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Last Updated on: 18th June 2024, 09:30 am
Letitia “Tish” James, the New York State Attorney General, became a well-known political name after she filed a civil fraud lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, as well as three of his children and two business associates.
Here are some more facts about Letitia James that may surprise you:
1. She Is the First Black Female New York Attorney General
In 2018, James made history by achieving significant milestones in New York’s political landscape. Her election as the state’s Attorney General marked her as the first woman to hold this position and the first Black woman to be elected to a major statewide office in New York.
2. She Was Responsible For The Resignation of Andrew Cuomo
One of Letitia James’ notable achievements was her role in bringing about the resignation of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The resignation followed the release of a damning 168-page report outlining allegations of sexual harassment made by 11 women against Cuomo, which generated widespread calls for his resignation from various corners, including City Hall, the White House, and the statehouse.
The allegations of sexual harassment collided with increasing evidence that Cuomo and his office withheld and misrepresented data regarding nursing home deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. She Didn’t Pursue Her Chief of Staff For Similar Crimes
Although James pursued Cuomo, who was already getting backlash over the nursing home scandal, for sexual harassment claims, James is accused of covering up similar claims against her chief of staff, Ibrahim Khan, for political reasons.
Khan resigned after facing multiple harassment complaints.
Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, claims that James concealed the investigation into Khan, questioning her integrity and accusing her of prioritizing her political aspirations over addressing the allegations.
The complaints against Khan were reportedly kept quiet until after James won her re-election. The allegations are now under review by the law firm Littler Mendelson, raising questions about the approval process for the investigation. Khan had been a long-standing advisor to James and served in various roles within her office.
She ‘believes all women’ when it’s in her political interest — otherwise, she attacks the accuser or covers up the complaint,” Azzopardi said.
4. She Went After Donald Trump On Her First Day In Office
Letitia James did not waste a single day after being elected before going after one of the biggest names in her state.
On her first day in office, James attacked Trump saying, “He should know that we here in New York – and I, in particular – we are not scared of you.”
She also said that she would “a bright light into every dark corner of his real estate dealings, and every dealing, demanding truthfulness at every turn,” according to BBC.
5. She Has Never Been Married
James has never been married and does not live with a partner, according to Time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she experienced social isolation but remained connected with her neighbors anf she lives across the street from her church.
For fun, she likes reading newspapers, watching news channels, and enjoying a chai latte for breakfast. When it comes to leisure activities, she describes herself as a “huge fangirl” of Rachel Maddow and engages in reading books such as “The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth.”
6. She Approved a Sweetheart Settlement Deal For Harvey Weinstein
Letitia James faced considerable backlash for her role in approving a highly criticized settlement deal related to film producer and sex predator Harvey Weinstein, which was ultimately rejected by Manhattan Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who strongly criticized its terms and referred to it as ‘obnoxious’.
The deal, which amounted to $19 million, would give survivors of Weinstein’s abuse 7,500 to $750,000 each, which would be paid entirely by insurers.
Weinstein would not pay a cent out of pocket.
Critics, including lawyers representing the victims, argued that James’ approval of the settlement went against earlier promises she had made to victims and their attorneys. They contended that the terms restricted the victims’ ability to seek further compensation and limited their say in how they pursued their cases.
James defended her decision, saying that the necessity of a comprehensive settlement was to secure some form of justice for the victims, given the statute of limitations on many of their cases.
7. The Court Dismissed James’ Allegations Of Fraud Against Ivanka Trump
Letitia James’ $250 million lawsuit against Ivanka Trump, accusing her of business fraud during her time at the Trump Organization, was dismissed by a state appeals court.
The court ruled that James’ older claims were outside the state’s statute of limitations.
The newer accusations made against Ivanka in the lawsuit happened when Ivanka was not even working for the Trump organization.
The court specified that the allegations did not support claims that accrued after February 6, 2016, resulting in the dismissal of all claims against Ivanka Trump.
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