New York Attorney General Letitia James Indicted by Federal Grand Jury on Bank Fraud Charge
On October 9, 2025, in Alexandria, Virginia, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced that a federal grand jury had returned an indictment charging New York State Attorney General Letitia James with bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. Section 1344 and false statements to a financial institution under 18 U.S.C. Section 1014. The announcement was made by Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Halligan said no one is above the law, and that the charges as alleged represent intentional, criminal acts and tremendous breaches of the public's trust. She said the facts and the law in the case are clear, and that prosecutors would continue following them to ensure justice is served.
The Justice Department announcement said that if convicted, James faces up to 30 years in prison per count, up to a $1 million fine on each count, and forfeiture. It also noted that actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties, and that a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is merely an accusation. James is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
(Source: U.S. Department of Justice)
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Letitia James 在纽约市议会任职期间的照片。Freelancers Union 摄，CC BY 2.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Letitia James during her time on the New York City Council. By Freelancers Union, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
