Overview
- Prosecutors allege James misrepresented the occupancy status on a roughly $110,000 mortgage for a Norfolk, Virginia property in 2020.
- The indictment claims she obtained better loan terms and an improper financial benefit totaling $18,933 by stating the home would be a primary or second residence while it was rented out.
- U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan, recently installed in the Eastern District of Virginia and formerly a personal lawyer to the president, is leading the case.
- James called the accusations baseless and described the prosecution as political retaliation, as Democratic leaders condemned the charges.
- Legal analysts expressed skepticism about a conviction and reporting indicates Halligan’s predecessor declined to bring the case, which follows a recent Virginia indictment of ex-FBI director James Comey.