Grand Jury Declines to Indict Letitia James Again

A federal grand jury has once more declined to indict Letitia James on mortgage-related charges after the Department of Justice re-submitted the case to New York’s Attorney General. James faced accusations of falsifying information on mortgage documents to obtain better loan terms.

Previously, the charges were dismissed by another grand jury. James had claimed that the property she purchased in 2020 was her second home instead of an investment property, allowing her to save around $19,000 in interest costs. She has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

In an earlier dismissal, another allegation that the appointment of the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia was illegal was also thrown out. James’s attorney, Abby Rowell, stated, “This unprecedented dismissal makes it even clearer that this case should never have seen the light of day.”

Rowell emphasized that seasoned prosecutors, knowing better, opted not to indict, and now two separate grand juries in different locations have rejected these unfounded charges. “Trying to revive these discredited allegations would ridicule our justice system,” she added.

Amid these proceedings, former President Donald Trump called for James to resign, labeling her a “corrupt politician” and claiming her presence hinders efforts to improve New York.

James had previously been successful in convicting Trump for inflating the value of his real estate holdings to secure favorable banking deals, resulting in nearly $500 million in civil fraud ruling, although that judgment was overturned by the New York State Court of Appeals in August. James announced her intention to appeal the case.