Letitia James is the current Attorney General of New York State. She has been in office since 2019 and has been a vocal advocate for social justice and consumer protection. As a public servant, her salary is a matter of public record and has been a source of interest and scrutiny.
According to public records, Letitia James earned an annual salary of $219,177 in 2021. This is a significant increase from her salary of $208,942 in 2020. Her salary is higher than the average and median salary for the position of Attorney General. This has led to questions about the justification for such a high salary and whether it is commensurate with the responsibilities of the role.
There have been debates about the salaries of public officials in general, with some arguing that they are overpaid while others believe that they are underpaid given the importance of their roles. Letitia James’ salary is just one example of this ongoing debate. This article will explore the issue of Letitia James’ salary and provide insights into the factors that determine the salaries of public officials.
Background
Letitia James is the current Attorney General of the state of New York. She was elected to the position in 2018, becoming the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected as Attorney General. Before being elected as Attorney General, James served as the Public Advocate for the City of New York, a position she held from 2014 to 2018.
As Attorney General, James has been a vocal advocate for consumer protection and civil rights. She has taken on major corporations and fought against discrimination in all forms. Her office has also been involved in high-profile investigations and lawsuits against powerful figures and entities, including former President Donald Trump and his family.
Letitia James has a long record of public service and activism. She began her career as a public defender in Brooklyn, where she fought for the rights of low-income and marginalized communities. She later served as an Assistant Attorney General in the New York State Attorney General’s Office, where she fought against corruption and fraud.
Letitia James’ Salary
Letitia James is the current Attorney General of New York. According to GovSalaries, in 2021, she had an annual salary of $219,177, which is 195 percent higher than the average and 198 percent higher than the median salary in the Attorney General’s office. This salary is higher than the salary of the Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, who earned $225,000 in 2020, according to Forbes.
Letitia James’ salary has been a topic of discussion in the media. According to ABTC, her salary per month, along with other career earnings, is over $1.5 million annually. However, this claim cannot be verified with official sources.
It is worth noting that Letitia James’ salary is subject to change. According to Ballotpedia, in 2011, Governor Cuomo cut his pay and that of other top officials by 5 percent. It is possible that similar cuts could be made to the salaries of Letitia James and other officials in the future.
Comparison to Other Attorneys General
Letitia James’ salary as the Attorney General of New York is one of the highest in the country. According to GovSalaries, the average salary for an attorney general in the United States is $110,715. However, Letitia James’ reported rate of pay was $220,000 in 2021, which is almost double the national average.
The following table lists the salary reported for each state’s attorney general in the Book of the States going back to 2020. Darker shades of grey indicate higher salaries.
| State | Salary (2020) | Salary (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $165,000 | $165,000 |
| Alaska | $195,000 | $195,000 |
| Arizona | $90,000 | $90,000 |
| Arkansas | $73,000 | $73,000 |
| California | $182,189 | $182,189 |
| Colorado | $80,000 | $80,000 |
| Connecticut | $110,000 | $110,000 |
| Delaware | $151,284 | $151,284 |
| Florida | $128,972 | $128,972 |
| Georgia | $142,500 | $142,500 |
| Hawaii | $144,000 | $144,000 |
| Idaho | $109,000 | $109,000 |
| Illinois | $155,039 | $155,039 |
| Indiana | $94,539 | $94,539 |
| Iowa | $128,000 | $128,000 |
| Kansas | $120,000 | $120,000 |
| Kentucky | $124,000 | $124,000 |
| Louisiana | $151,500 | $151,500 |
| Maine | $104,000 | $104,000 |
| Maryland | $151,000 | $151,000 |
| Massachusetts | $130,582 | $130,582 |
| Michigan | $112,410 | $112,410 |
Criticism and Controversy
Letitia James has faced criticism and controversy throughout her career, including during her time as New York City Public Advocate and as New York’s Attorney General.
One of the most significant controversies surrounding James is her handling of the sexual harassment accusations against her longtime Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Khan. Critics have accused James of mishandling the investigation and failing to take appropriate action against Khan, despite evidence of his misconduct. This controversy has raised concerns about James’ ability to effectively address sexual harassment and other forms of workplace misconduct.
James has also faced criticism for her handling of the Daniel Prude case, in which a Black man died in police custody in Rochester, New York. Critics have accused James of failing to hold law enforcement officials accountable for their actions and of prioritizing political considerations over justice for Prude and his family.
In addition to these controversies, James has faced criticism for her position on various policy issues, including her support for a ban on employers asking about workers’ salary histories. While James has argued that this policy is necessary to address pay discrimination and promote gender equity, critics have argued that it places an undue burden on employers and could have unintended consequences for workers.
Conclusion
Letitia James is the current Attorney General of New York State, and as a public official, her salary is a matter of public record. According to public records, Letitia James earned $219,177 in 2021, which is 195 percent higher than the average salary in her position. This salary is in line with the salaries of other high-level public officials in New York State.
Letitia James has a long record of achievements and is a powerful, effective attorney and lifelong public servant. She was elected in 2018 and became the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected as Attorney General. Her decades of experience and dedication to public service make her a valuable asset to the state of New York.
It is important to note that Letitia James’ salary is publicly funded, and therefore, it is important to ensure that public officials are compensated fairly for their work. However, it is also important to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly and efficiently. As such, it is crucial to regularly review and evaluate the salaries of public officials to ensure that they are in line with industry standards and that public funds are being used responsibly.
