Attorney General Pam Bondi has appointed Ed Martin as a special attorney to delve into allegations of mortgage fraud involving Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James and Democratic California Senator Adam Schiff.
As reported by Conservative Daily News, the Federal Housing Agency (FHFA) directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate James in April, accusing her of falsifying mortgage documents to secure more favorable loan conditions.
Similarly, FHFA Director Bill Pulte referred Schiff to the DOJ in May, alleging he manipulated documents to obtain better terms for a property in Maryland. Schiff's spokesperson told CNN in 2023 that his California and Maryland properties were both listed as primary residences "for loan purposes because they are both occupied throughout the year and to distinguish them from a vacation property."
Schiff's attorney, Preet Bharara, has dismissed the allegations as "transparently false, stale, and long debunked." He criticized the appointment of Ed Martin, describing him as "the most brazenly partisan and politically compromised person possible for the task."
Bharara further expressed concerns about Martin's bias, stating, "Mr. Martins nomination to be U.S. Attorney of the District of Columbia was derailed not only by his partisanship and unfitness, but also by the hold Senator Schiff appropriately placed on the nomination." He accused Martin of being a "January 6-defending lawyer" who has pursued "baseless and politically-motivated investigations."
In a separate legal matter, Letitia James faced subpoenas in New York related to her civil fraud case against President Donald Trump and her ongoing case against the National Rifle Association. This adds another layer of complexity to her legal challenges.
Special attorneys like Martin have the authority to conduct legal proceedings, including grand jury sessions, in districts outside their residence. President Trump had previously appointed Martin as director of the DOJs Weaponization Working Group in May, following the withdrawal of his nomination for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
James office has yet to issue a response to these developments. As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about the potential implications for both James and Schiff, as well as the broader political landscape.
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