| Published May 14, 2024
This raises concerns about New York Attorney General Letitia James’s management of her late father’s estate. Authored by Joel Gilbert, the piece scrutinizes James’s actions regarding a property at 114-04 Inwood Street in Jamaica, Queens, which she co-owned with her father, Robert James.
Key Allegations:
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Conflicting Ownership Claims: In 1983, James and her father reportedly obtained a mortgage for the property as “husband and wife,” a designation that typically implies joint tenancy with the right of survivorship. However, in 1999, James filed probate documents asserting they held the property as “tenants in common,” which would necessitate court involvement to transfer her father’s share to her. This discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy of her legal representations.
However, James’s account is contradicted by the mortgage Letitia and her father obtained as “husband and wife” in May 1983.
This designation implies joint tenancy with right of survivorship, meaning that ownership would have automatically passed to Letitia upon her father’s death in 1986, without the need for probate.
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Delayed Probate Filing: James waited 13 years after her father’s death in 1986 to initiate probate proceedings in 1999. While New York law doesn’t impose a strict deadline for such filings, courts generally expect timely administration. The article suggests this delay is unusual and unexplained.
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Potential Tax Implications: The article notes that no estate taxes appear to have been paid or filed during the 13-year interval between Robert James’s death and the probate filing. This omission could have financial and legal ramifications.
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Sale of Property: In 2000, James sold the Inwood property, listing the original ownership as “husband and wife,” despite her earlier probate claim of “tenants in common.” This inconsistency may have provided her with certain tax or financial advantages.
Contextual Developments:
These revelations emerge amid a broader federal investigation into James’s real estate dealings. The FBI has initiated a criminal probe based on allegations that James misrepresented information to obtain favorable mortgage terms on properties in Brooklyn and Virginia . Specifically, it’s alleged that she falsely claimed a Virginia property as her primary residence and misrepresented the number of units in a Brooklyn property to qualify for certain loans .
James has denied these allegations, attributing them to political retaliation by former President Donald Trump, whom she has previously prosecuted in civil fraud cases. Her legal team, led by attorney Abbe Lowell, contends that any discrepancies were clerical errors and has provided documentation to support her compliance with legal requirements .
Overall Takeaway:
The allegations against New York Attorney General Letitia James regarding her father’s estate and mortgage dealings raise serious questions about her integrity, accountability, and potential misuse of power. Conservatives may view this situation as a clear example of hypocrisy — where a top law enforcement official who has aggressively targeted political opponents is now facing scrutiny for her own legal and financial conduct. It highlights concerns about a double standard in how legal and ethical issues are handled, especially among powerful political figures.
SOURCES: THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – Red Flags in Letitia James Handling of Her Father’s Estate Demand Another Investigation
REUTERS – FBI probes New York AG James over mortgage fraud allegations, media reports
TIMES UNION – FBI opens formal investigation of NY Attorney General Letitia James
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