Areas of focus since taking office include:
- Combatting Upstate Financial Frauds Schemes Initiative is an effort to assist local law enforcement and DA Offices investigate and prosecute complex financial crimes and money laundering cases.
- The Mortgage Enforcement Unit that serves to protect New Yorkers who suffered hardship during COVID-19. The MEU oversees the distribution of New York State’s Homeowner Assistance Fund.
- The Animal Protection Initiative which protects consumers from unscrupulous pet sellers, and encourages consumers to report animal cruelty to their local law enforcement agencies and/or their local SPCA.
Professional background: Letitia James was elected as attorney general in 2018 and was reelected in 2022. Prior to her election, she served as the Public Advocate for New York City and as New York City Council Member for the 35th District, where she worked to improve living conditions in the city. She began her legal career as a public defender at the Legal Aid Society and went on to head the Brooklyn Regional Office of the New York State AG’s Office. She is the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected AG. She is running for reelection in 2022.
Education: AG James received her B.A. from Lehman College and her J.D. from Howard University School of Law.
Personal: A proud Brooklynite, AG James lives in the Clinton Hill neighborhood and is a member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church.