The Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a mortgage fraud investigation into fired Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, the Daily Caller News Foundation confirmed on Thursday.
Special Attorney Ed Martin, who is responsible for addressing mortgage fraud by public officials, is working on the investigation with U.S. attorneys in Georgia and Michigan, a source familiar confirmed.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the investigation.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte initially referred Cook in August to the DOJ, alleging she “falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable loan terms,” naming properties in both Michigan and Georgia as her primary residence.
President Donald Trump removed Cook from her position on Aug. 25 in response, prompting Cook to sue for her job.
Abbe Lowell, who is representing Cook, suggested in a statement to Reuters that Trump wants “cover” for firing her.
“The questions over how Governor Cook described her properties from time to time, which we have started to address in the pending case and will continue to do so, are not fraud, but it takes nothing for this DOJ to undertake a new politicized investigation, and they appear to have just done it again,” Lowell said.
Cook has denied that she committed fraud.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Lowell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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