After the Trump administration issued a criminal referral alleging possible mortgage fraud in an apparent attempt to establish cause for ousting a Federal Reserve Board governor, Lisa Cook has lawyered up and filed a lawsuit to defend herself and the "independence" of the U.S. central bank and monetary policy agency.

The complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Thursday states that Trump purported to fire Cook based on mere pretext, namely criminal mortgage fraud allegations Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte referred to the DOJ.

In that referral, Pulte alleged that Cook "falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable loan terms, potentially committing mortgage fraud," listing two houses as her primary residence,

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