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 themselves were the focus of scrutiny.
However, those reports are inaccurate. According to former DOJ official Chad Mizelle and journalist John Solomon, the Justice Department is *not* investigating Martin and Pulte. The focus remains squarely on Congressman Adam Schiff.
At the heart of the matter lies a criminal referral submitted by Housing Director Bill Pulte, alleging Schiff committed occupancy fraud over a 16-year period. This accusation centers on falsified bank documents and property records, allegedly used to secure more favorable mortgage terms.
The initial reporting on Schiff’s potential mortgage fraud surfaced in April 2023. The allegations claim that Schiff, while representing California in Congress since 2000, falsely claimed a Maryland property as his primary residence to gain financial advantages.
Specifically, Schiff reportedly stated he would occupy the Maryland home for a full year, yet continued to cast votes in California during that time. He repeatedly refinanced the property, continuing to assert it as his primary residence in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013.
A House Ethics investigation in 2009 raised similar concerns, which Schiff dismissed as an error, later repaying taxes to Maryland. This history adds weight to the current scrutiny of his financial dealings.
The confusion arose when Christine Bish, the realtor who initially brought the allegations against Schiff to light, received a grand jury subpoena. Bish anticipated being questioned about Schiff’s alleged fraud, but instead found herself asked about her communications with Martin and Pulte.
This led to the mistaken belief that Martin and Pulte were the targets of the investigation. However, Mizelle clarifies the DOJ’s strategy: they are proactively identifying all individuals who may have communicated with those potentially involved, anticipating Schiff’s defense tactics.
Mizelle believes Schiff will attempt to discredit any evidence presented against him, questioning its validity and chain of custody. The DOJ is preparing for these challenges by meticulously documenting all interactions.
According to sources with direct knowledge, the recent grand jury subpoena served to Bish was solely focused on obtaining documents related to Schiff’s mortgages and tracing their origins. It was a step in building a solid case against the Congressman.
The Justice Department, it appears, is preparing a significant case against Adam Schiff, and the focus on Martin and Pulte was a misdirection fueled by incomplete information. The investigation is moving forward, aiming to address the allegations of long-term mortgage fraud.
Despite being dismissed from the DOJ earlier this year, Chad Mizelle remains confident in his assessment of the situation. Christine Bish continues to stand by the information she provided, reinforcing the initial claims of financial impropriety.
