WASHINGTON — A federal judge dismissed a criminal case against New York Attorney General Letitia James on Monday — less than two months after she was indicted on charges in connection with a Norfolk home, located on Peronne Avenue near Lafayette Boulevard she purchased.
Federal prosecutors accused James of misrepresenting her property as a second residence instead of a rental when applying for a mortgage.
U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie concluded that Lindsey Halligan, the prosecutor who brought the charges at President Donald Trump’s urging, was illegally appointed by the Justice Department. Currie also dismissed the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey for the same reason.
Halligan was tapped to serve as the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia in September after her predecessor, Erik Siebert, resigned amid concerns he would be forced out for failing to prosecute James, CBS reports.
Eric Claville, a political and legal analyst in Norfolk, said he wasn't shocked by the dismissals. "I wasn't shocked to hear that both cases were thrown out," Claville said. "I believe that both cases against James and Comey were very shaky to say the least. Of course you can bring any charges, but to actually be able to prove those charges, to have to actually go past a grand jury and into a trial is very hard."
Comey, who was indicted days after James, expressed gratitude for the court's decision. "I'm grateful that the court ended the case against me, which was a prosecution based on malevolence and incompetence," the former FBI director said.
James released a statement about the dismissal saying she's "heartened by today's victory."
The White House responded to the dismissals with a statement indicating the matter isn't closed, saying the judge's dismissal of both indictments "will not be the final word on this matter."
Legal experts suggest the cases are part of a broader pattern of political retribution. Claville noted the political nature of the current environment, saying that Comey himself acknowledged he wasn't surprised but expected the president would come after him again.
The dismissals raise questions about the appointment process for special prosecutors and highlight ongoing tensions between the current administration and high-profile figures who have previously opposed or investigated former President Trump.
Full speech: NY AG Letitia James tells supporters outside Norfolk courthouse she 'will not be deterred'
Monday's rulings amount to a stunning rebuke of the Trump administration’s efforts to target Trump’s political opponents as well as its legal maneuvering to hastily install a loyalist prosecutor willing to file the cases.
The orders make Halligan the latest Trump administration prosecutor to be disqualified because of the manner in which they were appointed.
