On May 21, New York Attorney General Letitia James attempted to deflect growing controversy over a criminal referral to the Department of Justice regarding her real estate dealings. Speaking before the Association for a Better New York, James claimed her motives were purely familial.
“In reality, the power of attorney was never used to determine my eligibility for a mortgage for my niece for a home in the state of Virginia,” James said. “My niece has children, and because I’m a good aunt, I wanted her to have a home.”
This statement was in reference to allegations raised by forensic fraud investigator Sam Antar and widely circulated by The Gateway Pundit. At issue is a 2023 mortgage James co-signed for a property at 604 Sterling Street in Norfolk, Virginia. She filed a notarized power of attorney on August 17, 2023, declaring under oath that she “intended to occupy this property as her principal residence.” Yet at the time, James was legally domiciled in Brooklyn, New York, serving as state Attorney General.
William Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, cited this declaration in an April 14, 2025 letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, alleging that James may have falsified bank documents and property records to acquire government-backed assistance and loans with more favorable terms.
Pulte noted that mortgages for primary residences typically offer better rates and conditions than those for second homes or investment properties. James’s HAMP loan and her claim of marriage to her father were also cited by Pulte for investigation.
James’s explanation, that she is a “good aunt” merely helping her niece and her children – is now facing deeper scrutiny. While her words evoked images of needy young children, the facts paint a more troubling picture.
Letitia James’s niece, Shamice Thompson-Hairston, was 53 years old at the time of the home purchase. Two of her children – whom James’s statement implied were minors – are both adults, and both have significant criminal histories.
Shamice Hairston’s adult daughter, Cayla Hairston was born on August 20, 2004. She was 20 years old when Letitia James purchased 604 Sterling Street in Norfolk, Virginia and claimed it would be her primary residence.
Cayla Hairston has multiple arrests on her record, including a felony charge for violating Virginia’s law prohibiting firearm possession by convicted felons (Virginia Code §18.2-308.2) and felon in possession. This indicates that Cayla must have had a prior felony conviction, likely when she was under 18 because no records are available online.
Cayla was also charged with making a false statement on criminal history consent form when purchasing a firearm, and this is a serious offense. This form is required by Virginia law for individuals purchasing firearms from dealers. If a person willfully and intentionally makes a materially false statement on this form, they are guilty of a Class 5 felony, which can result in up to 10 years of imprisonment
Cayla was arrested again in June 2024 for grand larceny, a charge later reduced to petit larceny. She received a suspended jail sentence and was fined $539.
Even more concerning is Shamice’s 36 year old daughter, Nakia Monique Thompson, born in February 1989. Her crimes span 20 years in the states of Virginia and North Carolina, and include multiple prison sentences and convictions for: contributing to delinquency of a minor, abuse of child, possession of burglary tools, third degree larceny, grand larceny, assault and battery, petty larceny, trespassing, shoplifting, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana, driving with a suspended license, and conspiracy to commit larceny.
Nakia Thompson was even convicted of crimes while serving prison time, including malicious conduct by prisoner.
The “good aunt” story was meant to humanize Letitia James. It was an attempt to frame herself as generous and family-oriented, but it collapses under the weight of facts. Her carefully worded public statement, designed to elicit sympathy, strategically obscured key details – namely, that the so-called “children” she referenced are adult felons with extensive criminal histories. One was rearrested just months after the mortgage deal, the other has a 20-year rap sheet.
At best, James’s statement was misleading. At worst, it may be part of a broader pattern of deception involving public filings, bank documents, and government-backed mortgages.
And the questions keep coming: Why would a sitting state official claim to live in another state? Why describe adult convicts as “children”? And, if crimes continue to be committed from the Norfolk address, could James face legal liability?
Now under investigation and lawyering up with Abbie Lowell, one of the Democratic Party’s top defense attorneys, James faces the possibility of disbarment, financial penalties, and even criminal prosecution if charges are filed and she is convicted of mortgage fraud.
Joel Gilbert, is a Los Angeles-based film producer, and president of Highway 61 Entertainment. He is on Twitter: @JoelSGilbert.
The post Crime Runs in the Family! Letitia James Buys Home for Niece’s Jailbird Adult Kids appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.