U.S. Representative Adam Schiff, a key figure in California politics, faces allegations of mortgage, election, and voter fraud tied to discrepancies in his residency declarations. These claims focus on his properties in Maryland and California, prompting scrutiny over his financial dealings and political eligibility.
In 2003, Adam Schiff purchased a home in Potomac, Maryland, and designated it as his “principal residence” on mortgage documents. He reaffirmed this status during refinances in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013. For example, a 2009 refinance document explicitly states the Maryland property as his primary residence. Under federal guidelines, such as those from Freddie Mac, a principal residence is where an individual lives most of the year, offering benefits like lower mortgage rates and tax deductions. Claiming a property as primary is legally limited to one residence at a time, raising questions about Schiff’s declarations.
Despite labeling his Maryland home as his primary residence, Schiff has served as a U.S. Representative for California’s 28th congressional district since 2001. He also owns a condominium in Burbank, California, which he declared as his principal residence in 2009 when purchasing it. California law mandates that candidates for office be state residents, typically demonstrated through voter registration and physical presence. Schiff’s voter registration in California and his Burbank property support his residency claim there. However, the simultaneous designation of a Maryland primary residence has fueled allegations about how he qualified to run in California.
These conflicting residency claims have led to accusations of both mortgage and election fraud. Mortgage fraud involves falsifying information—like claiming multiple primary residences—to secure better loan terms, a potential violation if Schiff misrepresented his living situation. Election fraud could arise if he misled authorities about his California residency to meet candidacy requirements, which stipulate that representatives must reside in the state they serve. Legal experts have called these allegations significant, though no formal charges have been filed as of April 16, 2025. The dual declarations suggest a pattern that critics argue warrants investigation.
False voter registration constitutes voter fraud, a crime tied to misrepresenting one’s residence to vote or run for office. If Schiff registered to vote in California while claiming Maryland as his primary home, it could be interpreted as fraudulent. His consistent California voter registration aligns with his political career, but the Maryland mortgage documents complicate the narrative. The allegations hinge on whether his residency declarations across contexts—mortgage, voting, and candidacy—were intentionally deceptive.
