America First Legal (AFL) has filed a complaint with the Committee on Professional Standards against New York Attorney General Letitia James. This action calls for an investigation based on a criminal referral from the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), alleging that Attorney General James engaged in mortgage fraud.
Details in the criminal referral, sent by FHFA Director William J. Pulte to the U.S. Department of Justice on April 14, 2025, claim that Attorney General James "falsified bank documents and property records to acquire government-backed assistance" and also sought "loans and more favorable loan terms."
As per the allegations, Attorney General James, in August 2023, attempted to buy a property in Norfolk, Virginia, stating it would be her primary residence. This declaration could qualify her for a lower mortgage interest rate, although it seems improbable that she intended to leave New York to live more than 400 miles away from her office. Additionally, the referral accuses her of falsely reporting the number of housing units in a New York City building she owned in 2001 to acquire advantageous loan terms.
Such actions, if verified, could be at odds with Rules 8.4(b) and 8.4(c) of the New York Rules of Professional Conduct, which prevent lawyers from engaging in illegal activities that "adversely reflect on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer" and from engaging in conduct that involves "dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation."
AFL has encouraged a probe into these serious charges and the appropriate discipline. They echo Attorney General James' own sentiments that "there cannot be two systems of justice in this nation. No one is above the law."
Dan Epstein, Vice President of America First Legal, stated, "If what Director Pulte uncovered is true, then we have a sitting state Attorney General who made false certifications to the United States in return for federal benefits. But why worry about committing fraud against American taxpayers when you are willing to buck your ethical duties to the bar? For a state prosecutor who has maligned the President of the United States for political gain, public accountability will serve as a cure to Letitia James’ endless lawfare and abuse of power."
Adding to the discourse, Nick Barry, Senior Counsel at America First Legal, remarked, "The Attorney General of New York should be transparent about the allegations raised by the Director of U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency. The best way to restore trust in the legal profession is for the Committee of Professional Standards to investigate the allegations that Attorney General Letitia James engaged in potential fraud for her financial benefit. If the Director’s allegations are accurate, Ms. James should resign her office immediately, the people of New York deserve an Attorney General who upholds the highest ethical standards of the legal profession."
The full bar complaint is available for public viewing.