Instead of Hurricanes, Letitia James Wants You to Donate to Her Legal Defense Fund

New York Attorney General Letitia James, recently indicted on federal charges, is making headlines again. While warning New Yorkers to “beware of sham charities” in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the Attorney General is simultaneously urging supporters to donate to her own legal defense fund as she faces mounting criminal and political fallout.

Last week, James issued a public statement cautioning residents to vet hurricane relief efforts for potential scams.

“As New Yorkers seek to support relief efforts, I urge them to be careful of sham charities that prey on generosity and make sure they are giving to trustworthy organizations and groups,” James said in a press release. “I encourage anyone who experiences any issues when donating to contact my office.”

The Attorney General’s office followed the statement with detailed donation guidelines, advising residents to confirm the legitimacy of email solicitations, be cautious of social media fundraisers, and donate only to registered organizations.

James’s office emphasized:

-Verify who’s behind any email or online solicitation.

-Avoid text-to-donate scams unless verified by the charity’s website.

-Don’t give cash or personal financial information to unverified entities.

-Report suspicious fundraisers to the Charities Bureau at (212) 416-8401.

But as James positioned herself as the watchdog over public giving, her own campaign and political allies were busy raising money for her personal legal defense. The move that has drawn sharp criticism and comparisons to the very practices she warns others about.

On October 9th, 2025, James was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia on bank fraud and false statement charges linked to her 2020 mortgage application for a property in Norfolk, Virginia. The indictment alleges that James misrepresented her financial position to obtain the home loan, making national headlines and immediate political backlash.

She has pleaded not guilty, calling the charges “baseless and politically motivated.”

In response, the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) launched a legal defense fund to cover her legal costs, which experts say could reach into the millions. The fund was set up within days of her indictment.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) joined the effort, sending an email appeal to supporters through ActBlue, urging donations to James’s legal defense.

“If you can, will you rush a donation to Letitia James right now? Your donation will send a powerful message that you’re standing in solidarity with Letitia,” AOC’s message read.

The email linked to a page labeled “Letitia James Legal Fund,” though questions remain about how the funds are allocated and whether contributions are being properly separated from political campaign accounts.

The New York Post and MEAWWE News both reported that despite claims of transparency, at least some of the contributions were comingled with political fundraising systems.

Critics have been quick to note the irony. While James publicly warns New Yorkers about “scam charities” exploiting disasters like Hurricane Melissa, she and her allies are appealing for public money to fund her personal legal fight.

“Letitia James is warning people not to give to fake causes while simultaneously asking for donations to pay her lawyers,” one official noted off the record. “It’s hard to take her warnings about charity fraud seriously when she’s under federal indictment and soliciting funds for herself.”

James continues to serve as Attorney General while awaiting trial.

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Instead of Hurricanes, Letitia James Wants You to Donate to Her Legal Defense Fund