Letitia then, Letitia now

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NY AG LETITIA JAMES INDICTED ON FEDERAL BANK FRAUD, FALSE CLAIMS CHARGES:

New York state Attorney General Letitia James was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in Virginia on charges of bank fraud and making false claims to a financial institution that netted her nearly $19,000 in savings on a loan for a second home, according to the Department of Justice.

The indictment was handed up in the Eastern District of Virginia, where former FBI Director James Comey was indicted Sept. 25 on charges of lying to Congress and obstruction of justice

“No one is above the law. The charges as alleged in this case represent intentional, criminal acts and tremendous breaches of the public’s trust,” US Attorney Lindsey Halligan said in a statement. “The facts and the law in this case are clear, and we will continue following them to ensure that justice is served.”

James responded in a statement: “This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system. He is forcing federal law enforcement agencies to do his bidding, all because I did my job as the New York State Attorney General.”

“These charges are baseless, and the president’s own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost,” she added. “The president’s actions are a grave violation of our Constitutional order and have drawn sharp criticism from members of both parties.”

If convicted on both counts, James faces up to 60 years in prison and a fine of up to $2 million.

James, 66, bought the three-bedroom, one-bathroom Norfolk, Va., home in August 2020 for roughly $137,000, most of which was financed with a $109,600 loan that prohibited it from being used as a rental investment property, prosecutors alleged.

That allowed her “to obtain favorable loan terms not available for investment properties,” they noted in the five-page filing, saving her “approximately $18,933 over the life of the loan.”

When a Post reporter visited the Norfolk home in April, neighbors said they had never seen James at the property.

“What we’re seeing today is nothing less than the weaponization of the Justice Department to punish those who hold the powerful accountable,” Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.

AI Overview

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has publicly and consistently supported Attorney General Letitia James's civil fraud lawsuit against Donald Trump

. Her statements have praised James's integrity and commitment to justice, particularly following the February 2024 verdict that found Trump liable for fraudulent business practices in the state. 

Key statements and positions from Governor Hochul include:

  • February 2024 verdict: After the court found Trump and his company liable for fraud, Hochul affirmed the judgment, stating that it sends a message that no one is above the law in New York. She noted that the law applies equally to a former president and an ordinary businessperson.

  • Reassurance for New York businesses: In the wake of the judgment against Trump, Hochul sought to calm fears among other business owners that the ruling would chill the state's commercial climate. She stated that law-abiding businesspeople have "nothing to worry about," characterizing the Trump case as an "extraordinary circumstance".

  • November 2023 trial testimony: While the trial was underway, Hochul criticized Trump's behavior during his testimony. She said he was "throwing temper tantrums" and verbally attacking court staff, calling his conduct a "disgrace". She also expressed confidence that he would be held accountable for his actions.

  • October 2025 federal indictment of James: Following the federal indictment of Attorney General James in October 2025, which many critics characterized as politically motivated retribution, Hochul blasted the move. She posted on social media that it was a "weaponization of the Justice Department to punish those who hold the powerful accountable" and defended James's integrity.

  • DNC speech: During the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Hochul delivered a fiery speech describing Trump as "a fraud, a philanderer, and a felon". She highlighted his history of alleged fraudulent and questionable business dealings.