New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia on a single count of bank fraud, according to a source familiar with the case, as reported by the New York Post.
The indictment, handed down in the same federal district where former FBI Director James Comey was indicted on Sept. 25 for lying to Congress and obstruction of justice, centers on allegations that James falsified records to obtain favorable mortgage terms for a Norfolk, Virginia property she purchased in 2023.
🚨 MAJOR BREAKING: NY Attorney General Letitia James has just been indicted by a grand jury on federal BANK FRAUD charges, per Reuters
LET’S GO! 🔥
Keep the indictments coming! pic.twitter.com/DIj1ceruKQ
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 9, 2025
The referral for investigation came in April from federal housing regulator Bill Pulte, who accused James of committing multiple potential offenses, including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and making false statements to a financial institution.
Pulte’s complaint alleged that James, 66, falsely claimed the Virginia property was her “principal residence” when applying for the loan. At the time, she was beginning her second term as New York’s attorney general.
He further asserted that the false classification allowed her to receive “sweetheart” loan terms unavailable to non-residents.
Federal investigators also examined claims that James misrepresented the structure of her Brooklyn brownstone, allegedly reporting it as a four-unit property instead of five to qualify for more advantageous loan terms on both her New York and Virginia properties.
The FBI opened the criminal investigation in May, shortly after Pulte’s referral to the Department of Justice.
James has denied any wrongdoing. “These allegations are baseless,” she said previously, maintaining that she co-purchased the Virginia home with her niece, who she said uses it as her primary residence.
A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul defended James in a public statement Thursday, calling the indictment “the weaponization of the Justice Department to punish those who hold the powerful accountable.”
James made national headlines last year after securing a civil judgment against former President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization, alleging inflated real estate valuations.
Trump was ordered to pay $355 million in penalties — a figure that has grown to over $500 million with interest as his legal team continues to appeal the ruling.
The new federal case against James will be prosecuted out of Virginia, where bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million if convicted.
🚨 BREAKING: “New York Attorney General Letitia James has been indicted on criminal bank fraud charges. James is being accused of FALSIFYING records to meet certain lending requirements, and receive favorable loan terms.”
She really messed up now. The hunter became the hunted. pic.twitter.com/uULS1jnAH9
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 9, 2025
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees housing loan compliance, has also pursued related allegations involving other public officials. Pulte previously accused Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) of mortgage irregularities tied to a Maryland home he declared as his primary residence.
James is expected to make an initial court appearance in Virginia in the coming days.
Trump made her do it ! on the other hand, had she paid better attention to Trump, she might have learned real estate investment, that doesn’t include gong to jail It’s okay. Trump’s felony convictions preclude him from firearm possession and ownership, a law license, Civil Service employment, voting in California. He seems to be doing okay. So will Letitia James, once she makes her first billion.
Just putting the trash out – GO MAGA!!!!