Reports circulating last week suggested a federal grand jury in Maryland was investigating key Justice Department officials, Ed Martin and Bill Pulte, regarding their involvement in a probe into alleged mortgage fraud. The narrative quickly took hold that these officials were themselves under scrutiny for how they pursued allegations against Congressman Adam Schiff.
However, those reports are inaccurate. According to former DOJ official Chad Mizelle and journalist John Solomon, the Justice Department is not investigating Martin or Pulte. The focus remains squarely on the allegations against Schiff, a long-serving California Congressman.
The core of the matter centers on accusations of occupancy fraud. Schiff is alleged to have falsified documents and property records over a 16-year period to secure more favorable mortgage terms. This information was initially brought to light in April 2023, and subsequently led to a criminal referral submitted to the DOJ by Housing Director Bill Pulte.
Schiff’s alleged scheme involved claiming a Maryland home as his primary residence while simultaneously maintaining his voting registration and political presence in California. He reportedly secured refinancing on the property in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013, repeatedly asserting it as his primary dwelling.
A House Ethics investigation in 2009 previously raised similar concerns, with Schiff claiming an error and later repaying taxes to Maryland. The current investigation appears to be a renewed and more comprehensive examination of these past allegations.
The confusion arose from a grand jury subpoena served to Christine Bish, a realtor who initially exposed Schiff’s alleged mortgage fraud. Bish anticipated being questioned about Schiff’s actions, but instead found herself asked about her communications with Martin and Pulte, leading to the mistaken belief they were the targets of the investigation.
Mizelle offered a crucial insight into the DOJ’s strategy. He explained that prosecutors are proactively anticipating Schiff’s likely defense – attacking the evidence and questioning its integrity – and are meticulously documenting all communications to preemptively address any claims of impropriety.
According to Mizelle, the DOJ isn’t turning inward; it’s preparing a significant case against Schiff. The focus on Martin and Pulte was a misdirection, a necessary step to ensure the evidence is airtight and any challenges to the prosecution are neutralized.
Sources confirm the grand jury subpoena issued to Bish was specifically related to gathering documentation pertaining to Schiff’s mortgages and tracing their origins. The investigation is not about the actions of DOJ officials, but about building a solid case against the Congressman.
The narrative, initially fueled by reports in several media outlets, has been corrected by those with direct knowledge of the proceedings. The Justice Department’s attention remains fixed on the allegations of mortgage fraud leveled against Adam Schiff.
