Department of Justice Special Attorney Ed Martin was seen outside New York Attorney General Letitia James’s Brooklyn brownstone on 15 August, examining the property at the center of a federal mortgage-fraud investigation. Martin was appointed earlier this month by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to oversee high-profile fraud probes involving several Democratic officials. Investigators allege that James repeatedly described the Clinton Hill building—officially registered as a five-unit dwelling—as a four-unit residence on mortgage applications, building permits and filings for federal assistance. The smaller unit count would have enabled her to qualify for more favorable, government-backed loans from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A criminal referral outlining the claims was sent to the Justice Department in April by Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte. A federal grand jury sitting in Norfolk, Virginia is now weighing whether to indict James on the fraud allegations, according to people familiar with the matter. A separate grand jury in Maryland is reviewing similar claims against California Senator Adam Schiff. Both officials deny any wrongdoing. Speaking on Fox News on 17 August, Martin said his team’s investigations are “going like crazy,” adding that they are also scrutinizing actions by members of the House committee that examined the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot. He gave no timetable for possible charges but said the inquiry would proceed “wherever the facts lead.”