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ASHINGTON – A loan estimate issued on May 28 2021 by Lisa Cook’s credit union shows she listed her Atlanta purchase as a “vacation home.” The document, reviewed by Reuters, contradicts claims that Cook fraudulently reported two different houses as her primary residence. Cook, a Federal Reserve governor, has denied any wrongdoing and continues to hold her post while suing President Trump over a dismissal order.
Cook owns an Ann Arbor, Michigan, home and an investment property in Massachusetts. Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) director Bill Pulte and other administration officials cited mortgage paperwork for the Atlanta and Michigan homes to accuse Cook of claiming both as primary residences. The alleged false declarations could have altered mortgage and tax benefits, prompting Pulte to refer the matter to the Department of Justice and leading to a federal investigation. Cook has not commented; FHFA officials also declined to respond.
The loan estimate, prepared by Washington‑based Bank‑Fund Staff Federal Credit Union, states “Property Use: Vacation Home” and notes that the designation applies unless the lender agrees otherwise in writing. Two independent real‑estate experts say the document supports Cook’s defense, indicating she told the lender her intention was to use the property as a vacation home. The lender did not reply to requests for comment.
Cook never applied for a primary‑residence tax exemption on the Georgia property, according to Fulton County records and a county tax official. A separate federal security‑clearance form (SF‑86 supplement) completed in December 2021 also lists the Atlanta home as a “second home,” aligning with the loan estimate.
The controversy is part of Trump’s broader effort to exert influence over the Federal Reserve, an institution designed to remain politically independent. Trump has frequently criticized Fed governors for resisting rate cuts since his return to office. The scrutiny of Cook’s finances has coincided with investigations into the personal finances of other officials and their families.
Last week, Reuters reported that Pulte’s father and stepmother had declared two homes in different states as their primary residences, leading a Michigan town to revoke a tax exemption and levy back‑taxes on the couple. Pulte and his parents did not comment on the matter.
