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Reposted by Seth Warren

Popehat Agitates And Irritates @kenwhite.bsky.social · 15h

I’ve never seen anything remotely this petty charged as bank fraud.

Joshua J. Friedman @joshuajfriedman.com · 16h

NEW: Here's the two-count indictment against NY AG Letitia James. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

INDICTMENT
October 2025 Term - at Alexandria, Virginia
THE GRAND JURY CHARGES THAT:
GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
At all times relevant to this Indictment:
1. Letitia A. James ("JAMES) was a resident of Brooklyn, New York, and the borrower on a
Fannie Mae-backed mortgage loan for the property located at 3121 Peronne Avenue,
Norfolk, Virginia.
2. OVM Financial (also known as Old Virginia Mortgage / AnnieMac) was a mortgage lending business located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, engaged in the business of originating and underwriting residential mortgage loans, including those backed by the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae"). OVM Financial qualified as a "financial institution" within the meaning of 18 U.S.C. § 20(10).
3. Fannie Mae was a federally chartered corporation that purchased and guaranteed mortgages,
operating as a government-sponsored enterprise under the oversight of the Federal Housing

Finance Agency ("FHFA").
4. First Savings Bank was a state-chartered, FDIC-insured financial institution (Certificate
#29961), headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana, which acquired mortgage loans through assignment or acquisition. First Savings Bank qualified as a "financial institution" within the meaning of 18 U.S.C. § 20(1).
5. On or about August 17, 2020, JAMES, as sole borrower, purchased the three (3) bedroom,
(1) bathroom property located at 3121 Peronne Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23509 (the
"Peronne Property"), for approximately $137,000, financed with a mortgage loan of approximately $109,600 (Loan #4430025978) backed by Fannie Mae.
6. The loan was originated by OVM Financial under a signed Second Home Rider, which required JAMES, as the sole borrower to occupy and use the property as her secondary residence, and prohibited its use as a timesharing or other shared ownership arrangement or agreement that requires her either to rent the property or give any other person any control over the occupancy or use of the property.
7. Despite these representations, the Peronne Property was not occupied or used by JAMES as a secondary residence and was instead used as a rental investment property, renting the property to a family of (3).
8. This misrepresentation allowed JAMES to obtain favorable loan terms not available for investment properties, including a note rate of 3.000% (avoiding a 0.815% higher
comparable investment property rate of 3.815%, resulting in approximately $17,837 in rate savings over the life of the loan), a seller credit of approximately $3,288 (exceeding the seller credit for investment properties by approximately $1,096), for total ill-gotten gains of approximately $18,933 over the life of the loan.
9. JAMES' Universal Property application for homeowners' insurance indicated "owner-

occupied non-seasonal use," further misrepresenting the intended use of the property.
10. JAMES filed Schedule E tax forms), under penalties of perjury, treating the Perrone Property as rental real estate, reporting fair rental days, zero personal use days, thousand(s)
of dollars in rents received, and claiming deductions for expenses relating to the property, further contradicting the second home classification.
11. The loan was acquired by or assigned to First Savings Bank by March 2021, exposing it to risks associated with the misrepresented loan.
12. The acts described herein occurred within the Eastern District of Virginia.
COUNT ONE
(Bank Fraud - 18 U.S.C. § 1344)
13. The allegations in paragraphs 1 through 12 are re-alleged and incorporated herein.
14. From on or about August 7, 2020, through at least January 2024, in the Eastern District of Virginia and elsewhere, the Defendant, LETITIA A. JAMES, did knowingly execute and attempt to execute a scheme and artifice to defraud OVM Financial and First Savings Bank,
financial institutions, and to obtain moneys, funds, and credits owned by and under the custody and control of OVM Financial and First Savings Bank by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises.
15. The scheme involved falsely representing the Peronne Property as a secondary residence to obtain favorable mortgage terms, while using it as an investment property with no intended
or actual personal occupancy or use by her.
(In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1344).
COUNT TWO
(False Statements to a Financial Institution - 18 U.S.C. § 1014)
16. The allegations in paragraphs 1 through 12 are re-alleged and incorporated herein.

