Conservative Group Files Bar Complaint Against New York Attorney General Letitia James
NEW YORK — A conservative-aligned watchdog group has filed a bar complaint against New York Attorney General Letitia James, urging an investigation into her professional conduct related to a mortgage on a property in Norfolk, Virginia. The complaint was submitted to the state’s Attorney Grievance Committee by the Center to Advance Security in America (CASA), which alleges that James engaged in “illegal and dishonest conduct” in connection with the mortgage, according to officials familiar with the filing.
The complaint cites concerns under New York’s Rules of Professional Conduct, which govern the ethical standards for lawyers in the state. Curtis Schube, CASA’s director of research and policy, wrote in the four-page complaint that factors such as fraud, misrepresentation, honesty, and trustworthiness are key considerations when determining whether to discipline an attorney. The group called for an immediate investigation and appropriate disciplinary action if the allegations are substantiated by a preponderance of the evidence.
The bar complaint follows a recent federal court decision in which a judge dismissed indictments against James and former FBI Director James Comey. The charges, which included bank fraud allegations against James, were thrown out by U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie on the grounds that the indictments were brought by an unqualified U.S. attorney. The dismissal was without prejudice, allowing for the possibility of the charges being refiled.
The Department of Justice has announced plans to appeal the ruling. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the DOJ believes Lindsey Halligan, the special assistant to the president who presented the charges to the grand juries, was legally appointed and highly qualified for her role.
Judge Currie, a Clinton appointee from South Carolina, was assigned to oversee the case due to conflicts for Virginia judges. The challenges to Halligan’s appointment by both James and Comey were consolidated because of their similarity. Halligan acted independently in presenting the charges to the grand juries.
The complaint and the federal case are part of ongoing scrutiny surrounding James’ conduct related to the mortgage, which has drawn attention from political and legal observers. The watchdog group’s filing represents a formal request for the state bar to review whether James’ actions violated professional ethical standards.
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