Category: Letitia James
Obama judge derails probe into Letitia James
A federal judge who was appointed by former President Barack Obama issued an order on Thursday disqualifying John Sarcone as the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York.
Adding insult to injury, Judge Lorna Schofield then tossed the subpoenas Sarcone’s office issued in August to state Attorney General Letitia James regarding civil cases brought by the Empire State against President Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association.
‘It acts without lawful authority.’
Sarcone has been investigating whether James’ office violated the president’s civil rights and the rights of others.
Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Sarcone as interim U.S. attorney for NDNY on Feb. 28. His 120-day term began in earnest on March 1.
Since Sarcone was neither formally nominated by the president nor confirmed by the Senate, it was left up to a panel of judges overseeing the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York to appoint an attorney for the district at the end of Sarcone’s term, just one month after he was threatened with a knife, allegedly by an illegal alien.
RELATED: The courts are running the country — and Trump is letting it happen
Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Image
Although the panel declined to grant Sarcone a permanent appointment, Bondi designated him special attorney and first assistant U.S. attorney, effectively keeping him in charge of the office.
Schofield claimed in her ruling on Thursday that Sarcone was not lawfully serving as the acting U.S. attorney for the NDNY as his appointment supposedly “violates the [Federal Vacancies Reform Act] and the statutes governing U.S. Attorney appointments.”
“When the Executive branch of government skirts restraints put in place by Congress and then uses that power to subject political adversaries to criminal investigations, it acts without lawful authority,” wrote Schofield.
She suggested further that because Sarcone “used authority he did not lawfully possess to direct the issuance of the subpoenas, the subpoenas are quashed.”
A spokesperson from James’ office said in a statement obtained by CNN, “This decision is an important win for the rule of law, and we will continue to defend our office’s successful litigation from this administration’s political attacks.”
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
THROWN OUT: Judge Dismisses Comey, James Indictments — But Charges Could Be Brought Again
According to a Fox News report, federal Judge Cameron Currie found that Lindsey Halligan could not charge James Comey and Letitia James.
Judge axes indictments against Trump foes James Comey, Letitia James
A federal judge dismissed the cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James Monday.
Senior U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie dismissed the two indictments, ruling that President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer Lindsey Halligan was invalidly appointed to her position.
‘No one is above the law.’
Currie said that “all actions flowing from Ms. Halligan’s defective appointment” to serve as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia “were unlawful exercises of executive power and hereby set aside.”
Prosecutors who work alongside Halligan said U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has the authority to choose whom to appoint to the position and that the 120-day period interim U.S. attorneys serve operates as a temporary check-in system for appointees.
RELATED: Eric Swalwell offers melodramatic response to Trump DOJ probe: ‘I refuse to live in fear’
Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images
“The implications of a contrary conclusion are extraordinary,” Currie said of Halligan’s appointment. “It would mean the government could send any private citizen off the street — attorney or not — into the grand jury room to secure an indictment so long as the Attorney General gives her approval after the fact. That cannot be the law.”
Currie dismissed the cases without prejudice, keeping the door open for the cases to be refiled, though whether they will be remains unclear. The Department of Justice may also opt to appeal Currie’s decision. Blaze News reached out to Bondi’s office for comment.
Comey was indicted in September for “serious crimes related to the disclosure of sensitive information,” with the Department of Justice alleging that the former director lied to Congress.
“No one is above the law,” Bondi said in a statement following the indictment. “Today’s indictment reflects this Department of Justice’s commitment to holding those who abuse positions of power accountable for misleading the American people. We will follow the facts in this case.”
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
James was indicted shortly after Comey in October over allegations of bank fraud and providing false statements to a financial institution. If James had been convicted, she would have faced up to 30 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines on each count.
“The charges as alleged in this case represent intentional, criminal acts and tremendous breaches of the public’s trust,” Halligan said in a statement following the indictment. “The facts and the law in this case are clear, and we will continue following them to ensure that justice is served.”
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Eric Swalwell offers melodramatic response to Trump DOJ probe: ‘I refuse to live in fear’
California Rep. Eric Swalwell is the latest of several Democrats to come under fire from the Trump administration, this time for alleged mortgage fraud.
Swalwell was referred to President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice for allegations of mortgage and tax fraud related to his residence in Washington, D.C.
The California Democrat is just one of four political adversaries the Trump administration has investigated. Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California, Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook, and New York Attorney General Letitia James are also facing allegations of mortgage fraud.
‘I will not end my lawsuit against him.’
Because of the Trump administration’s string of legal cases against Democrats, Swalwell argues his referral was motivated purely by political purposes.
“As the most vocal critic of Donald Trump over the last decade and as the only person who still has a surviving lawsuit against him, the only thing I am surprised about is that it took him this long to come after me,” Swalwell said in a statement Thursday.
RELATED: When I brought the truth to Congress, Democrats lost their minds
Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images
In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Bill Pulte alleged that there were several million dollars’ worth of loans and refinancing based on Swalwell’s declaration of his D.C. home as his primary residence.
Pulte also alleged that Swalwell may have made inaccurate or misleading statements in certain loan documents, prompting an investigation into potential mortgage fraud, state and local tax fraud, insurance fraud, and any other related crimes.
“Like James Comey and John Bolton, Adam Schiff and Lisa Cook, Letitia James and the dozens more to come — I refuse to live in fear in what was once the freest country in the world,” Swalwell said.
RELATED: Eric Swalwell finally answers Chinese spy allegations: ‘I would hope that would be enough’
Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
“Of course, I will not end my lawsuit against him,” Swalwell added. “And I will not stop speaking out against the president and speaking up for Californians.”
“As Mark Twain said, ‘Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.’ Mr. President, do better. Be better.”
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
TISH PLEADS ‘NOT GUILTY’: NY AG Enters Plea in Federal Mortgage Fraud Case
New York Attorney General Letitia James was arraigned Friday in federal court in Norfolk, Virginia, where she pleaded not guilty to two felony counts:
