New York Attorney General Letitia James is appearing in federal court on Friday morning to be arraigned on a two-count indictment alleging bank fraud and false statements to a financial institution.
The charges stem from her 2020 purchase of a second home in Norfolk, Virginia.
Prosecutors say James, a career Democrat, misrepresented the nature of the property to secure more favorable loan terms.
James has vehemently denied wrongdoing and is expected to plead not guilty.
“This is nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system,” James said after the indictment.
“These charges are baseless, and the president’s own public statements make clear that his only goal is political retribution at any cost.”
Charging decision ignites internal DOJ backlash
The case, like the recent indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, was presented to a grand jury by Lindsey Halligan.
Halligan is a former White House aide whom President Donald Trump installed last month as acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Halligan replaced interim U.S. attorney Erik Siebert.
Siebert resigned after pushing back against bringing charges against Comey and James.
Both prosecutions have triggered resignations and firings among disloyal career personnel in the Eastern District of Virginia.
In the Norfolk office, two liberal assistant U.S. attorneys were fired after reportedly opposing the James case.
Halligan will be joined in court by Missouri-based federal prosecutor Roger Keller, according to filings.
Defense gears up to challenge “vindictive” prosecution
James is represented by long-time Democrat attorney Abbe Lowell.
Lowell, a served as Bill Clinton’s impeachment lawyer and represented Hunter Biden, told the court the defense has retained Andrew Bosse.
Bosse is a former Norfolk AUSA who led the office’s criminal division.
The defense is expected to move to dismiss on grounds of vindictive and selective prosecution.
The move mirrors steps taken by Comey’s legal team in Alexandria earlier this week.
Lowell has called the case “improper political retribution.”
He has vowed to “fight these charges in every process allowed in the law.”
Political backdrop
James’s indictment follows her high-profile civil fraud case against President Trump last year.
This backdrop is certain to intensify scrutiny over motive and timing.
The Justice Department did not immediately comment on the case or whether additional EDVA prosecutors will join Halligan and Keller at Friday’s arraignment.
READ MORE – Legal Expert Dan Abrams: 95% Chance James Comey Is Acquitted
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