"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 both against her and former FBI director James Comey."
"The indictment revolves around James' 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 the first look at their likely strategy to defeat the case. Her attorneys gave notice that they intend to argue for a dismissal by challenging the legality of U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan's appointment, a tactic that Comey's lawyers are also pursuing. The Justice Department's investigation into James originated from a criminal referral made by Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte in April."
New York Attorney General Letitia James entered a not-guilty plea to federal charges alleging mortgage fraud tied to her 2020 purchase of a three-bedroom home in Norfolk, Virginia. The indictment charges bank fraud and false statements to a financial institution and claims James misrepresented the property's use to obtain more favorable mortgage terms, allegedly yielding $18,933 in ill-gotten gains. James was arraigned in the Virginia federal courthouse. Her lawyers have signaled they will move to dismiss by challenging the legality of U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan's appointment. The Justice Department investigation began with a criminal referral by FHFA director Bill Pulte in April. James denounced the charges as political weaponization.
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