The Letitia Recordsdata:
1. Big Development: Is Letitia James Guilty of Mortgage Fraud?
2. Mortgage Fraud Alert: Did Letitia James Marry Her Father?
Visitor submit by Joel Gilbert
New York Lawyer Normal Letitia James’ multi-family condo constructing in Brooklyn has begun to resemble against the law scene. Final week, I revealed two main incidences of potential mortgage fraud by James.
I detailed Letitia’s misrepresentations in her government HAMP Loan software whereby she falsified the variety of condo models in her constructing to acquire a mortgage at 2.7% on the again of the American taxpayer.
I additionally revealed that James as soon as obtained a house mortgage by claiming she had married her father. By borrowing along with her father, Robert James, as “husband and spouse,” she was capable of safe a house mortgage when she was 24 years outdated.
Now the highlight is shining on what may very well be thought of unlawful marketing campaign exercise by Letitia James in 2013 when she ran for New York Metropolis Public Advocate.
The New York City Campaign Finance Board is an unbiased, nonpartisan company that oversees the town’s marketing campaign finance system.
Its fundamental obligations embrace making certain candidates adjust to NYC’s marketing campaign finance legal guidelines, together with contribution limits, spending restrictions, and monetary disclosure necessities.
Looking their records for Letitia James, it signifies her marketing campaign employed New York Communities for Change (NYCC), a non-profit 501(c)(4) group, to have interaction in political marketing campaign exercise on her behalf in September, October, and November of 2013.
The campaign activities listed by James point out that her marketing campaign paid NYCC for “Marketing campaign Staff,” “Canvassing,” “Staffing,” and “Workers/Lease/Cellphone.” The overall expenditures had been $3,494.38.
NYCC describes itself as a grassroots group centered on group organizing, direct motion, and legislative advocacy to handle points like housing, environmental justice, and group security in New York.
They declare, “We’re combating for secure, inexpensive & secure properties and neighborhoods as an alternative of evictions and displacement” and “A secure and thriving planet to construct our communities on”.
There are distinctions within the IRS guidelines between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations as regards political exercise. The legislation relating to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations is strict – non-profits can’t take part in any political exercise.
James herself issued a press release in 2020 entitled “Attorney General James Issues Political Activity Guidance for Non-Profits Ahead of the November Election”. Within the launch, James lectured non-profits, warning them prematurely of the 2020 election that they had been strictly prohibited from partaking in any political exercise.
NYCC was organized in New York as a 501(c)(4) in 2009 as a successor to ACORN. Firms organized as 501(c)(4) are referred to as “Social Welfare Non-Earnings” and their donations will not be tax deductible.
Working for social welfare, according to the IRS, signifies that a company should “function primarily to additional the widespread good and normal welfare of the folks of the group.”
A 501(c)(4) can interact in some political actions, together with advocacy and lobbying, however political work can’t be their major exercise.
They’re allowed to have interaction in issues like posting partisan political messages on social media, however they can not instantly help or oppose candidates for public workplace in a public method.
Whereas they could conduct unbiased political expenditures, they can not coordinate with campaigns. Accordingly, political campaigns in the US keep away from 501(c)(4) organizations as a result of they’re prohibited from coordinating directly with political campaigns or candidates.
If a 501(c)(4) had been to offer marketing campaign employees or canvassing companies to a candidate, it could be thought of an in-kind contribution. Subsequently, all of the actions that Letitia James paid NYCC for in 2013, “Marketing campaign Staff”, “Canvassing”, “Staffing”, and “Workers/Lease/Cellphone” had been very possible not authorized.
New York Lawyer Normal Letitia James has constantly emphasised the significance of upholding the legislation. Her statements embrace “Because the elected Lawyer Normal of New York, I’ve a sworn obligation to guard and uphold state legislation.
My workplace will observe the info of any case, wherever they lead.” She has additionally mentioned, “In New York, we worth the rule of legislation, and my workplace will at all times work to make sure our legal guidelines are defended, irrespective of who makes an attempt to sidestep or ignore them.”
Letitia James has repeatedly acknowledged that “nobody is above the legislation.” If she stands by that precept, then transparency round her marketing campaign’s dealings with NYCC is the least New Yorkers deserve.
Have been the funds authorized? Was NYCC appearing inside its nonprofit mandate? Or did the Lawyer Normal’s marketing campaign improperly profit from hiring a non-profit for political acquire?
Solely a full accounting – and maybe an official investigation – can reply these questions definitively.
Now stands out as the time for Letitia James to resign within the hopes that her resignation would possibly discourage a federal investigation for mortgage fraud and unlawful marketing campaign exercise.
Joel Gilbert is a Los Angeles-based movie producer and president of Highway 61 Entertainment.
