NORFOLK — New York Attorney General Letitia James on Friday pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Norfolk to charges accusing her of misleading a bank in an effort to get a lower interest rate for a house she bought here in 2020.

James smiled broadly as she walked into the courtroom with her team of attorneys shortly before the 11 a.m. hearing began. The only time she spoke was in response to the Judge Jamar K. Walker’s questions, and to enter her pleas. Afterwards, she walked outside and spoke to dozens of supporters, who chanted, “We stand with Tish.”

“This is not about me. This is about all of us,” James told the group. “And about a justice system which has been weaponized. A justice system which has been used as a tool of revenge.”

James was indicted Oct. 9 on one count of

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