Grand jury refuses to re-indict Letitia James

Published: Friday, December 5, 2025 at 12:15 am

Grand Jury Declines to Indict New York Attorney General Letitia James

A federal grand jury has declined to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, dealing a significant setback to the government's case against her. This decision follows a judge's prior dismissal of bank fraud charges against James last week, further complicating the legal proceedings.

The grand jury's vote against indictment, presented by federal prosecutors, is considered unusual. Justice Department figures indicate that in the 2016 fiscal year, out of over 150,000 investigations, only six cases resulted in a grand jury declining to indict.

James, in a statement, expressed gratitude to the grand jury, reiterating her stance that the charges were baseless. Her attorney, Abbe Lowell, echoed this sentiment, warning against further attempts to prosecute James, calling it an assault on the rule of law.

The initial charges against James, filed in October, involved allegations of bank fraud and making false statements related to a mortgage on a property. The Justice Department alleged she falsely claimed the property was her second home to secure a more favorable interest rate. James has denied any wrongdoing, attributing the charges to political motivations.

The case has political undertones, with James having previously sued Donald Trump in civil court, resulting in a ruling against him and his company for fraud. While financial penalties from that case were later overturned on appeal, non-financial penalties remain in place.

James's attorneys have argued for the case's dismissal, citing vindictive prosecution and "outrageous government conduct." They allege the charges stemmed from Trump's animosity towards James. The appointment of the top federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsey Halligan, has also been challenged, with a judge ruling her appointment improper.

The Justice Department's next steps regarding James and former FBI Director James Comey, who also had charges dismissed, remain uncertain. The statute of limitations for Comey's alleged offenses may have expired, further complicating the situation.

BNN's Perspective:

The repeated failures to indict Attorney General James raise questions about the strength of the government's case and the motivations behind the prosecution. While the legal process must be respected, the political context surrounding this case cannot be ignored. The repeated setbacks suggest a need for a thorough review of the evidence and the legal strategy employed.

Keywords: Letitia James, indictment, grand jury, bank fraud, James Comey, Justice Department, Donald Trump, legal, prosecution, attorney general, Eastern District of Virginia, Lindsey Halligan, charges dismissed, statute of limitations, political motivations

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