New York Attorney General Letitia James was arraigned Friday in federal court in Norfolk, Virginia, where she pleaded not guilty to two felony counts: bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.
Prosecutors say the charges stem from James’ 2020 purchase of a home in Norfolk, where she allegedly misled a bank to score better loan terms.
According to the indictment, James claimed the property would be her secondary residence — but instead rented it out to a family, securing a lower interest rate that would save her nearly $19,000 over 30 years.
James personally entered her plea before U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker and is being represented by Abbe Lowell and Andrew Bosse, a former assistant U.S. attorney who once headed the office’s criminal division.
Her arraignment marks the latest in a series of high-profile prosecutions targeting political figures, including those viewed as opponents of President Trump — a fact not lost on critics of the Justice Department’s recent priorities.
James, a Democrat, has long been a lightning rod for controversy, famously campaigning for attorney general in 2016 on promises to “investigate Donald Trump.”
She later led a $450 million civil fraud case against him — a ruling that collapsed when an appeals court threw out the financial penalty portion of the case.
Now, the prosecutor who built her career targeting Trump finds herself on the other side of the courtroom — and facing serious charges of her own.
This story is developing…
🚨 BREAKING: NY AG Letitia James pleads NOT GUILTY to federal charges of bank fraud.
She's now filing a motion to dismiss and accuses President Trump of "vindictive and selective prosecution."
She LITERALLY RAN on prosecuting Trump and now complains she was targeted? FAFO! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kmsmWN6KBc
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 24, 2025
Letitia James is nervous after pleading not guilty to mortgage fraud: "I will not be te-deterred. And I will not, I will not be deterred." pic.twitter.com/b0VBZt7k80
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) October 24, 2025
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