Federal law enforcement officials reportedly opened a formal probe Thursday into New York Attorney General Letitia James over mortgage fraud allegations, according to multiple reports.
The FBI and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York have reportedly opened their investigation into James following a referral letter U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency director William J. Pulte sent in April suggesting she falsified mortgage documents, the Times Union reported.
The FBI declined to comment on the probe, and the Department of Justice referred the Daily Caller News Foundation to the FBI. (RELATED: Tish James Calls Mortgage Fraud Allegations ‘Baseless’ Retaliation — But Documents Suggest Otherwise)
Pulte’s letter alleged James described a Norfolk, Virginia, property as her “principal residence” on mortgage paperwork in 2023, despite legal requirements for the attorney general to maintain her primary residence in-state. The evidence of her alleged misconduct was first reported by White Collar Fraud.
The New York Post also reported that the FBI has opened a formal investigation into James, citing an unnamed source familiar with the matter. CBS News similarly reported that the probe has been opened, citing its own anonymous sources familiar with the situation.
“Based on media reports, Ms. Letitia James has, in multiple instances, falsified bank documents and property records to acquire government backed assistance and loans and more favorable loan terms,” Pulte wrote in his April letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This has potentially included 1) falsifying residence status for a Norfolk, Va.-based home in order to secure a lower mortgage rate and 2) misrepresenting property descriptions to meet stringent requirements for government backed loans and government assistance.”
James did not appear to live in either of the two Virginia homes mentioned in the White Collar Fraud report when the DCNF visited in April.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 08: NY Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference at the offices of the Attorney General on January 08, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Republican New York Rep. Elise Stefanik commended the FBI and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York for taking action to investigate James in a statement Thursday.
“Nobody is above the law,” Stefanik said. “These serious allegations—falsifying records to secure favorable loan terms on properties in Virginia and New York—threaten public trust in our institutions. The hypocrisy is staggering: Tish James allegedly committed the same crime that she falsely and illegally prosecuted President Donald Trump for.”
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York did not respond to a request for comment.
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