BREAKING: New York Attorney General Letitia James Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Mortgage Fraud Charges

NEW YORK, N.Y. — In a stunning turn of events, New York Attorney General Letitia James has pleaded not guilty to a series of federal mortgage fraud charges filed earlier this week, according to court documents unsealed Friday afternoon.

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The charges — which include allegations of falsified financial disclosures and improper use of loan documents connected to several real estate transactions — were brought after a months-long federal probe into James’ personal and campaign-related financial dealings.

James, appearing at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, entered her plea through her attorneys and was released on her own recognizance pending trial. A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s office called the case “politically motivated” and vowed to fight the charges “vigorously and transparently.”

“These accusations are false, and we will prove that in court,” James’ defense team said in a statement following the arraignment. “Attorney General James has always conducted herself with integrity and in full compliance with the law.”

Federal prosecutors, however, allege that James misrepresented key details in several mortgage applications between 2018 and 2021, including the valuation of properties and the sources of funds used in related transactions.

A senior Justice Department official confirmed that investigators had been reviewing “potential irregularities in mortgage filings connected to public officials” for months, but declined to comment on whether additional indictments are expected.

The case now heads toward a pretrial hearing scheduled for next month, where both sides are expected to argue over evidence and discovery requests.

If convicted, James could face severe penalties, including fines and potential prison time — a dramatic development that could upend one of the most powerful political offices in the state.

This story is developing. Updates will follow as new details from the court filings emerge.