Komatireddy Accuses James of Playing Politics, Pledges to Prioritize Crime Fighting

Saritha Komatireddy, a candidate for New York attorney general, has criticized incumbent Letitia James, arguing that the office has become too politicized and has lost focus on its primary duty: fighting crime. Komatireddy, a former federal prosecutor, stated that New Yorkers "deserve an AG who fights criminals instead of playing politics."

Komatireddy, who has campaigned across all 62 counties of New York, emphasized that crime and public safety are the dominant concerns for residents, regardless of their political affiliation. She cited personal anecdotes shared by voters about being victims of crime, including scams, theft, and violent assaults.

"A knife doesn’t ask who you voted for. The man stabbed to death on the J train this fall didn’t get to explain his politics," Komatireddy stated. She highlighted an incident where an 83-year-old Air Force veteran was pushed onto subway tracks and another case involving a grandmother defrauded by a voice-cloning scam.

According to Komatireddy, crime in New York has risen significantly under James's tenure. She claims that from 2019 to 2024, crime increased by 26%, with felony assaults seeing a notable rise. Komatireddy attributed a decrease in murders and shootings to police efforts, suggesting that "when you actually lock up the trigger-pullers, people stop pulling triggers."

Komatireddy also pointed to a specific hate crime incident where an assault victim of a "dirty Jew" slur allegedly resulted in a misdemeanor charge that was later reduced and dismissed, with the perpetrator only paying for the victim's dry-cleaning bill. Komatireddy vowed that if elected, her office would intervene in such hate crime cases when local prosecutors do not.

She referenced a comment made by James during a debate, where the incumbent allegedly said "you don’t have to look at the facts and the law." Komatireddy countered that the facts and the law are the foundation of her work and the protection citizens have against an agenda-driven prosecutor.

Komatireddy further alleged that an email from one of James's prosecutors stated the office was making decisions based on politics rather than evidence, leading to the prosecutor's termination and the leaking of his personnel file. "That is what happens when a law office turns into a political office," Komatireddy said.

Komatireddy proposed reallocating resources within the attorney general's office, suggesting that half of the approximately 700 lawyers could focus on prosecuting crime. She expressed willingness to send prosecutors to assist any district attorney, regardless of party affiliation, who needs help apprehending repeat offenders.

Beyond criminal prosecution, Komatireddy addressed the issue of homelessness and mental health, citing the deaths of over a dozen individuals on the streets of New York last winter. She called current conditions "immoral" and proposed an "Office of Civil Commitment" to place dangerously mentally ill individuals into treatment.

Komatireddy concluded by stating that New Yorkers "don’t have an attorney general right now" but rather "a political hack who is using our tax dollars to make herself famous." She reiterated that if New York is not safe, "nothing else matters."

Komatireddy previously served as a federal prosecutor for over a decade, focusing on terrorism and narcotics, and also held the position of chief of staff at the Drug Enforcement Administration.