- Brooklyn, New York Property
In 2001, James purchased a five-unit building in Brooklyn but allegedly misrepresented it as a four-unit dwelling to qualify for a conforming loan from Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. Under federal guidelines, conforming loans are only available for properties with four units or fewer.
James allegedly continued to misrepresent the property’s size over the years, including during a 2011 Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) application and a 2019 refinancing. Conforming loans and HAMP benefits would have given her access to lower rates and more favorable terms that she otherwise would not have qualified for.
Pattern of Deception?
Perhaps even more troubling, the FHFA report highlights that mortgage fraud may not be new behavior for James. Historical records show that in 1983 and again in 2000, James signed mortgage documents with incorrect information — including representing herself and her father as “husband and wife” to obtain favorable terms.
An even deeper look into the evidence, reveals that her name was misspelled on a title deed as “Lititua” James, with some speculating this was done intentionally in order to skew her identity from being exposed through these publicly available documents.
Such long-running patterns, if true, would seriously undermine her fitness for office, as they directly violate Rules 8.4(b) and 8.4(c) of the New York Rules of Professional Conduct, which prohibit lawyers from engaging in fraud or conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Experts Weigh In
Dan Epstein, Vice President of America First Legal, remarked, “If what Director Pulte uncovered is true, then we have a sitting state Attorney General who made false certifications to the United States in return for federal benefits. But why worry about committing fraud against American taxpayers when you are willing to buck your ethical duties to the bar? For a state prosecutor who has maligned the President of the United States for political gain, public accountability will serve as a cure to Letitia James’ endless lawfare and abuse of power.”
Nick Barry, Senior Counsel at America First Legal, added, “The Attorney General of New York should be transparent about the allegations raised by the Director of U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency. The best way to restore trust in the legal profession is for the Committee of Professional Standards to investigate the allegations that Attorney General Letitia James engaged in potential fraud for her financial benefit. If the Director’s allegations are accurate, Ms. James should resign her office immediately, the people of New York deserve an Attorney General who upholds the highest ethical standards of the legal profession.”
Stephen Miller, President of America First Legal, also weighed in, emphasizing that the Committee on Professional Standards has the authority not only to disbar James but also to recommend criminal charges if the evidence supports it. Miller, a senior advisor in the Trump administration, has shown a reputation for thorough, evidence-based legal strategy — signaling that this complaint was not made lightly.
The Stakes Are High
This case strikes at the heart of the credibility of the New York Attorney General’s office. It also raises broader concerns about the double standard James herself warned against: “there cannot be two systems of justice,” and “Nobody is above the law.”
The charges she pursued against political opponents, including Donald Trump, were premised on allegations of financial misrepresentation. If the evidence against her proves accurate, the irony will not be lost on the public or legal community.
Unlike James’ claims that these charges are simply politically motivated, the referral is anchored by hard documents, including:
