# Legal and misconduct allegations involving New York AG > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/legal-and-misconduct-allegations-involving-new-york-ag > Updated: 2026-08-31T00:32:42.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. New York Attorney General Letitia James has faced legal and internal scrutiny regarding her office’s actions involving the Trump administration and political figures. In early August, James joined 23 other state attorneys general and several governors in a federal lawsuit to block a new federal rule. The lawsuit aims to prevent the sharing of personal information belonging to low-income families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). James argued the administration is “weaponizing TANF” by turning an antipoverty program into a mechanism for targeting vulnerable families through the disclosure of addresses, immigration records, and Social Security numbers. By late August, allegations of political misconduct emerged from within the Attorney General’s office. Daniel Wiesenfeld, an Assistant Attorney General in the Investor Protection Bureau, sent an email to approximately 2,000 staff members alleging he was directed by Bureau Chief Shamiso Maswoswe to “find and pursue crimes” against Donald Trump, Truth Social, and Hewlett Packard without credible cause. Wiesenfeld claimed the office was prioritizing “political theater” and targeting “convenient public enemies” instead of addressing actual criminal activity, such as nonprofit fraud or antisemitic crimes. Following the distribution of the email, which was reportedly deleted from state servers shortly after, Wiesenfeld was placed on paid leave. The office of Attorney General Letitia James has characterized the situation as a “personnel matter.” ## Claims - Assistant Attorney General Daniel Wiesenfeld claims he was directed to target Donald Trump and his affiliates. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The directives allegedly came from Shamiso Maswoswe, Chief of the Investor Protection Bureau. (corroborated by 6 sources) - An office-wide email sent by Wiesenfeld to approximately 2,000 employees was reportedly deleted from state servers shortly after distribution. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Wiesenfeld was placed on paid leave following his allegations. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Wiesenfeld urged the office to prioritize investigations into homeless shelter fraud and antisemitic crimes. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The office of Attorney General Letitia James has characterized the situation as a personnel matter. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: New York prosecutor alleges political targeting in Letitia James' office A New York prosecutor, Daniel Wiesenfeld, alleges that Attorney General Letitia James’ office was ordered to target Donald Trump and his allies for political reasons without credible evidence. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-prosecutor-alleges-political-targeting-by-ag-letitia-james ### 2026-08-05: New York Attorney General Letitia James Sues Trump Administration Over Welfare Data Sharing New York AG Letitia James sued the Trump administration to block a new rule that would share personal data of TANF welfare recipients, claiming it violates privacy laws and weaponizes aid. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-attorney-general-letitia-james-sues-trump-administration-over-welfare-data-sharing --- Cite as: Legal and misconduct allegations involving New York AG. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/legal-and-misconduct-allegations-involving-new-york-ag