By Blessing Nweke
A senior official in the administration of Donald Trump has submitted two fresh criminal referrals targeting New York Attorney General Letitia James, intensifying a long-running legal and political battle.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte alleged that James may have committed insurance fraud by misrepresenting occupancy details on homeowner’s insurance applications tied to two properties in Norfolk, Virginia. The referrals were sent to U.S. attorneys Jason Quiñones and Andrew Boutros, where the respective insurance companies are based.
According to the filings, one application allegedly claimed a property would house a single adult, while it was reportedly occupied by multiple family members. Another stated the home would be vacant for part of the year, though it was said to be occupied year-round. Pulte cited publicly available court documents shared online by attorney Mike Davis as the basis for the allegations.
James’ legal team strongly rejected the claims. Her attorney, Abbe D. Lowell, accused Trump allies of pursuing a politically motivated campaign. He described the referrals as part of a broader effort to recycle “baseless allegations” after repeated legal failures.
The United States Department of Justice has previously attempted to prosecute James on mortgage-related charges but failed in three separate efforts, including a recent grand jury decision not to indict her.
The dispute traces back to a civil fraud case brought by James against Trump in 2022, which resulted in significant penalties later reduced on appeal. The latest referrals signal that the legal conflict between the two sides remains unresolved and deeply contentious.
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