A New York judge disqualified a Trump administration federal prosecutor, John Sarcone, from overseeing investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling he was not lawfully serving as acting U.S. attorney. The judge determined the Department of Justice did not follow the proper statutory procedure after judges declined to extend Sarcone’s tenure. This decision blocks subpoenas requested by Sarcone, who was challenged by James after issuing subpoenas related to her lawsuits against Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association. The ruling is part of a series of judicial actions across the country questioning the legality of Trump administration maneuvers to install top federal prosecutors without Senate confirmation.
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New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani will be sworn into office by two prominent figures: State Attorney General Letitia James and Senator Bernie Sanders. Senator Sanders will oversee a ceremonial swearing-in at a New Year’s Day block party, while James will officially swear in Mamdani at midnight. The transition team emphasized that Sanders’ progressive values inspired Mamdani’s campaign. James, a key supporter, endorsed Mamdani despite a primary election system that allowed voters to rank candidates.
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New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against UPS, alleging the company cheated seasonal holiday workers out of millions of dollars in wages. An investigation revealed that UPS failed to record all hours worked, required off-the-clock labor, and manipulated timekeeping systems. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, claims UPS violated state and federal labor laws by not paying minimum, promised, and overtime wages to seasonal workers. UPS responded by stating they are aware of the lawsuit and take all accusations seriously while investigating the matter.
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2nd grand jury refuses to indict New York AG Letitia James: Sources, and honestly, the fact that a second grand jury has now declined to indict her feels pretty significant. It’s like, “Whoa, hold on a second. Two juries, on separate occasions, both looked at whatever evidence was presented and said ‘Nope.'” That’s not just a little speed bump; it’s a full-on roadblock. You have to wonder what exactly was presented to them, and how strong the case really was, if at all.
2nd grand jury refuses to indict New York AG Letitia James: Sources, and this repetition of the same outcome in a short timeframe really underscores something important about the legal process.… Continue reading
A grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia, declined to re-indict New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday, marking a second rejection of a mortgage fraud prosecution. The case, related to James’s home purchase in Norfolk, Virginia, was initially encouraged by former President Donald Trump. This outcome follows the dismissal of previous charges against James and former FBI Director James Comey, both of whom are known Trump foes. The dismissal of these cases has raised concerns about the potential weaponization of law enforcement for political purposes.
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A federal grand jury in Virginia has declined to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James, days after a judge dismissed the earlier case against her, which alleged bank fraud and false statements. The cases against James and Comey were dismissed without prejudice, meaning the government could attempt to indict them again. This is a rare occurrence, as grand juries rarely decline a prosecutor’s request to indict. James, who has previously brought charges against Trump, released a statement praising the grand jury’s decision, calling the charges baseless and a weaponization of the justice system.
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Grand jury rejections, particularly when concerning high-profile figures, can say a lot about the legal process and public perception. The recent refusal by a federal grand jury in Norfolk, Virginia, to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James on alleged mortgage fraud charges is a prime example. This outcome, coming shortly after the dismissal of an earlier case based on a technicality, highlights some interesting dynamics. The Department of Justice’s (DOJ) attempts to refile the case, and the subsequent “no true bill” returned by the grand jury, sends a very clear message: the evidence, or the way it was presented, wasn’t strong enough to warrant charges.… Continue reading
After a federal judge dismissed the initial charges, a grand jury declined to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James in a mortgage fraud case for the second time. The Justice Department, however, may seek indictment a third time, indicating the intensity of their efforts. The charges stemmed from accusations of false statements and bank fraud, but were initially thrown out due to the unlawful appointment of the prosecutor. The defense argued the appointment of Trump’s handpicked prosecutor was invalid, and the case has been met with claims of selective and vindictive prosecution.
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A federal judge invalidated the criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James due to the unlawful appointment of the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie ruled that Halligan, appointed as interim US attorney by the Trump administration, lacked the authority to present the indictments, deeming her appointment invalid. The ruling was a major victory for both Comey and James, who faced charges of lying to Congress and mortgage fraud, respectively, with both denying any wrongdoing. The decision also highlighted concerns about potential political motivations behind the charges and questioned the proper procedures in obtaining the indictments.
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The White House responded to the dismissal of criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James, asserting the Department of Justice (DOJ) will appeal the ruling. Judge Cameron McGowan Currie dismissed the cases due to the disqualification of interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, whose appointment was deemed legally invalid. White House officials maintain the indictments’ facts remain unchanged, emphasizing the president’s commitment to accountability and correcting alleged weaponization of the justice system. The DOJ is expected to consider an appeal, which would move the case to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, or it could refile the charges with new leadership.
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