By Timothy Sekerak, Daily Caller News Foundation | August 16, 2025
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Special Attorney Ed Martin was spotted inspecting Democratic New York Attorney General (AG) Letitia James’ home in Brooklyn on Friday.
Martin visited James‘ home amid a federal mortgage fraud investigation against her, the New York Post reported.
Martin was appointed as special attorney by AG Pam Bondi Aug. 8 to investigate mortgage fraud allegations against James and Democratic California Sen. Adam Schiff.
Grand juries in both Maryland and Virginia are currently considering whether to bring criminal charges against James and Schiff, based on accusations that they manipulated property documents to obtain better loan conditions, the outlet reported.
While James’ home is considered a five-unit residence, she’s accused of having classified it as a four-unit residence on mortgage applications, building permits, and filings to obtain government assistance, the outlet added.
This allowed her to qualify for loans with better interest rates and smaller down payments through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — which are exclusive to properties with four or fewer residential units.
The allegations also accuse James and her father of listing themselves as “husband and wife” to meet lending rules when they signed the mortgage papers, according to the outlet.
While Martin was inspecting the building, a resident reportedly confronted him and demanded to know what he was doing.
“Tell me why you’re here. We know who lives here . . . You’re not here about the houses. You’re here because of who lives here. It’s my neighborhood. It’s my block. I have a right to know what you guys are doing,” said the resident, according to the outlet.
“I’m just happy to be on a block looking at houses . . . I’m just looking at houses, interesting houses. It’s an important house,” Martin replied.
The investigation started in April when Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte asked the DOJ to investigate James, the outlet noted.
Pulte claimed James possibly falsified bank documents and property records by claiming a Norfolk, Virginia, home would be her main residence while acting as New York AG, and that the property she owned in Brooklyn would be her second residence.
Martin credited Pulte with getting the ball rolling on the investigation and added that nobody is above the law.
“Bill Pulte and his FHFA team got this started with his criminal referral,” Martin told the outlet. “And as Tish James and Adam Schiff always say: ‘Nobody is above the law.'”
Timothy Sekerak is a contributor at the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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