Newly discovered documents alluding to the residence of New York Attorney General Letitia James could have potential legal ramifications, legal experts tell Newsweek.
Newsweek reached out to James' office, New York Governor Kathy Hochul's office, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for comment.
A "specific power of attorney" document signed by James on August 17, 2023, shows her intent to change her residence to Norfolk, Virginia.
The document states: "I HEREBY DECLARE that I intend to occupy this property as my principal residence."
"This is a problem for Letitia James," former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Newsweek.
He cited New York law as it pertains to elected officials to be one potential legal roadblock.
State law says the following: "When an officeholder removes his residence from the territorial limits required by statute, the office is rendered vacant."
Rahmani once successfully led prosecution in a similar situation involving a council member on the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission who didn't live in his district and was removed.
He said James may also face legal issues pertaining to fraud.
"There's potential mortgage fraud because your mortgage rates for your primary residence are gonna be lower than your mortgage rate for a secondary resident, like the rental or vacation home, so she said this with a primary residence to get a better mortgage," he said.
Tax fraud could also potentially be investigated, he added, citing how people routinely have different residences in other states due to lower tax rates than, say, New York or California.
"There's obviously no question that Letitia James is a target of Donald Trump," Rahmani said. "And the issue with the last two crimes is that they're federal crimes. So, she could be prosecuted by the DOJ for something like that."
Newsweek reached out to James' office, New York Governor Kathy Hochul's office, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) for comment.
A "specific power of attorney" document signed by James on August 17, 2023, shows her intent to change her residence to Norfolk, Virginia.
The document states: "I HEREBY DECLARE that I intend to occupy this property as my principal residence."
"This is a problem for Letitia James," former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Newsweek.
He cited New York law as it pertains to elected officials to be one potential legal roadblock.
State law says the following: "When an officeholder removes his residence from the territorial limits required by statute, the office is rendered vacant."
Rahmani once successfully led prosecution in a similar situation involving a council member on the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission who didn't live in his district and was removed.
He said James may also face legal issues pertaining to fraud.
"There's potential mortgage fraud because your mortgage rates for your primary residence are gonna be lower than your mortgage rate for a secondary resident, like the rental or vacation home, so she said this with a primary residence to get a better mortgage," he said.
Tax fraud could also potentially be investigated, he added, citing how people routinely have different residences in other states due to lower tax rates than, say, New York or California.
"There's obviously no question that Letitia James is a target of Donald Trump," Rahmani said. "And the issue with the last two crimes is that they're federal crimes. So, she could be prosecuted by the DOJ for something like that."
