Liputan6.com, Jakarta New York Attorney General Letitia James faces serious federal charges of bank fraud and making false statements to financial institutions.
The indictment was handed down by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
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The case alleges that James misrepresented the use of a property she purchased in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2020.
She allegedly took out a mortgage on a second home but rented it out as an investment property, an action she called "baseless" and politically motivated.
The indictment against James makes her the second adversary of Donald Trump to face federal charges in recent weeks, fueling speculation about the motive behind the case, which James called "the president's desperate attempt to weaponize our justice system."
Federal Indictment Against Letitia James
Letitia James was charged with one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution.
These charges center on the purchase of a home in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2020.
According to the indictment, James obtained a mortgage requiring her to use the property as a second home.
However, she allegedly rented it to a family and used it as an investment property, contrary to the terms of the loan.
The indictment alleges that Letitia James misrepresented the home's intended use in order to obtain a lower interest rate.
By obtaining more favorable loan terms and greater seller credit, she allegedly saved $18,933 over the life of the loan.
Letitia James Indictment: Political Motive?
James has been under investigation since May over a 2023 mortgage he took out to purchase a home in Norfolk, Virginia.
Thursday's indictment focuses on a 2020 mortgage for another property in Norfolk.
As reported by CNN, the indictment comes as Trump continues to push for the prosecution of his opponents.
Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to allegations of making false statements during a congressional hearing.
The Justice Department has also opened investigations into Trump's former national security adviser, John Bolton, California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, and others.
Halligan was appointed after President Trump expressed frustration with the slow pace of investigations into individuals he considered political opponents.
“This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system,” James said in a statement.
James herself strongly denies the allegations, calling them "baseless" and a "continuation of the president's desperate attempt to weaponize our justice system."
“These charges are baseless, and the president’s own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost,” she added.
“The president’s actions are a grave violation of our Constitutional order and have drawn sharp criticism from members of both parties.”
She is scheduled to appear in federal court in Norfolk, Virginia, on October 24, 2025, to face these charges.
Brief Profile of Letitia James
Letitia Ann "Tish" James is an American attorney and politician who has served as the 67th Attorney General of New York since 2019.
She made history as the first African-American woman and the first woman elected to the position of Attorney General of New York.
Born on October 18, 1958, in Brooklyn, New York, Letitia James is one of eight children.
Her father, Robert, worked as a maintenance man, while her mother, Nellie, worked in customer service.
James attended Lehman College, City University of New York, graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
She then earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Howard University School of Law in 1987 and was admitted to practice law in New York in 1989.
She also earned a master's degree in public administration from Columbia University in 2003.
Letitia James' Career and Achievements
Letitia James' professional career began as a public defender at the Legal Aid Society.
Before being elected to the City Council, she served as head of the Brooklyn Regional Office of the New York State Attorney General's Office.
She then represented Brooklyn's 35th Council District on the New York City Council for ten years, from 2004 to 2013.
During her tenure, she successfully passed the Safe Housing Act and helped expose corruption behind the CityTimes contract.
From 2013 to 2018, Letitia James served as New York City's Public Advocate, becoming the first woman of color to hold citywide office in New York City.
As New York Attorney General, she focused on protecting vulnerable citizens, cracking down on corruption, and leading legal action against the gun industry and protecting access to reproductive health care.
Her office also filed a civil lawsuit against Donald Trump and the Trump Organization for fraud, resulting in multi-million dollar fines.
She was re-elected in 2022, with her term expiring January 1, 2027.