Thursday, citing law enforcement sources. The Department of Justice and the FBI declined to comment on the matter.
James’ attorney, Abbe Lowell, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
James had charged and tried President Trump for similar allegations.
Key points
- FBI has opened a criminal investigation into AG Letitia James over alleged mortgage fraud.
- The probe follows a letter from a Trump-appointed official alleging record falsification.
- James potentially lied about her place of residents and asset values to game the bank to get a better loan agreement.
James’ lawsuit led to a February court ruling ordering Trump to pay hundreds of millions in penalties for financial fraud. Justice Arthur Engoron, who presided over the case, has also been publicly attacked by Trump.
James has consistently opposed Trump’s policies during and after his presidency.
She has joined other Democratic attorneys general in lawsuits against the Trump administration’s stances on election laws, health and education funding, and legal retaliation against judges and firms.
A formal investigation by federal agents does not equate to pending charges.
The existence of an FBI probe, however, places James under scrutiny at a time when she continues to pursue enforcement actions against Trump.