Embattled NY AG Letitia James defiant in first appearance since indictment: ‘I will not bow down!’

New York Attorney General Letitia James She was defiant Monday in her first public appearance since she was indicted on federal charges over allegations that she committed bank fraud and lied to a financial institution to get a lower interest rate on a mortgage.

“We see powerful voices trying to silence the truth, punish dissent, and use justice as a weapon for political gain,” James told his supporters. Zahran Mamdani At a New York City mayoral rally in Washington Heights.

“We are witnessing the fraying of our democracy, the erosion of our system of government,” the Empire State’s top prosecutor said, describing the current political situation as a “defining moment in our history.”

James who faces 60 years behind bars If convicted b Two charges against herHe called on the march participants to “stand together to defend our rights.”

The accused prosecutor continued: “To protect every guarantee, every institution, every immigrant, every rule and every rule of law.”

“I know what it feels like to be attacked just for doing your job,” James said. “But I also know what it’s like to overcome adversity. That’s why I stand on solid rock.”

“I will not bend! I will not break! I will not bend! I will not surrender! I will not surrender! I will not surrender!” I shouted.

“You’re coming for me, you have to go through all of us! Every one – every one of us. We’re all in this together.”

Amid her legal troubles, James said that “over the past few days” she has “gathered” the “strength” and “courage” of her ancestors.

She pledged to “continue to fight the aggressive policies of Washington, D.C.” and stressed that she “will not give in” or “surrender.”

“I’m not afraid of anyone,” James declared.

The raucous audience gave James a standing ovation when she took the stage and at the conclusion of her speech, chanting: “We love Tish! We love Tish!”

She also gave James Mamdani her full endorsement, calling the socialist her “very dear friend” and “little brother”.

The Eastern District of Virginia handed up the indictment against James last week.

The Department of Justice alleges that James misrepresented how she would use the Norfolk, Virginia, property she purchased in 2020 under documents to obtain a $109,600 mortgage.

James agreed to a “second home” when she took out the loan, according to the indictment, which requires the prosecutor to “occupy and use the property as her secondary residence, and to prohibit its use as a timeshare or other co-ownership arrangement or agreement that would require her to either rent the property or give any other person any control over the occupancy or use of the property.”

Despite these assertions, the Norfolk property “was not occupied or used by James as a secondary residence, but rather was used as a rental investment property,” prosecutors wrote.

The “misrepresentation” allowed James to obtain a mortgage rate that would not have been available had she told the lender she planned to rent out the home, according to the Department of Justice.

Prosecutors allege that her “ill-gotten gains” from the lower mortgage rate amounted to “approximately $18,933 over the life of the loan.”