High-profile politicians embroiled in financial scandals

New York Attorney General Letitia James has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. The charges relate to her purchase of a home in Norfolk, Virginia, which she allegedly used as a rental property despite claiming it as a secondary residence. James' legal team has accused the justice department of being 'weaponised' against her and has asked for a speedy trial. The case has been set for January 26. James has previously brought charges against Donald Trump and his company, and has accused Trump of using the justice system as a 'vehicle of retribution' against her.

Eleanor Holmes Norton, an 88-year-old non-voting delegate representing the District of Columbia in the House of Representatives, was scammed out of $4,362 by individuals posing as HVAC workers at her Washington, DC home. A police report noted that Norton has 'early stages of dementia,' which her office dismissed as an unqualified assumption by the reporting officer. Norton's office stated that she employs a 'house manager' who oversees maintenance services and that the incident was immediately reported to the police after it was discovered that no appointment had been scheduled. The suspects remain at large, and the case is being investigated as a felony fraud.

A Virginia federal prosecutor, Beth Yusi, was fired for allegedly mishandling sensitive information related to a bank fraud case against New York Attorney General Letitia James. Yusi had opposed bringing charges against James, authoring an internal memo finding no probable cause. However, she allegedly sent investigative files containing James' personally identifying information to her private email account. James has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which carry a potential penalty of up to 60 years in prison and a $2 million fine.