NOTE: VIDEOS AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
Senator Adam Schiff is under renewed scrutiny following a criminal referral to the Department of Justice related to alleged mortgage fraud concerning a Maryland property he declared as his primary residence.
The controversy centers on a federally insured loan Schiff obtained in 2023. In his mortgage application, Schiff listed a Maryland home as his “primary residence,” qualifying him for a reduced interest rate. However, Schiff has held elected office exclusively in California since 2003—a position that requires primary residency in the state.
This apparent contradiction has raised questions about whether Schiff provided false information on a federal document, potentially violating mortgage laws.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division found sufficient evidence to forward the matter to the DOJ. A senior administration official confirmed to The New York Post that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the regulatory body overseeing Fannie Mae, submitted the criminal referral.
“It is extremely serious, and [Schiff] is not treating it that way,” the official said. They also noted that Schiff could face separate criminal counts for each mortgage payment made under potentially false residency claims.
A video clip resurfacing recently adds further weight to the referral. In it, Schiff states clearly:
“But our principal residence, our primary residence, is in California. It always has been, always will be.”
This statement was made after Schiff signed mortgage documents designating the Maryland property as his primary residence.
The timeline of these declarations may prove crucial in any investigation, as claiming different primary residences across states—especially to obtain financial benefits—can violate federal law.
Mortgage fraud, defined as knowingly misrepresenting a property’s use to secure lower interest rates or federal program eligibility, is a felony with severe penalties.
Schiff has publicly dismissed the referral as politically motivated, suggesting it is an attempt by the Trump administration to target opponents. He has not addressed the mortgage documents or the residency discrepancy directly.
During the Biden-Harris administration, initial reports on the mortgage issue saw no public action. However, under the current administration, the Federal Housing Finance Agency is working with the DOJ to review the case further.
Whether a full criminal investigation will be launched remains uncertain. Should it proceed, Schiff could face legal jeopardy depending on investigators’ findings regarding intent to mislead in his mortgage application.
A Democrat from California, Schiff has served in Congress since 2003 and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2024.
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