Guest post by Joel Gilbert
One might argue that the desire to engage in politics is hardwired into the DNA of aspiring politicians. The telltale signs often emerge during their formative years, particularly in high school and college. Take Barack Obama, for instance, who made headlines as the editor of the Harvard Law Review, a position that certainly suggested political ambitions early on.
Similarly, Michelle Obama’s high school and college yearbooks brim with evidence of her leadership potential—she was a prominent fixture in student council, held the title of class treasurer, and participated in numerous activities such as dance, singing, and the French Club.
In stark contrast, Letitia James seems to have been a phantom during her academic years. Starting from her time at Fort Washington High School in Brooklyn, where she graduated in 1972, there is a conspicuous absence of her name in any yearbook. No memberships in clubs, no participation in musical or debate teams, and not even a single class photo to mark her presence.
The same narrative continues through her six years at CUNY’s Lehman College in the Bronx. My recent visit to the campus library revealed that the yearbooks from 1976 to 1982 contain no mention of her—no activities, organizations, or class photos to speak of.
Even her time at Howard University Law School appears to follow this trend, with a solitary class photo from her graduation year in 1986 being the only evidence of her academic journey.
This begs the question: when and where did Letitia James develop her political aspirations, particularly her radical inclinations? Evidence points to her decade-long mentorship under radical New York State Assemblyman Al Vann during the 1990s.
James herself has recounted, “I was a student of Al Vann. He was all about institutional building and coined the phrase ‘community empowerment.’ I basically stalked him because I wanted to work for him. Ultimately, he relented, and I was his counsel for 10 years.” Vann’s influence undoubtedly shaped James’s interest in racial politics.
Vann, a notable “race man,” co-founded the African American Teachers Association and played a crucial role in New York City’s Black political empowerment movement. He often wielded the race card, even when it lacked substantiation.
One incident that likely left a lasting impact on James occurred in 2006, when five NYPD officers discharged their weapons at a fleeing vehicle driven by the intoxicated Sean Bell, who tragically lost his life. Vann was a vocal participant in the protests that ensued.
During one City Council meeting, he expressed his exhaustion over attending the funerals of young Black men who fell victim to police violence, stating, “We have to admit what the problem is. Yes, the problem is institutional racism.” Notably, he overlooked that three of the five officers involved in the shooting were Black, including the one who initiated the gunfire.
Vann’s mentorship propelled James into her political career. After Vann’s tenure in the State Assembly, he successfully transitioned to the City Council in 2001. James followed suit, securing a seat on the City Council just two years later, buoyed by Vann’s endorsement.
However, her rise as a City Councilwoman didn’t deter her from engaging in questionable practices that had begun under Vann’s guidance. Over the past six weeks, I have investigated evidence of mortgage fraud linked to James in my series “The Letitia Files” on . My findings reveal that when obtaining loans and refinancing for her building, James consistently reported only four apartment units, despite the official Certificate of Occupancy (CoO) indicating a five-unit building.
By misrepresenting the number of units, James was able to secure lower residential interest rates and insurance premiums while qualifying for a government HAMP loan at a mere 2.7%. According to the official Making Home Affordable Program Handbook, eligibility is restricted to owner-occupied properties with no more than four units.
In her HAMP application, James asserted a financial hardship, claiming, “I am experiencing a financial hardship, and as a result, (i) I am in default under the Loan Documents, and (ii) I do not have sufficient income or access to sufficient liquid assets to make the monthly mortgage payments now or in the future.” This statement stands in stark contrast to her reported earnings of approximately $14,000 per month from her roles in the City Council, CUNY, and rental income.
My research, along with Sam Antar’s, contributed to the referral of James to the Department of Justice by Bill Pulte, Director of the United States Federal Housing Finance Agency, for potential criminal prosecution. In response, James has enlisted the services of Democratic attorney Abbie Lowell.
Currently, indications suggest that Attorney General Pam Bondi is advancing with an investigation into Letitia James. Fox News contributor Paul Mauro has hinted that “a lot is coming on the Letitia James front,” according to his sources.
The specter of Letitia James’s elusive academic history raises doubts about her inherent political inclinations. Instead, it appears that a blend of racial resentment and opportunistic ambition may have awakened the latent politician within her. Much like Captain Ahab’s obsessive quest for the great white whale, Letitia James has staked her career on a perilous pursuit, and, unfortunately for her, it seems the whale won.
Joel Gilbert is a Los Angeles-based film producer and president of Highway 61 Entertainment. He can be found on Twitter: @JoelSGilbert.
