NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James, a prominent political figure known for her aggressive and questionable legal pursuits against President Donald Trump, is now under scrutiny following a federal criminal referral accusing her of mortgage fraud.

The allegations, which surfaced recently, have sparked intense debate given James’ history of targeting powerful figures, including Trump, in high-profile civil fraud cases.

The referral, issued by Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director William Pulte and sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, accuses James of falsifying records to secure favorable loan terms.

The claims center on a 2023 real estate transaction in which James allegedly declared a Virginia property as her “principal residence” just weeks before launching a major civil fraud lawsuit against Trump.

She is also accused of misrepresenting a Brooklyn property as a four-unit structure instead of five, potentially to obtain better mortgage terms, and listing her father as her husband on documents from 1983 and 2000.

“While this was a long time ago, it raises serious concerns about the validity of Ms. James’ representations on mortgage applications,” Pulte wrote in the referral.

The timing of the allegations is particularly striking, as James was actively prosecuting Trump for similar financial misrepresentations during the same period.

In October 2023, James spearheaded a landmark civil fraud case against the Trump Organization, accusing the president of inflating his net worth by billions to secure better loan and insurance terms.

The case resulted in a $454 million judgment against Trump, which is currently under appeal. James’ office also secured a significant victory against the National Rifle Association in 2024, ordering top executives to repay $6.4 million for financial mismanagement.

Critics, including Trump, have seized on the allegations to question James’ integrity.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Letitia James, a totally corrupt politician, should resign from her position as New York State Attorney General, IMMEDIATELY. Everyone is trying to MAKE NEW YORK GREAT AGAIN, and it can never be done with this wacky crook in office.”

The president has long accused James of pursuing politically motivated “witch hunts,” a claim he reiterated during his fraud trial, where he called her a “political hack” and criticized her actions as a “disgrace.”

The allegations against James were first reported by Sam Antar on the White Collar Fraud blog, raising questions about her compliance with New York residency requirements for elected officials.

New York Public Officers Law mandates that the attorney general reside in the state for five consecutive years before their election.

If James established residency in Virginia, even temporarily, it could jeopardize her eligibility to hold office.

The mortgage documents required her to occupy the Virginia property within 60 days, a period that overlapped with her active presence in New York courts during the Trump trial.

Legal experts have noted the irony of the situation.

Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley remarked, “The irony of James getting accused of falsifying records is perfectly crushing,” pointing out that she prosecuted Trump for similar offenses.

James’ office has dismissed the allegations as an attempt to intimidate her. A spokesperson stated, “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.”

The Department of Justice has not yet confirmed whether it will launch a full-scale investigation, and the referral itself carries no immediate legal weight.

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