New York Attorney General Letitia James is being represented by noted Washington, D.C. attorney Abbe Lowell, who has a reputation for defending high-profile Democrats, including Hunter Biden.
This past Thursday, James faced a surprising federal indictment in Virginia, where she is accused of providing false information on loan documents for a Virginia home, allegedly saving her $19,000.
Lowell, a favored legal counsel for influential Democrats, released a statement vehemently opposing the charges against James, asserting she “flatly and forcefully denies these allegations.”
“We are gravely concerned that this case is motivated by President Trump’s desire for revenge,” he said, referencing James’ ongoing civil fraud lawsuit against Trump.
Lowell, who was hired by James in April as the Trump administration scrutinized her real estate transactions, also represents Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook in her appeal against her dismissal, which accuses her of similar fraud.
Lowell garnered attention for defending Biden in his legal matters related to gun possession and tax issues.
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Although Biden was convicted in one trial for illegally possessing a firearm while under the influence of drugs and accepted guilt in another case for tax evasion, he was pardoned by President Joe Biden prior to leaving office in December 2024.
Lowell has also recently defended former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, currently serving time in prison after a bribery conviction while he appeals his case.
Menendez was convicted in July 2024 of accepting bribes, including gold bars, in return for leveraging his position to benefit affluent businessmen and nations like Qatar and Egypt.
Despite recent losses, Lowell’s track record doesn’t reflect his capability, but rather his willingness to tackle challenging cases, according to former prosecutor Neama Rahmani.
“These cases were challenging regardless of who was defending them,” Rahmani stated on Friday.
As a criminal defense lawyer, particularly in federal cases, “losing is typically expected,” Rahmani remarked. “Acquittals are rare.”
James’ case may also prove difficult due to the apparent falsehood in her claim that her Virginia property would be her primary residence, noted Rahmani.
“This is a tough one to defend,” Rahmani added. “I’m not suggesting it shouldn’t have been pursued or that it’s a wise use of resources, but solely based on merit, it seems to be bank fraud.”
James faces allegations of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution, potentially exposing her to 60 years in prison and fines up to $2 million if found guilty.
Prosecutors claim that she purchased a three-bedroom, one-bathroom home in Norfolk, Virginia, in August 2020 for around $137,000 and took out a $109,600 loan that prohibited her from renting it out.
Despite specifying on loan documents that the home would serve as a secondary residence, prosecutors allege she classified it as a rental investment on tax forms, profiting thousands of dollars.
James is among Trump’s political adversaries facing indictment within weeks.
Indicted last month was former FBI Director James Comey, over accusations of lying to Congress regarding his investigation into the Trump campaign’s alleged connections to Russia.
Both James and Comey assert they are victims of selective prosecution by the Department of Justice, prompted by their investigations into Trump.
James previously secured a $355 million judgment against Trump when a New York judge determined he had misrepresented the valuation of his real estate holdings to secure favorable loan agreements.
Yet Trump successfully moved to overturn the massive verdict.
On Thursday, James, a Democrat, denounced the indictment as “merely an extension of the president’s vengeful use of our judicial system.”
“He is compelling federal law enforcement agencies to act on his behalf because I executed my duties as the New York state attorney general,” she stated.
Comey, following his indictment, expressed heartbreak for the Department of Justice.
Comey’s attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, who is also his long-time friend and former U.S. attorney in Chicago, intends to challenge the indictment, claiming it is a product of vindictive prosecution arising from the improper appointment of U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, who initiated proceedings against both James and Comey.
Halligan was previously Trump’s personal attorney and took office in the Eastern District of Virginia, succeeding Erik Siebert, who was let go by Trump.
James is set to make her initial court appearance regarding the case on October 24.
Lowell did not respond to a request for comment on Friday.
