Grand Jury Decides Not to Reindict N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James

New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed gratitude after a grand jury in Norfolk, Virginia, declined to refile mortgage fraud charges against her. This decision follows a federal judges dismissal of an earlier case, which had found the appointed prosecutors role unconstitutional.

I am thankful to the grand jury members and humbled by the widespread support I have received, James stated in an email. On October 24, she pleaded not guilty to charges of bank fraud and providing false information to a financial institution. James had requested the U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie to dismiss the indictment initially brought by an appointee of Attorney General Pam Bondi, following the removal of former U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert, who reportedly resisted pursuing the case.

Judge Currie dismissed the indictment without prejudice, allowing for the possibility of a future refiling by a different prosecutor. Despite this, a source indicated prosecutors may attempt to pursue the case again. The charges against me are baseless, James asserted. I will continue to uphold the rule of law and serve the people of New York.

James remained resolute following the initial indictment. Shortly after the October 9 announcement, she appeared publicly to support Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, demonstrating confidence and composure. At her arraignment, she described the charges as retaliatory but emphasized her faith in the criminal justice system to ultimately vindicate her.

My faith in justice and the rule of law is unwavering, James wrote. I believe that righteousness will prevail.

Previously, James secured a civil fraud judgment against former President Trump and the Trump Organization, barring them from operating in New York for three years, although the penalty was later overturned. Since then, she has become a target in ongoing legal confrontations linked to Trumps administration, reflecting a broader scrutiny of high-profile Black women in public office.

James faced accusations of cosigning a mortgage for her nieces home in Norfolk, Virginia, with claims of misrepresentation. Experts note that owning homes in multiple states is legal, provided both are not claimed as primary residences for tax purposes or to gain lower mortgage rates. Investigations into other officials with multiple residences revealed no charges.

Her case is part of wider concerns regarding attempts to challenge or undermine Black women in public service, with critics highlighting political motivations behind certain prosecutions. Advocates note that these efforts coincide with broader campaigns against diversity and inclusion initiatives, affecting Black women across the civil service.

Black women face systemic challenges daily, said Janai Nelson, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. These pressures are part of the reality of being a Black woman in the United States.

Author: Gavin Porter