Letitia James asks judge to dismiss mortgage fraud case, calling it vindictive

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New York Attorney General Letitia James asked a federal judge Friday to dismiss a mortgage fraud case against her, calling it a vindictive and politically motivated prosecution brought at the behest of a president who regards her as an enemy.

The motion, which had been expected, argues the case against James was driven by personal "animus" that arose out of James' civil fraud lawsuit against President Trump and his companies in her capacity as state attorney general.

"This lawsuit, and AG James' outspoken criticism of the President, triggered six years of targeted attacks. President Trump and his allies have used every insulting term in their vocabulary to deride AG James and call for criminal penalties in retaliation for the exercise of her rights and fulfillment of her statutory duties to fulfill her obligations as New York state's attorney general," lawyers for James wrote in urging that the case be dismissed.

The name-calling by Mr. Trump includes describing her as "crooked," "scum," "a monster" and "criminal," according to the filing.

The filing is similar to one from another of Mr. Trump's perceived adversaries, former FBI Director James Comey, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of making a false statement and obstructing Congress. Comey has said the case against him is similarly vindictive and inspired by the president's desire for retribution.

James is accused of lying on mortgage papers to get favorable loan terms when purchasing a modest house in Norfolk, Virginia, where she has family. She pleaded not guilty last month, and told reporters outside the courthouse that the Trump administration was using the justice system as a "tool of revenge."

To bolster their claim of a vindictive prosecution, James' attorneys also assert that the Justice Department has singled her out for scrutiny "while ignoring apparent inconsistencies in the mortgage records of numerous other public officials."

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