17. From on or about July 28, 2020, through at least August 31, 2020, in the Eastern District of Virginia and elsewhere, the Defendant, LETITIA A. JAMES, did knowingly make and cause to be made false statements and reports for the purpose of influencing the action of OVM Financial, a Fannie Mae-backed lender, upon an application for a loan, in that JAMES represented and affirmed in uniform residential loan applications and related documents that
the Peronne Property would be used as a secondary residence, when in truth and fact, as JAMES then knew, the property was intended and used as an investment property with no intended or actual personal occupancy or use by her.
(In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1014).
FORFEITURE NOTICE
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32.2(a) and Title 18, U.S.C. §
982(a)(2)(A), upon conviction of the offenses in Counts One and Two, the Defendant, Letitia
A. James, shall forfeit to the United States any property constituting, or derived from, proceeds obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of such violations, including but not limited to a money judgment in the amount of $18,933.
If any of the property described above, as a result of any act or omission of the Defendant: (a) cannot be located upon the exercise of due diligence; (b) has been transferred or sold to, or deposited with, a third party; (c) has been placed beyond the jurisdiction of the court; (d) has been substantially diminished in value; or (e) has been commingled with other property which cannot be divided without difficulty, the United States shall be entitled to a forfeiture of substitute property pursuant to Title 21, U.S.C. § 853(b), as incorporated by Title
18 U.S.C. § 982(b)(1).
(In accordance with Title 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(C) and 982(a)(1); Title 28, U.S.C. § 2461(c); and Title 21 U.S.C. § 853(p).)

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Reposted by Seth Warren

Pete Buttigieg @petebuttigieg.bsky.social · 4d

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 4d

The home of South Carolina Circuit Court judge Diane Goodstein was set on fire after she had reportedly received death threats. time.com/7323442/sout...

House of South Carolina Judge Criticized by Trump Administration Set Ablaze

Authorities are investigating a fire at the home of a South Carolina judge who had reportedly received death threats in what could be the latest incident of political violence across the country.

time.com

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 4d

Forty years ago Prince, Madonna and Judas Priest were among stars dubbed the ‘Filthy Fifteen’ in a high-profile parents’ campaign against ‘objectionable’ music. Some of those artists, and supporters like Alice Cooper, recall a major moral panic www.theguardian.com/music/2025/o...

‘I was called an enemy of the people’: how the US Senate went to war with the biggest rock stars of the 1980s

Forty years ago Prince, Madonna and Judas Priest were among stars dubbed the ‘Filthy Fifteen’ in a high-profile parents’ campaign against ‘objectionable’ music. Some of those artists, and supporters l...

www.theguardian.com

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 4d

Recruitment ads for the frozen gestapo are running on YouTube and they can't be skipped.
🖕🏼🧊

Reposted by Seth Warren

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 5d

Way past its prime: how did Amazon get so rubbish?

Sick of scrolling through junk results, AI-generated ads and links to lookalike products? The author and activist behind the term ‘enshittification’ explains what’s gone wrong with the internet – and what we can do about it

www.theguardian.com

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 7d

We've got Doublespeak.

Peter Sagal @petersagal.bsky.social · 7d

The White House is “ridding society of shameful, dangerous racial hierarchies.”

www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...

Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education Admissions

Memorandum for THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SUBJECT: Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education Admissions By the authority vested in me as President

www.whitehouse.gov

Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 7d

Some employees at the Department of Education changed their responses back to the more neutral language, only to have it changed yet again to the partisan response, multiple sources tell WIRED. www.wired.com/story/govern...

Government Workers Say Their Out-of-Office Replies Were Forcibly Changed to Blame Democrats for Shutdown

Some employees at the Department of Education changed their responses back to the more neutral language, only to have it changed yet again to the partisan response, multiple sources tell WIRED.

www.wired.com

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 8d

Goodall's field research changed the understanding of humans' closest relative. abcnews.go.com/Internationa... via ABC News App

Jane Goodall, famed primatologist, anthropologist and conservationist, dead at 91

Jane Goodall, the most prolific primatologist of a generation, has died. She was 91 years old.

abcnews.go.com

Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 9d

Scapegoating and propaganda are tools of fascists.

NPR @npr.org · 9d

Federal employees across the government reported seeing similar messages. Experts say the messages may violate ethics laws meant to keep partisan politics out of day-to-day governing.

Trump administration uses taxpayer dollars to blame Democrats for government shutdown

Federal employees across the government reported seeing similar messages. Experts say the messages may violate ethics laws meant to keep partisan politics out of day-to-day governing.

n.pr

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 9d

It's that month again...
youtu.be/YMATExZb_VM?...

October

YouTube video by Illusion of Joy - Topic

youtu.be

Reposted by Seth Warren

Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal.bsky.social · 9d

The president is lying

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 9d

Trump: "When you shut it down, you have to do layoffs. So, we'd be laying off a lot of people that are going to be very affected, and they're gonna be Democrats."

