New York State Attorney General Letitia James, already under fire for alleged financial misdeeds, is now caught in a family drama that’s raising eyebrows across state lines.
The New York Post reported that James, who’s been indicted on charges of bank fraud and false statements related to a mortgage for her home, while simultaneously housing her grandniece, a fugitive wanted in North Carolina, rent-free since 2020.
James found herself in hot water when a Virginia federal grand jury slapped her with serious charges tied to securing a mortgage for her $235,000 three-bedroom property in Norfolk.
James has pushed back hard, calling the accusations a political witch hunt designed to tarnish her reputation. But while she fights that battle, another controversy brews right under her own roof—literally.
Enter Nakia Thompson, James’ grandniece, who’s been living in that very Norfolk home since 2020, along with her three children. Property documents, including a Deed of Trust from mid-2020, confirm the timeline of her residency.
Here’s the kicker: Thompson isn’t just a family member down on her luck—she’s officially listed as an “absconder” by North Carolina authorities for skipping out on probation tied to misdemeanor convictions from 2011 for assault and trespassing.
Thompson’s rap sheet isn’t exactly a blank slate; she’s got prior convictions from 2005 and 2006 for assault-related charges, including one against a government entity. North Carolina isn’t playing around, either—if she’s caught there, arrest awaits, though her offenses are deemed low-level and non-extraditable.
“An absconder is considered a fugitive. Thompson faces arrest if she is located in North Carolina,” said Keith Acree from the North Carolina Department of Corrections.
Well, that’s a bold statement, but it begs the question: why hasn’t this situation been addressed sooner if she’s been in Virginia for five years?
According to grand jury testimony reported by The New York Times, Thompson hasn’t paid a dime for rent or upkeep while living in James’ property. For a public official already under scrutiny, this arrangement looks like a glaring blind spot at best, and a deliberate oversight at worst.
Now, let’s be fair—family is family, and helping a relative in need isn’t a crime. But when that relative is wanted by the law, and you’re a top law enforcement official, the optics are messier than a spilled coffee pot at a campaign rally.
James, for her part, isn’t backing down from the broader fight over her indictment. “I stand on solid rock and I will not bow, I will not break, I will not bend,” she declared at a rally for leftist New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Admirable grit, perhaps, but it sidesteps the sticky issue of housing someone dodging probation.
North Carolina’s Department of Corrections notes that absconders like Thompson could face extended probation, revocation, or even jail time if caught. That’s a serious consequence hanging over her head while she resides in a home tied to a public figure sworn to uphold the law.
Critics might argue this is a private matter, but when you’re the Attorney General, the line between personal and public gets blurrier than a foggy morning.
Shouldn’t someone in James’ position be extra cautious about who’s under their roof—especially a relative with a legal cloud?
At the end of the day, this saga isn’t just about one family’s choices; it’s about accountability for those at the top. James’ legal battles and her grandniece’s fugitive status weave a narrative that conservative voices will likely seize on as evidence of progressive leaders dodging the standards they preach.
While the charges against James and the status of Thompson remain unresolved, one thing is clear: this story is far from over, and the court of public opinion is already in session. Let’s hope clarity—and justice—prevail, no matter where the chips fall.