New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, pleaded not guilty Oct. 24 to two felony charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.
Appearing before U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker in Norfolk, Virginia, James said, “Not guilty, Judge, to both counts,” when asked how she wished to plead, according to The New York Times.
The charges against James stem from a 2020 home purchase in Norfolk: Prosecutors allege James misled a bank to secure better loan terms. The indictment claims she falsely said the property would serve as her secondary residence when she allegedly rented it to a family instead — saving about $19,000 over the course of a 30-year loan.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) referred the case earlier this year after its director, Bill Pulte, filed a criminal referral against James in April, The Hill reported.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse Oct. 24, James said the Justice Department is being used as a “vehicle of retribution” for “revenge.”
“But my faith is strong,” she told the group. “I have a belief in the justice system.”
According to FOX News, James campaigned for attorney general in 2016 largely on promises to investigate President Donald Trump’s businesses. Last year, she successfully secured a $450 million civil fraud case against Trump, though an appeals court later overturned the financial penalty.
Weeks before James’ indictment, Trump urged Attorney General Pam Bondi in a Truth Social post to prosecute some of his political adversaries, including James, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and former FBI Director James Comey.
“We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” Trump said Sept. 20. “They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”
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