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 9d

🔮 I see an empty table...for a very long time...and a confused Democratic leader...unable to face the reality of the situation...

Ken Klippenstein @kenklippenstein.bsky.social · 9d

Hakeem Jeffries says "we're urging reasonable Republicans to come to the table."

Reposted by Seth Warren

Malachite Riot @malachiteriot.bsky.social · 10d

Hey @bsky.app & @support.bsky.team

fuck this bullshit

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 10d

Add another one to the ever-growing list of corporate suck-ups and capitulaters. Also, if that stupid ballroom does get built, I'm voting for the first candidate who promises to demolish it.

NPR @npr.org · 10d

Just in from @bobbyallyn.bsky.social
YouTube is the latest social media company to pay Trump tens of millions of dollars to resolve lawsuits brought before he returned to power. The money will fund a new ballroom at the White House.

YouTube agrees to pay Trump $24 million to settle lawsuit over Jan. 6 suspension

YouTube is the latest social media company to pay Trump tens of millions of dollars to resolve lawsuits brought before he returned to power. The money will fund a new ballroom at the White House.

n.pr

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 11d

Team red is trying to pass censorship (aka: age verification) bills in Pennsylvania. Call to oppose the nanny state.
HB1513 - www.palegis.us/legislation/...
SB603 - www.palegis.us/legislation/...

www.palegis.us

Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 13d

Justices rule in favour of administration, handing Trump another victory in dispute over presidential power www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025... | Apparently interpreting the Constitution extends to completely ignoring what is written in it.

US supreme court allows Trump to withhold nearly $5bn in foreign aid

Justices rule in favour of administration, handing Trump another victory in dispute over presidential power

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Seth Warren

Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 13d

No Democrat should vote to keep the government open unless ACA funding is restored for the millions of Americans at risk of losing health coverage next year.

Remember that this funding is on the chopping block because Trump and Republicans want to give the richest Americans a giant tax cut.

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 14d

If you got a misleading mailer urging you not to vote to retain the three Democratic Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices, these are the bastards spreading lies. Team red is trying to pack the court. Remember to VOTE YES to protect bodily autonomy and fair districts in PA thecommonwealthpartners.com

Commonwealth Partners

Community and Business Leaders Improving the Economic Environment in Pennsylvania

thecommonwealthpartners.com

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 15d

Sarkozy has been sentenced to five years in jail after being found guilty of criminal conspiracy in a case related to millions of euros of illicit funds from the late Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi. www.bbc.com/news/article... | I like it when corrupt politicians get punished for their crimes.

Nicolas Sarkozy sentenced to five years in Libya campaign financing case

The former French president was found guilty of criminal conspiracy but cleared of other charges.

www.bbc.com

Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 15d

Nobody is safe from Gwar. www.stereogum.com/2324072/gwar... | Bet these same right-wingers love Ted Nugent's antics.

Gwar Respond To Right-Wing Outrage Over Riot Fest Performance

Nobody is safe from Gwar. For decades, the costumed thrash metal collective has imbued their live shows with comically over-the-top acts of mock violence against right-wing political figures like Rona...

www.stereogum.com

Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 15d

The exact motivation of the attack was not immediately known.
apnews.com/article/ice-...

2 detainees killed and another critically injured in Dallas ICE facility, Homeland Security says

Homeland Security says that two detainees were killed and another was critically injured after a shooting at a Dallas immigration facility.

apnews.com

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 18d

So...
Let me just take a look into this. 🔮
I see...Bluesky making the same mistakes Tumblr did and suffering the same consequences.
🧵

Kasey Gifford @kaseygifford.bsky.social · 18d

Bluesky is a wonderful place that has flourished in large part because of its artists and intolerance towards facists/Nazis. The Updated policy currently going into effect Oct 15 could fuck that up and we should be very vocal about it. Here are some specific things to mention in feedback (THREAD)

a man giving a thumbs up to a dog with the words do not blow this for us below him

ALT: a man giving a thumbs up to a dog with the words do not blow this for us below him

media.tenor.com

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Seth Warren @illusionofjoy.bsky.social · 18d

Trump will not be satisfied until every media outlet becomes more conservative—and obedient to him. slate.com/technology/2...

It’s Clear Why Disney Really Suspended Jimmy Kimmel—and It’s a Five-Alarm Fire

Donald Trump will not be satisfied until every media outlet becomes more conservative—and obedient to him.

slate.com

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Reposted by Seth Warren

Sen. Adam Schiff @schiff.senate.gov · 19d

There’s no hiding the political retaliation and weaponization.

It’s all out in the open.

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