<p>New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, pleaded not guilty Oct. 24 to two felony charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.&nbsp;</p><p>Appearing before U.S. District Judge Jamar K. Walker in Norfolk, Virginia, James said, “Not guilty, Judge, to both counts,” when asked how she wished to plead, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/us/politics/letitia-james-court.html">according</a> to <em>The New York Times</em>.</p><p>The charges against James stem from a 2020 home purchase in Norfolk: Prosecutors allege James misled a bank to secure better loan terms. The <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71601419/1/united-states-v-james/">indictment</a> claims she falsely said the property would serve as her secondary residence when she allegedly rented it to a family instead — saving about $19,000 over the course of a 30-year loan.</p><p>The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) referred the case earlier this year after its director, Bill Pulte, filed a criminal referral against James in April, <em>The Hill </em><a href="https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5570549-letitia-james-virginia-mortgage-plea/">reported</a>.</p><p><a href="https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/1981769181277168113">Speaking</a> to reporters outside the courthouse Oct. 24, James said the Justice Department is being used as a “vehicle of retribution” for "revenge.”</p><p>"But my faith is strong," she told the group. "I have a belief in the justice system."</p><p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-york-attorney-general-letitia-james-enters-plea-federal-mortgage-fraud-case">According</a> to FOX News, James campaigned for attorney general in 2016 largely on promises to investigate President Donald Trump’s businesses. Last year, she successfully secured a $450 million civil fraud case against Trump, though an appeals court later overturned the financial penalty.&nbsp;</p><p>Weeks before James’ indictment, Trump urged Attorney General Pam Bondi in a Truth Social <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115239044548033727">post</a> to prosecute some of his political adversaries, including James, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and former FBI Director James Comey.&nbsp;</p><p>“We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” Trump said Sept. 20. “They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”</p>