You’re probably looking for a name. It’s Letitia "Tish" James. She has been the Attorney General of New York State since 2019, and honestly, her tenure has been anything but quiet. If you live in New York, or even if you just follow the national news, you’ve likely seen her face on a podium or heard her name in a courtroom report. She isn’t just another lawyer in a suit; she’s the 67th person to hold this specific office, and she’s broken a lot of glass ceilings along the way.
But there is a lot of noise right now. Between massive civil lawsuits involving former presidents and a shocking federal indictment in late 2025, the story of who is the Attorney General of New York State has become a lot more complicated than a simple Wikipedia entry.
The Person Behind the Title
Letitia James is a Brooklynite through and through. Born in 1958, she grew up in Park Slope back when it was a very different neighborhood than the high-priced brownstone row it is today. She went to Lehman College in the Bronx and then headed down to D.C. for her law degree at Howard University.
She didn't start at some high-rise corporate firm. No, she started as a public defender at the Legal Aid Society. That kind of "in the trenches" work usually shapes a politician's entire worldview. Before she was the state's top lawyer, she was the New York City Public Advocate, a role that basically functions as a watchdog for the people.
When she won the election in 2018, it was a massive deal. She became the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York. She was also the first woman ever elected to be the New York Attorney General.
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What Does the Attorney General Actually Do?
People often confuse the Attorney General (AG) with the District Attorney (DA). It’s an easy mistake. Basically, while a DA handles local crimes in a specific borough or county—like a robbery in Queens—the AG is the "People's Lawyer" for the entire state.
The AG has a massive amount of power. They oversee a staff of over 1,700 people, including 650 assistant attorneys general. Their job is to defend the state in court, but more importantly for the average person, they go after "bad actors" that affect everyone. This includes:
- Predatory landlords who let buildings fall apart.
- Big Pharma companies that fueled the opioid crisis.
- Scammers targeting immigrants or the elderly.
- Polluters dumping gunk into the Hudson River.
The Cases Everyone Talks About
If you’ve heard of Letitia James, it’s probably because of Donald Trump. During her 2018 campaign, she wasn't shy about her intentions. She vowed to look into his business dealings. In 2022, she filed a massive civil fraud lawsuit against the Trump Organization.
By early 2024, a judge ruled in her favor, initially slapping Trump with a $355 million fine and a three-year ban on doing business in New York. However, the legal system is a slow-moving beast. In August 2025, an appeals court upheld the liability—meaning they agreed fraud happened—but they voided the massive penalty, calling it "excessive." James has been fighting to get that penalty reinstated ever since.
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She also played a huge role in the downfall of former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Her office’s 2021 report on sexual harassment allegations against him was the final nail in the coffin for his administration.
The 2025 Bombshell
Here is where things get messy and where many headlines get confusing. In October 2025, Letitia James was federally indicted. The charges? One count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution.
It sent shockwaves through Albany. James has pleaded not guilty, and she hasn't stepped down. She’s currently fighting these charges while still performing her duties as the Attorney General of New York State. It’s a bizarre, high-stakes situation that has left many New Yorkers wondering what happens next. Her current term is supposed to run until January 2027, with the next election slated for 2026.
Why This Matters to You
The AG’s office isn’t just about the big political headlines. It’s also the place you turn to if your landlord is stealing your security deposit or if a company sold you a "lemon" car.
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Under James, the office has clawed back billions of dollars. We’re talking over $2.5 billion from opioid manufacturers alone. That money goes into treatment and prevention programs. They’ve also taken thousands of illegal guns off the streets through buyback programs.
So, while the political drama is what makes the evening news, the day-to-day work of the office is what actually impacts your wallet and your safety.
Actionable Steps for New Yorkers
If you need the help of the Attorney General’s office, don't just wait for a news report. You can actually use their resources:
- File a Consumer Complaint: If you’ve been scammed by a business, go to the official ag.ny.gov website and fill out a form. They actually investigate these.
- Tenant Rights: If your landlord is harassing you or refusing to fix lead paint, the AG’s Housing Protection Unit is the place to call.
- Report Fraud: Whether it’s Medicaid fraud or a charity that seems "off," you can submit tips directly to their specialized bureaus.
- Stay Updated on the 2026 Election: Since her term ends in early 2027, the 2026 election cycle will determine who takes over this massive mantle. Keep an eye on the primary candidates.
The office of the Attorney General of New York State is one of the most powerful legal positions in the United States. Whether you agree with Letitia James’ methods or not, her impact on the state's legal landscape is undeniable. As her legal battles—both for the state and for herself—continue into 2026, the eyes of the country will stay fixed on New York.