New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led a legal case against US President Donald Trump over alleged fraud in his businesses, has been charged with lying on a mortgage application, drawing accusations of political vindictiveness by the White House.Her first court appearance is set for October 24.Here is what we know:Who is Letitia James?James is the attorney general of New York, a Democrat who has built her reputation on pursuing powerful figures and institutions.She gained national attention for leading civil cases against Trump, his family, and the Trump Organization, securing a major fraud ruling earlier this year.Now 66, James has served as New York’s attorney general since 2019, when she made history as the first Black woman elected to statewide office. New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a news conference, in New York [File: Mary Altaffer/AP]What exactly are the charges against her?The five-page indictment accuses James of two felony counts:Bank fraud: Prosecutors allege she misrepresented details on a mortgage application in order to secure more favourable loan terms.Making false statements to a financial institution: The indictment alleges that in 2020, James bought a three-bedroom house in Norfolk, Virginia, and obtained better mortgage terms by claiming it would be a secondary residence.Instead, prosecutors say she treated it as a rental property, leasing it to a family. That misrepresentation allegedly lowered her loan costs and, over time, saved her nearly $19,000. Advertisement US prosecutor Lindsey Halligan said that if James is convicted, she could face up to 30 years in prison on each count, as well as fines of up to $1m per charge.What is an indictment, and what does it mean in practice?In most federal cases, an indictment takes plac …
