Senator Adam Schiff is facing new scrutiny after federal officials referred him to the Department of Justice for a potential criminal investigation into alleged mortgage fraud involving a Maryland property he claimed as his primary residence.
The criminal referral stems from a federally insured loan Schiff obtained in 2023. In the mortgage application, Schiff reportedly identified a Maryland home as his “primary residence,” which qualified him for a reduced interest rate.
However, Schiff has served in elected office in California from 2003 to 2025 — a role that requires primary residency within the state.
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The discrepancy between his loan filing and his eligibility to serve in California has prompted questions over whether Schiff made false statements on a federal document.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division had determined there was sufficient evidence to warrant a referral to the Department of Justice.
A senior administration official later confirmed to The New York Post that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees Fannie Mae, submitted the criminal referral.
“It is extremely serious and [Schiff] is not taking it seriously,” the official said.
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The same official added that Schiff could face a separate criminal count for each monthly mortgage payment made under what may have been a false claim of residency.
A resurfaced video clip has now added further weight to the referral.
In the video, Schiff clearly states, “But our principal residence, our primary residence, is in California. It always has been, always will be.”
.@LarryOConnor found footage in 2024 of Senator Adam Schiff claiming that his “primary residence is in California.”
“Always has been, always will be.”
Schiff is a liar. pic.twitter.com/mQ8QqmgBRK
— Kevin McMahon (@Kevin__McMahon) July 17, 2025
The statement was made after the date Schiff signed the mortgage loan designating the Maryland property as his primary residence.
The timeline could become central to any investigation, as claiming two different primary residences across different states — especially when such declarations are made for legal or financial benefit — may be considered a violation of federal law.
Under mortgage regulations, falsely claiming a primary residence can constitute mortgage fraud, a felony offense that carries serious legal penalties.
Such cases typically involve a person misrepresenting the nature of their property use to obtain a lower mortgage rate or to meet eligibility standards for federal loan programs.
In response to the referral, Schiff has publicly criticized the move, claiming it is politically motivated.
He has suggested that the referral is an attempt by the Trump administration to target political opponents.
Donald Trump is calling for me to be criminally prosecuted.
It’s nothing new – but his attacks on the rule of law are more dangerous than ever. pic.twitter.com/UkAkr2Lsql
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) July 15, 2025
Schiff has not publicly addressed the substance of the mortgage documents or his past statements about his residence.
During the Biden-Harris administration, no public action was taken on the original reporting of the mortgage discrepancy.
However, the matter appears to have regained traction under the current administration.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates mortgage giants such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, is now reportedly coordinating with the Justice Department to review the matter further.
It remains to be seen whether a full criminal investigation will be opened.
If the Justice Department proceeds, Schiff could face legal jeopardy tied directly to the residency declarations made on official loan documents.
Any formal charges would hinge on whether investigators determine there was intent to mislead in Schiff’s application for the Maryland mortgage.
Schiff, a Democrat from California, has represented the state in Congress for over two decades.
He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2024.
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