Overview
- James is charged with falsifying loan paperwork by declaring a Norfolk home as her primary residence to secure favorable mortgage terms.
- U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan presented the case to the grand jury after replacing Erik Siebert, who resigned rather than bring charges.
- James called the prosecution political retaliation and said she will fight the allegations while continuing her duties.
- Democratic leaders including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York Governor Kathy Hochul denounced the move as Justice Department politicization.
- The indictment follows the recent Virginia case against former FBI director James Comey, and the complaint in James’s matter has been pushed by housing-finance official and Trump ally Bill Pulte.