New York Attorney General Letitia James has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Norfolk, Virginia, on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. The indictment was presented by a prosecutor appointed by President Donald Trump, amid ongoing tensions between James and Trump, who has previously called for her prosecution.
Lindsey Halligan, the interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, stated that the charges reflect significant breaches of public trust and emphasized that "no one is above the law." Halligan's office has also pursued charges against former FBI Director James Comey, who is facing allegations of lying to Congress. Comey has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial in January.
The indictment of James has drawn criticism from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who described it as an example of the "weaponization of the Justice Department" against those holding powerful individuals accountable. Hochul praised James for her integrity and independent pursuit of justice.
Reports indicate that prior to Halligan's indictment, Erik Siebert, the former acting U.S. Attorney, had resigned following Trump's request and had expressed concerns about the evidence against James. It was noted that a top prosecutor in Halligan's office, Elizabeth Yusi, had resisted pressure to pursue charges against James, citing insufficient probable cause.
The allegations against James stem from a criminal referral made by Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, claiming that she falsified documents related to properties in Virginia and New York. James's attorney, Abbe Lowell, has denied these allegations, labeling them as unfounded.