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AG James Faces Scrutiny Over Property Loan Amid Trump Case
New York State Attorney General Tish James is facing allegations of hypocrisy as questions arise concerning a property loan she obtained, coinciding with her high-profile legal actions against former President Donald Trump.
Allegations of “Falsified Records”
William Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has alleged that Attorney General James “falsified records” in 2023 to secure more favorable mortgage terms for a Virginia property. According to Pulte’s claims, James designated the Virginia residence as her “principal” home, despite reportedly residing in New York and fulfilling her duties as Attorney General.
Criminal Referral and Further Claims
Pulte’s concerns extended beyond the “principal residence” designation, leading to a criminal referral to the Department of Justice. The referral reportedly cites additional potentially fraudulent statements. These include allegedly misrepresenting a Brooklyn property James owns, describing it as a four-unit building when it is purportedly a five-unit building, and falsely claiming her father was her husband on related documentation.
Timing and Parallels to Trump Investigation
The acquisition of the Virginia property by the Attorney General occurred around the same period she initiated a civil-fraud lawsuit against the Trump Organization. That case accused the Trump Organization of inflating the valuations of numerous properties in documents submitted to banks. James ultimately secured a $464 million judgment against the organization, a decision currently under appeal.
Power of Attorney and Responsibility
Reports indicate that James granted power of attorney to a relative, Shamice Thompson-Hairston, to execute documents pertaining to the Virginia property purchase, as reported by White Collar Fraud. This detail draws a parallel to the Trump case, where James held former President Trump and his sons accountable for documents prepared by subordinates, regardless of direct involvement in their creation.
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Political Undertones and Prior Statements
While accusations of political motivation have surfaced, it is noted that Attorney General James campaigned for her office with a pledge to rigorously investigate Donald Trump’s financial dealings. Her commitment included a broad search for any potential legal case against him.
Seeking Explanation
As of yet, Attorney General James has not publicly addressed these allegations. Observers are awaiting her explanation, particularly concerning the designation of the Virginia property as her “principal residence.”
“No One Above the Law”
In 2019, when launching her investigation into Donald Trump, then Attorney General James famously declared that “no one is above the law, not even the president.” This statement is now being recirculated in light of the current allegations against her, raising questions about whether the same principle of accountability applies to a state attorney general.