State attorney general Letitia James pleaded not guilty to two federal counts Friday as her lawyers indicated they will challenge the legality of Lindsey Halligan’s appointment.
New York attorney general Letitia James entered a not-guilty plea Friday morning to charges related to allegations of mortgage fraud in the latest instance of a prominent political foe of President Donald Trump facing federal prosecution. Her lawyers have also indicated they’ll challenge the appointment of the novice U.S. attorney who filed charges against both James and former FBI director James Comey.
Earlier this month, James was indicted on two federal counts: bank fraud and false statements to a financial institution. The attorney general was arraigned in her first court appearance on the matter in the Virginia federal courthouse.
The indictment revolves around James’s 2020 purchase of a three-bedroom home in Norfolk, Virginia, with prosecutors alleging that the attorney general rented out the property despite procuring a mortgage loan under the guise of using it as a secondary residence. According to the filing, James’s misrepresentation of her intent for the property allowed her to receive more favorable loan terms, resulting in $18,933 in “ill-gotten gains.”
Ahead of her Friday court appearance, James’s legal team gave a first look at their likely strategy to defeat the case.
