World

Jury refuses to indict New York attorney general again

By AAP Newswire

Dec 12, 2025

A federal grand jury ⁠in Virginia has refused to indict New ‌York Attorney General ‍Letitia James on allegations of mortgage fraud for ‌the second time since a judge dismissed ‍charges against her last month.

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The ‍decision marks the latest rebuke to the Department of Justice under US President Donald Trump as it pursues perceived political enemies of the Republican president.

US ‌District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie last month dismissed a mortgage-related criminal case against James, an ‍elected Democrat, finding the prosecutor who brought it, Trump ally Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed as interim US Attorney for Virginia's Eastern District.

Thursday's decision marks the second time a grand jury has rejected prosecutors' attempts to revive the case.

It's another major blow to the Justice Department after the dismissal of earlier charges against James and another longtime Trump foe, former FBI director James Comey, in a stunning rebuke of the Trump administration's efforts to prosecute the president's political opponents.

The allegations against James related to the purchase of modest house in Norfolk, where she has family.

James says the case is politically motivated and has denied any wrongdoing.

with AP