Federal Examination Launched into New York Attorney General Letitia James
Washington D.C. – A federal investigation has been opened into New York Attorney General Letitia James,led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, according to reporting by CBS News, the BBC’s US partner. The investigation comes amidst accusations from James’ office that it represents political retaliation for her legal actions against former President Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association (NRA).
The probe centers on James as the New York Attorney General, and follows recent actions by the Justice Department that have raised concerns about the potential weaponization of federal law enforcement. While the Justice Department has not publicly commented on the investigation or the issuance of subpoenas, the timing has fueled accusations of a politically motivated response.
Background: James’ High-Profile Cases & Trump’s Response
Letitia James rose to national prominence through several high-profile legal battles, most notably her civil fraud lawsuit against the Trump Institution. In 2023, a judge found the Trump organization liable for fraudulently inflating the value of assets – including a New York penthouse falsely claimed to be three times its actual size – to secure favorable loan and insurance terms. Trump was subsequently ordered to pay over $350 million in damages, a ruling currently under appeal. Throughout the civil case,Trump repeatedly attacked James publicly,labeling her “biased and corrupt.”
James’ office also successfully pursued litigation against the NRA, resulting in a significant legal challenge for the powerful gun rights organization.
These cases have drawn the ire of trump, who has consistently vowed to retaliate against those he perceives as political enemies. During his 2024 presidential campaign,he explicitly promised to target individuals like former president Joe Biden and others who have opposed him. Since taking office, Trump has taken steps to fulfill those promises, including firing prosecutors involved in cases against supporters who participated in the January 6th Capitol riot and appointing loyalists to key positions within the Department of Justice.
Recent Escalations & Parallel Investigations
This investigation into James is the latest in a series of escalating actions that have raised concerns about the independence of the Justice Department. In April, the Justice Department reportedly accused James of mortgage fraud and sought criminal charges, though none have been filed to date.
Simultaneously, a seperate federal investigation was recently launched into Special Counsel jack Smith, who is overseeing the criminal cases against Trump related to the handling of classified documents and alleged interference in the 2020 election.Key Details Not Previously Highlighted:
CBS News as Source: The initial reporting on the investigation came from CBS News, a key partner of the BBC in the United States. Northern District of New York: The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of new York, specifying the jurisdiction involved.
Abbe Lowell’s Role: Abbe Lowell, a prominent lawyer representing James, publicly condemned the investigation as a direct attempt at political retribution.
Ongoing Appeals Process: The $350 million judgment against Trump in the civil fraud case is currently being appealed, meaning the financial consequences are not yet finalized.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
