US EditionProposed Budget Item Could Allocate Public Funds for Letitia James’ Legal Defense
- In late April 2025, Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul introduced a $254 billion budget for New York state that allocates $10 million to support legal expenses for elected officials, including Attorney General Letitia James.
- The fund provision emerged following a federal mortgage fraud prosecution referral against James in mid-April related to properties in Virginia and New York, which her attorney calls political retribution tied to her lawsuit against Donald Trump.
- The budget language explicitly covers criminal defense costs in federal cases unrelated to officials' public duties, and critics argue it is tailor-made to benefit James amid escalating legal conflicts with the Trump administration.
- Republican leaders and conservative commentators denounce the fund as corruption and a taxpayer-funded slush fund, with Ed Cox calling it "what corruption looks like in plain sight" and Elise Stefanik demanding its removal and an independent fraud probe.
- The budget faces criticism for being 37 days late, with defenders citing affordability goals, but the fund’s approval is expected soon, raising concerns about the use of taxpayer money for officials' private legal defenses amid New York’s cost-of-living and crime challenges.
18 Articles
18 Articles
‘Shameful’: MAGA 'outraged' as NY moves to cover Trump prosecutor's legal bills
A new provision in New York’s state budget has drawn MAGA backlash for what supporters of President Donald Trump are calling a “slush fund” to aid New York Attorney General Letitia James by covering her legal expenses.The budget line sets aside funds for state employees facing prosecution for doing their jobs – a move that appears connected to Trump’s escalating legal retribution against those involved in his past criminal prosecutions, accordin…
New York Dems Caught Trying To Use Taxpayer Dollars To Save Letitia James As FBI Takes Her Down - The American Tribune.com
Taxpayers may be on the hook for New York Attorney General Letitia James’ legal bills after cynical politicians slipped a loophole into the most recent state budget. New York Democrats are expected to sign off on a provision allowing certain officials to tap into a $10 million fund to cover “any reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred,” even for charges unrelated to their employment. For context, Letitia James was one of the key figures…
New York legislature passes long-delayed state budget — including provision for AG Letitia James’ legal defense
Lawmakers made the final votes on the spending plan Thursday evening after fierce debate over a provision slipped into the budget — first revealed by The Post — that could leave state taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars of legal fees for Attorney General Letitia James.
Democrats' Quiet Move Means Taxpayers Likely to Pay Letitia James' Legal Expenses Amid Criminal Probe: Report
New York state taxpayers could be on the hook for New York Attorney General Letitia James’s legal defense if the investigation against her leads to criminal charges, according to a […] The post Democrats' Quiet Move Means Taxpayers Likely to Pay Letitia James' Legal Expenses Amid Criminal Probe: Report appeared first on The Western Journal.
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