Below is a long version of my column in the New York Post on the growing controversy in the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James. One of her former prosecutors has leveled a broadside against James for using her office to pursue her enemies and making the prosecution of actual crimes a secondary priority.
Here is the column:
“A personnel matter.” Those three words are how the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James described the suspension of Daniel Wiesenfeld, a former Brooklyn prosecutor who works in the Investor Protection Bureau. Wiesenfeld insists that this personnel matter is personal for James. Indeed, that is precisely the problem. He accused James of siphoning off staff to prosecute her political enemies, hindering actual law enforcement.
Wiesenfeld sent the since-deleted email (obtained by the Times-Union) to call on fellow lawyers not to assist James further in weaponizing her office. He recounted his own experience as a prosecutor in her office and how Bureau Chief Shamiso Maswoswe allegedly directed him to target “Trump himself, Truth Social, Hewlett Packard (DOJ approved merger)… without having a credible reason for targeting the organizations and individuals.”
He added that “If you believe Trump is using the [Department of Justice] attorneys to prosecute his enemies and further his political interests, you should find it equally troubling that Tish [James] is doing exactly the same thing.”
He wrote his colleagues with a simple plea: “I ask you that you not serve as Tish’s personal attorneys by targeting her political enemies. Instead, I hope you choose to prosecute crimes and find the individuals accountable, rather than targeting individuals and then finding crimes.”
Wiesenfeld must have known that his email could well be his swan song as a state lawyer. The assumption is that Wiesenfeld reached a point where working for James was no longer a better alternative to unemployment.
In his blistering email, Wiesenfeld reminded his colleagues that they have other things to do than hunt down the enemies of James. While James wastes “significant public taxpayer dollars to target convenient public enemies,” Wiesenfeld reminded them that there is “rampant nonprofit homeless shelter fraud and antisemitic crimes in and around synagogues.”
When James first ran for Attorney General, I condemned her for what I viewed as an unethical campaign based on a promise to prosecute Trump without bothering to name any particular crime. According to Wiesenfeld, once in office, she converted her staff into a “get Trump” operation. The best that they could come up with was an absurd civil case against Trump where the “victims” made money, lost nothing, and wanted more business from the Trump corporation.
After securing a judge with her same disregard for blind justice, Judge Arthur Engoron ordered an obscene fine that was later largely thrown out on appeal. James’s pledge to seize Trump buildings also never materialized.
However, New Yorkers loved her for it. In an age of rage, James has always offered the type of pure, uncut product that rage addicts need. Outside of New York, most Americans are tired of the weaponization of the law. The problem is that primaries are often driven by a party’s most extreme elements and there is no indication that the lawfare will end. (I have also been critical of the Trump Administration targeting political opponents). Democrats are pledging new investigations and charges if they are returned to power in Congress.
Like other rage dealers, James is unlikely to be deterred by this email or its content. She knows that many New Yorkers still prefer performative lawfare to actual enforcement of fraud and other laws. Some voters would willingly watch billions stolen in program fraud in exchange for just one more trophy Trump conviction.
In fairness to James, she has always been open about what she is and what she was offering. She promised weaponization and delivered it with relish. While ignoring liberal organizations accused of similar excesses, she spent millions pursuing the National Rifle Association until it also collapsed. She targeted pro-life organizations in violation of free speech protections.
When parents sought to oppose transgender policies, James threatened them with unconstitutional prosecutions over exercising their free speech. Nothing, of course, came of her threats, which served their purpose in rallying the perpetually enraged.
Losing such cases would ordinarily be an indictment of any politician, but James was not promising legal victories but political revenge. As Stalin’s secret police head Lavrentiy Beria once promised, the philosophy appeared to be “Show me the man and I’ll show you the crime.” In Trump’s case, James had to settle for a civil case that was later gutted on appeal. However, the saddest aspect of this controversy is not what it says about James but those who elected her.
Jonathan Turley is a law professor and the best-selling author of “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.”
Everything about the dems at the time was a disgrace, and she was one of the most egregious. There is no sane American left anymore, just power hungry, aristocratic scoundrels and demons and their brain dead followers.
“There is no sane American left anymore..” You’re an American right?
James is one of Estovir’s legacy puppets.
Turley’s characterization of Letitia James can be just as easily be applied to Jeanine Pirro. Turley once again applies a double standard. Pirro has a well publicized record of going after Trump’s political enemies with disastrous results. Yet we hear nary a peep from JT. Pirro and Blanche are doing the same thing JT complains about.
This story serves only to inflame and rage-bait MAGA nuts. It’s a good blog traffic builder.
Except that Pirro is not the NY AG and did not campaign on “getting” Trump.
That hurt eh George X.
oh come back george, stop moping, take it like a man. get back in the ring. duke it out. for the life of me i cant understand why george always shows up, gets ransacked every time and comes back for more. masochist?
