Congressional Candidate Saikat Chakrabarti Faces Scrutiny Over Maryland Residency Claims

San Francisco, CA – Progressive tech millionaire Saikat Chakrabarti, currently campaigning to succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi in California's 11th congressional district, is facing intense scrutiny over allegations that he has claimed a Maryland home as his principal residence for years. Property, mortgage, and tax filings reportedly indicate that Chakrabarti, despite living in San Francisco, designated a Gaithersburg, Maryland, property as his primary home. The revelations, initially reported by The Standard, have sparked questions regarding potential financial benefits and his eligibility for office.

Records show that when Chakrabarti purchased a $1.6 million home in Gaithersburg in 2018, he signed documents identifying it as his principal residence. For the subsequent seven years, he continued to list the 4,555-square-foot property as his primary home in Maryland property tax filings. Maryland law stipulates that a principal residence requires occupancy for at least seven months of the year, a condition Chakrabarti admits he did not meet.

Chakrabarti, a former chief of staff to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and co-founder of Justice Democrats, has publicly addressed the allegations, calling the discrepancy an "honest mistake." He stated that the home was intended for his parents, who now reside in New Jersey, and that he signed documents prepared by real estate professionals without fully scrutinizing the details. "I can say it was an honest mistake," he told The Standard, adding, "And if there is any money I owe, I will of course pay it back."

Critics, including state Senator Scott Wiener, another candidate for the District 11 seat, have questioned Chakrabarti's long-term commitment to San Francisco. Wiener's spokesperson, Erik Mebust, stated that the property records "raise questions about how long he has lived in San Francisco after having no involvement in the community before becoming a candidate." Chakrabarti asserts he has resided in San Francisco since 2009, owning multiple properties, and has paid California taxes as a resident.

Experts suggest that misrepresenting a property's primary residence status in loan documents could constitute mortgage fraud, potentially securing lower interest rates or tax exemptions. Chakrabarti maintains he never applied for Maryland homestead tax exemptions and claims he did not receive favorable mortgage rates. He also indicated that a second rider on the loan agreement later changed the property's designation to a "second home."

The controversy adds a new dimension to the competitive race for the congressional seat, highlighting the intense scrutiny faced by candidates regarding their personal and financial histories. While federal law requires congressional candidates to be inhabitants of the state they represent at the time of election, it does not mandate residency within a specific district. Chakrabarti's campaign emphasizes his deep roots in San Francisco and his commitment to representing the city's interests.