Watchdog group with Trump ties demands state probe into mortgage-fraud claims against NY AG Letitia James

The complaint is based on claims recently made by William Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Earlier this month, he sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice suggesting James might have committed federal crimes. He accused her of submitting false information to lenders when applying for loans on two properties—one in Virginia and another in Brooklyn.

Pulte says that when James and her niece bought the Virginia home in 2023 with a $219,780 mortgage, James signed a legal document claiming she would live there as her main home. However, as New York’s Attorney General, she’s required to live in New York, raising questions about whether she misled lenders to get a better mortgage rate.

In response, James’ lawyer, Abbe David Lowell, strongly denied the allegations. He said the document that called the Virginia home her primary residence was a simple clerical mistake and not proof of fraud. He also pointed to an earlier message from James to the mortgage broker clearly stating the Virginia home would not be her main residence, suggesting that Pulte ignored key evidence to strengthen his case.

Lowell also addressed accusations about the Brooklyn property James has owned since 2001. Pulte cited a decades-old document that said the building had five rental units, but Lowell said it has only had four for the last 24 years and that official documents confirm this.

Lowell claimed the entire situation is politically motivated, calling it part of Trump’s revenge campaign against James. She famously led a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump and his company, which ended in a massive $454 million court judgment against him. Lowell says these new accusations are simply an attempt to punish her for that case.

Interestingly, Lowell isn’t representing James personally—he’s been hired by the Attorney General’s office, meaning New York taxpayers are paying his legal fees. James’ office said this is appropriate because the complaint is clearly tied to her official duties and is politically motivated.

So far, no comment has come from the state court system about the complaint. A spokesperson for Letitia James referred questions to Lowell’s letter and offered no further response.

The complaint is based on claims recently made by William Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Earlier this month, he sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice suggesting James might have committed federal crimes. He accused her of submitting false information to lenders when applying for loans on two properties—one in Virginia and another in Brooklyn.

Pulte says that when James and her niece bought the Virginia home in 2023 with a $219,780 mortgage, James signed a legal document claiming she would live there as her main home. However, as New York’s Attorney General, she’s required to live in New York, raising questions about whether she misled lenders to get a better mortgage rate.

In response, James’ lawyer, Abbe David Lowell, strongly denied the allegations. He said the document that called the Virginia home her primary residence was a simple clerical mistake and not proof of fraud. He also pointed to an earlier message from James to the mortgage broker clearly stating the Virginia home would not be her main residence, suggesting that Pulte ignored key evidence to strengthen his case.

Lowell also addressed accusations about the Brooklyn property James has owned since 2001. Pulte cited a decades-old document that said the building had five rental units, but Lowell said it has only had four for the last 24 years and that official documents confirm this.

Lowell claimed the entire situation is politically motivated, calling it part of Trump’s revenge campaign against James. She famously led a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump and his company, which ended in a massive $454 million court judgment against him. Lowell says these new accusations are simply an attempt to punish her for that case.

Interestingly, Lowell isn’t representing James personally—he’s been hired by the Attorney General’s office, meaning New York taxpayers are paying his legal fees. James’ office said this is appropriate because the complaint is clearly tied to her official duties and is politically motivated.

So far, no comment has come from the state court system about the complaint. A spokesperson for Letitia James referred questions to Lowell’s letter and offered no further response.

A conservative legal group closely tied to former President Trump is calling for a state investigation into serious allegations of mortgage fraud aimed at New York Attorney General Letitia James. The group, America First Legal (AFL), filed an official complaint with the committee that handles lawyer discipline in New York, saying James may have broken professional rules by lying to get better mortgage terms.

The complaint is based on claims recently made by William Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Earlier this month, he sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice suggesting James might have committed federal crimes. He accused her of submitting false information to lenders when applying for loans on two properties—one in Virginia and another in Brooklyn.

Pulte says that when James and her niece bought the Virginia home in 2023 with a $219,780 mortgage, James signed a legal document claiming she would live there as her main home. However, as New York’s Attorney General, she’s required to live in New York, raising questions about whether she misled lenders to get a better mortgage rate.

In response, James’ lawyer, Abbe David Lowell, strongly denied the allegations. He said the document that called the Virginia home her primary residence was a simple clerical mistake and not proof of fraud. He also pointed to an earlier message from James to the mortgage broker clearly stating the Virginia home would *not* be her main residence, suggesting that Pulte ignored key evidence to strengthen his case.

Lowell also addressed accusations about the Brooklyn property James has owned since 2001. Pulte cited a decades-old document that said the building had five rental units, but Lowell said it has only had four for the last 24 years and that official documents confirm this.

Lowell claimed the entire situation is politically motivated, calling it part of Trump’s revenge campaign against James. She famously led a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump and his company, which ended in a massive $454 million court judgment against him. Lowell says these new accusations are simply an attempt to punish her for that case.

Interestingly, Lowell isn’t representing James personally—he’s been hired by the Attorney General’s office, meaning New York taxpayers are paying his legal fees. James’ office said this is appropriate because the complaint is clearly tied to her official duties and is politically motivated.

So far, no comment has come from the state court system about the complaint. A spokesperson for Letitia James referred questions to Lowell’s letter and offered no further response.