Journalism of Courage
Erik Siebert, the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, resigned Friday, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Siebert confirmed his departure in an email to colleagues, calling them the “finest and most exceptional” Justice Department employees but making no mention of the political turmoil surrounding his exit. Multiple people familiar with the matter told AP that Siebert had informed his colleagues of his plan to step down. us-attorney-overseeing-letita-james-probe-resigns-trump-call
The resignation followed President Donald Trump’s remarks in the Oval Office, where he told reporters he wanted Siebert “out.” Trump said he was frustrated that Siebert had been supported by Virginia’s two Democratic senators.
Siebert’s office had been overseeing a mortgage fraud investigation into New York Attorney General Letitia James, sparked by allegations from Federal Housing Finance Agency Director William Pulte. Pulte alleged that James had misrepresented her Norfolk, Virginia, home as her primary residence to obtain a favourable mortgage rate and may have misrepresented her Brooklyn property.
James’ lawyers have denied wrongdoing and described the investigation as politically motivated. Records and correspondence cited by her attorney, Abbe Lowell, indicated that James’ mortgage documents had mistakenly listed the property as her primary residence, but emails clarified she did not intend it to be so.
The investigation was also being coordinated by Justice Department official Ed Martin, a Trump ally. James’ lawyer accused Martin of seeking retribution for her civil fraud case against Trump, which previously resulted in a half-billion-dollar penalty for Trump and his family business, though a New York appeals court later overturned the financial penalty while keeping the underlying fraud case alive.
Trump, without citing evidence, said Friday, according to AP: “It looks to me like she’s really guilty of something, but I really don’t know.”
Letitia James is the New York Attorney General. She pursued legal action against Trump and his family business, including a civil fraud case that initially resulted in a half-billion-dollar penalty for Trump, which was later overturned by a New York appeals court while preserving the underlying fraud finding.
James is currently facing a mortgage fraud investigation related to her Brooklyn and Norfolk, Virginia, homes. Her attorneys have denied any wrongdoing and described the investigation as politically motivated.
Siebert’s top deputy, Maya Song, will continue working in the office as a line prosecutor.
(With inputs from Reuters, AP)
