New York Attorney General Letitia James appeared resolute during her first public address since being indicted on federal charges related to bank fraud and allegedly misleading financial institutions to secure more favorable mortgage rates.
“There’s a concerted effort by powerful individuals to suppress the truth, penalize opponents, and manipulate justice for their own political benefit,” James stated at a rally in Washington Heights for key mayoral candidates in New York City.
She emphasized the precarious state of democracy and the degradation of government institutions, marking this period as “critical” in American history.
James, facing potential prison time of up to 60 years if found guilty on the two charges, urged the crowd to “unite in defense of our rights.”
“We must safeguard all our institutions, laws, and norms,” she continued.
“I know what it’s like to be under attack simply for doing my job,” she reflected. “But I’ve also managed to overcome challenges. I’m standing strong.”
“I won’t back down! I won’t surrender! I won’t yield!” she exclaimed.
“If you go after me, you’ll have to go through all of us. We’re in this together,” she declared.
In light of her legal challenges, James mentioned having drawn on the resilience and bravery of her ancestors “in the last few days.”
She committed to “continuing the fight against the aggressive actions from Washington, D.C.” and reiterated her resolve not to “give up.”
“I fear no one,” James asserted.
As she concluded her speech, the energetic audience erupted into applause, chanting, “We love Tish! We love Tish!”
James expressed strong support for Zoran Mamdani, referring to him as a “very good friend” and “brother.”
Last week, James was indicted by the Eastern District of Virginia.
The Department of Justice claims she made false statements regarding her intended use of a property in Norfolk, Virginia, which she purchased in 2020 with a mortgage of $109,600.
The indictment states that she signed a “second home rider” for the loan, requiring that the property remain a second residence and forbidding its usage for rental or shared ownership.
However, prosecutors allege that James did not use the Norfolk property as represented and ultimately rented it out instead.
This “misrepresentation” allegedly enabled her to secure a mortgage rate that would not have been achievable had she disclosed her plan to rent the property.
The prosecutors claim her “unlawful benefits” from the lower mortgage rates totaled “about $18,933” over the life of the loan.
