Letitia James Defers Release of Tax Returns, Citing Staff Oversight

ALBANY – New York Attorney General Letitia James, currently under scrutiny, remained tight-lipped on Friday when asked by The Post about her reluctance to release her tax returns. This comes in stark contrast to other prominent Democrats in the state who have already made their financial disclosures available earlier in the week.

Both New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul have opened their income tax returns to media scrutiny. In contrast, James has opted to withhold hers, a decision that coincides with allegations she is facing about potentially falsifying information on mortgage applications.

James offered an unusual explanation for her decision, stating that the responsibility to release her tax returns lies with her team. She repeatedly told The Post, “They will make that determination,” as she mingled with fellow Democratic leaders at the Somos conference in Albany on Friday night.

When pressed further, James suggested, “You know the practice. You speak to the comms director,” before she turned her attention to greet other attendees at the event.

Despite multiple inquiries from The Post throughout the week, James’ office has not provided any additional information regarding her tax filings.

The Post reached out to James’ office about the filings several times this week.

Several minutes after the exchange, a spokesperson confirmed to The Post that James’ staff had in fact decided not to release her tax returns.

“We are not releasing the Attorney General’s tax returns. All are welcome to review her annual financial disclosure when that is released,” James’ Communications Director, Alexis Richards, wrote in a statement.

The latest legally required state financial disclosure statements for public officials are due out next month, but those filings include far less detailed information.

Mamdani’s filings reviewed by The Post and other outlets this week revealed his rise to prominence has also led to a modest boost in royalties from his abandoned rap career.

Hochul’s, meanwhile, affirmed that she and her husband Bill pay New York City income taxes and would theoretically be impacted by Mamdani’s calls to tax millionaires, having reported $1.9 million of income on their 2025 federal return.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli also made his returns available for review this week.

James had been accused of mortgage fraud in a bombshell case that was ultimately dismissed by a federal judge last year.