January 1, Letitia James Faces Fraud Allegations in Virginia Deal

Wyatt’s Take

• Letitia James, New York’s Attorney General, is accused of lying on mortgage and insurance forms.
• Court documents allege she never lived in the Virginia home she claimed as a residence.
• Her niece, not James, lived in the house, and James allegedly benefited from lower mortgage rates.

Letitia James, the top law enforcement officer in New York, is now in the hot seat over claims she falsified records about a Virginia property. Court documents say she told banks, the IRS, and an insurance company different stories to score favorable terms for a second house in Norfolk in 2020.

According to prosecutors, James said the home would be her main residence, but filings show she has always lived in New York. She also swore on official forms that the Virginia house was only a second home, but never actually stayed there herself.

The court says her niece lived at the Peronne Avenue property, and James collected rent from her relative while receiving better loan deals by claiming the place as her own. “[James] stayed in hotels during visits to Norfolk despite representing that the Peronne residence was her secondary residence,” filings state.

Records add that James’ niece even tried to register to vote at the address in 2020, and the house was occupied all year round, despite James’ insurance application claiming otherwise.

Another insurance document alleged only James lived there, though her niece and three children actually resided in the home. Utility bills were in her niece’s name, and James reportedly counted the property as an investment on her taxes, not a second home as she told the bank.

The filings allege James had been “taking the investment property deductions for several years” but never corrected the stories she provided on key loan documents. She has entered a plea of not guilty.

If you want more stories exposing politicians who think the rules don’t apply to them, stick with us for the heartland truth that matters most to you—and your family.

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