X cannot defend james so he equivocates. Typical X, his mind’s slipping away.
It’s always “JT creating rage” because he has no rebuttal.
Ransacked? ROFL!! What exactly did you prove?
That’s irrelevant. It’s the conduct that matters. Both have the same conduct that Turley is critical of.
Yes, in a column about a whistleblowet revealing Leticia James’ malfeasance in office and urging his colleagues not to participate — at considerable risk to his career — HOW DARE Turkey not condemn Jeannine Pirro?
“Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” was a movie, not a mandate.
Sorry, Professor Turley. Autocorrect fail.
X has nothing to offer this blog, just like any lefty.
George X is a punching bag.
michaeldix2f64102fb2 is Estovir.
You should just repeat this theme of every one of your posts instead of all the other crap.
“This story serves only to inflame and rage-bait MAGA nuts. It’s a good blog traffic builder.”
is all you ever say. slipping X, slipping! U know!
so you’re good with then? i thought so.
Au contraire! I am a resident of NYS and admitted to practice law in NYS. I have been watching Ms. James shameful performance as the AG. Your comparison is not based in reality
Catherine is Estovir.
Not a chance!
Saaaay Whaaaat? You mean Tishy from the Block is giving some Street Justice to the No Guud Mutha’s that dun her wrong? Bah haha – she is no better than any other Thug or Gangsta she supposedly prosecuted. Git Rich or Die Tryin!!!
Now, this is what people call an idiot.
It takes one to know one.
You should know …
phantomboldly5cb0d04b6f is a new Estovir puppet.
Professor Turley, why always the parentheses reminding all of us that you’re still a democrat? For gosh sakes, look at what the democrat party has become! Why are you so not willing to become an independent? Just when do you think the democrat party will ever become the democrat party you grew up knowing??
I’m a registered Democrat. Stopped giving money. I have not voted Democrat in the last 2 cycles. I don’t vote in the primary. Its just a word. Try not to get riled up about it. What Turley says and does isn’t necessarily true. Keep in mind, he’s just writing an opinion column, he needs something to write about.
Thank you professor for pointing out the corruption and the Stalinesque sham trials in order to “Get Trump!” while she uses her office to get her political enemies.
What a dumb F. he lives in NY.
Upstate Farmer is one of Estovir’s original puppets.
What if Americans round-up 4,000 Muslims in NYC, stuff them into a tall building and reenact 9/11?
Make sure Mamdami is invited. But makes exceptions for James and Hochul.
Perhaps that could be the finale to the 9/11 ceremony this year – now that would be a crowd pleaser for sure.
So now you like my comment eh old woman?
when you are sane and logical, I respond appropriately
Whimsical Mama is Estovir.
Letitia James’ abuse of power against political enemies is best understood in the context of the Obama/Biden Russia Collusion hoax, the Nancy Pelosi double impeachment, and Peter Navarro in leg irons.
What is politics for if not to persecute rivals? Think Rome?
To better understand what a politician is, read President George Washington’s Farewell Address.
Washington? It’s 2026 not 1789. Different worlds. Not even Ronald Reagan quoted Washington.
Yes, when Eric Holder was found in contempt of Congress for ignoring a subpoena, how much prison time did he serve?
Michaeldix246102fb2 is Estovir.
Stephen B. Benisch, Esq is Estovir, giving himself 4 likes.
Hmmm, if Ms James’ conduct is so reprehensible, what about Turley’s Fox-mate, Ms Pirro? Blanche? Barbie Bondi before? They are all corrupt, partisan manipulators of the law for their own political ends. To just slag off James without going after Pirro and the others just shows that Turley himself has been corrupted by his political interests.
Corrupt you say? Okay, lets start with some facts. You first.
Yet you cannot name even one time when any of the people you mentioned did even a thousandth of the lawfare LIEtitia James did to Trump and his entire business empire. Whataboutism doesn’t work when the facts aren’t even remotely on your side.
So you support lawfare? got it, makes sense for you.
However Pirro doesn’t do lawfare, she goes after crooks.
Deal with it like a man. You’re not a baby anymore punky.
Our system need checks and balances on prosecutors. I’m thinking of harsh punishments for Brady violations and other misconduct aimed at defrauding defendants, juries, judges and the public. Also, The People, when they feel a prosecutor is giving favor in a non-prosecute decision, should have a People’s prosecutor (public service attorney) be authorized to step in and prosecute the case (on behalf of The People). The Epstein case would have been an example.
These checks and balances are necessary to stamp out lawfare from further destroying our system of justice.
Interfere in state elections? with checks and balances? In NY the AG is selected by the public. 43 other states too. And you want to check/block the voters judgement?
Don’t waste your breath on pbinca.
Mamdani: If you build it, I will loot it and confiscate it.
James: If you oppose me, I will use the awesome power of the AG’s office to bleed you dry and make your life hell.
I do not know why any self-respecting person would open so much as a lemonade stand in New York.
What do you care what NY does? You do not live, work or vote there.
Sam,
Well said.
And now NY state is trying to force the entire Amish population into getting vaccines. The case may even goto the SC.
This is what fascism looks like.
What does that have to do with James? Its state law. Do you get that?
Talk about stupid. It’s NY state law. Some 18 others mandate it too. You call that fascism?
What’s it like being b!itch slapped farmer?
Sam is Estovir giving himself 5 likes.
The people in NY get what they vote for. The election turnout numbers show that there is a huge breakdown in voting. I wonder if those opposed to socialism just don’t show up to the polls because they feel the elections are rigged?
Get what they voted for? Yup, exactly what they waned and that bothers you? Good.
J G Gordon is a new puppet from Estovir.
It brings joy to heart that a strong Black woman was able to hurt Trump. BLACK POWER FOREVER!
Some people are clinging tightly to racism, while most of us are way past that and want a post-racial justice system.
Racism is alive and well in the hearts and minds of Black Americans. Considering what you whites did to them. And you want to portray yourself above racism?
So how many Black “friends” do you have?
Zero of course.
I thought collective guilt went out with Adolf.
Naaa… just got transferred to American liberals via Roosevelt.
Mack is Estovir, plus the bogus ‘Anon’ below.
New York is a microcosm of the USA under DSA rule: promises of free stuff undelivered; lawfare to remove enemies; filth in the streets; ubiquitous graft. Hochul is merely their preferred model for President: weak, corrupt, relatively stupid. Biden, wearing a skirt, as it were.
Define relatively stupid? Only women are stupid? And here you are a decrepit old man with everlasting hate towards women. A nobody.
That woman is a govenor and that makes you angry?
You think Joe Biden is a woman? BC thats the only way your comment makes sense.
The final sentence is the best…
Henriettasducks is a new Estovir puppet getting 2 likes for ‘what’??
“Those who voted for her. . . ” will soon have the state for themselves. Those that saw the evil on the horizon, are voting with their feet. We here in Florida are benefitting, but it gives me no pleasure to see New York sink below the waves of sewage it generates.
Nobody is leaving NY. We want socialism. Socialism is good and loving. MAGA is hate.
“Socialism is good and loving.” Tell us about the Soviet Union and Cuba and North Korea and the CCP – and all the socialist paradises that were/are so good and loving.
Since you never lived in any of those countries, how can you know? They exist still and how long before the USA dissolves? Counting the days….
And then come the mass roundups. The concentration camps. The ovens.
Then bye bye MAGA …
She has egg on her face
Leftys see laws as a cudgel to use for their power mad plans to destroy humans.
Justice is not in their vocabulary.
Rightists spread hate. They hate Americans, the black, brown and yellow Americans. MAGA is a sickness. A hateful sickness.
Even white supremacists are brown these days. See Nick Fuentes and George Zimmerman
Leticia James is a vile — the anagram of which is “evil” — stain on the legal profession in New York. She gives new meaning to the term “disgusting.”
But Professor Turlley’s closing comment is a bullseye hit: “the saddest aspect of this controversy is not what it says about James but about those who elected her.” Those who voted for her — legal as well as illegal — have earned the label of “enablers” as well as “co-conspirators.” And the same can be said of dangerously comical “jurists” such as Arthur Engoron.
Well writ! .’Do not send to know who was elected. Send to know who voted. Therein lies the rub.
Destroy Trump, destroy MAGA, destroy the USA, power to the people.
Yeah? I don’t think so Mr CCP.
You’re the reason Trump is there.
MAGA is dead, Long live the proletariat.
Your side has tried to kill Trump at least three times. And failed. Your side has tried to bankrupt him. And failed. Your side unabashedly twisted and perverted the judicial system in every way to put him in prison. And failed. Your side had to resort to rigging the 2020 election to defeat him.
Your side is a failure. At everything. THAT is why you are angry.
And he will be destroyed after the midterms.
Nah. Trump will be President after the midterms. In fact, odds are Trump will be President until his term ends in 2029. Sure, if your side wins, or steals, control of the House in the midterm elections, we all expect Democrats will waste millions of dollars on another televised failed impeachment attempt. Because, well, failures are failures.
Heck your side – perhaps even you yourself – may attempt another assassination. But with a proven track record of failure, odds are your side will fail at that also.
Bottom line: Trump will NOT be destroyed after the midterms. That is a proven lie. Trump will, in fact, be President of the United States after the midterms. And if your side somehow wrangles control of the House or kills Trump, your side will continue to be failures.
True story.
Destroyed = lame duck.
She got Trump good
Yep, got him reelected. Good. lmfao
I can in fact say that my vote for Trump was specifically because of their lawfare so it backfired and got Trump elected.