Wednesday, September 05, 2007

District Of Columbia vs. Metropolitan Money Store

(original post - 9-4-07)
As reported here last week, a second civil lawsuit has been filed against foreclosure rescue operator Metropolitan Money Store (Joy Jackson, Kurt Fordham, et al.), this time in the D.C. Superior Court by the Washington, D.C. Attorney General (the first lawsuit was filed in a Maryland Federal Court seeking class action status).

Go here for the D.C. Attorney General Press Release - AG Singer Sues Metropolitan Money Store, Others, Alleging They Stripped More Than $2 Million In Equity From DC Homeowners.

For a copy of the D.C. Attorney General lawsuit, see District of Columbia vs. Metropolitan Money Store, et al. (available online courtesy of Mayor Adrian Fenty, and DC Attorney General Linda Singer).

For a copy of the first lawsuit, see Proctor, et al. v. Metropolitan Money Store, et al. (available online courtesy of Legg Law Firm, LLC.).

Go here for other posts on Metropolitan Money Store.

For more on equity stripping scams, generally, see DREAMS FORECLOSED: The Rampant Theft of Americans' Homes Through Equity-stripping Foreclosure 'Rescue' Scams (4.61 MB approx.).

Metropolitan Money Store Class Action Website

(original post - 9-4-07)
The attorneys for the plaintiffs suing foreclosure rescue operator Metropolitan Money Store (involving Joy Jackson, Kurt Fordham and others and which seeks class action status) in a Maryland Federal court have set up a website to allow homeowners who have been taken advantage of by Metropolitan Money Store and others to voice their concerns, share information and get information about the pending lawsuit that was filed as a class action. For more, check out the Metropolitan Money Store Class Action Website.

For a copy of the class action lawsuit filed in Maryland, see Proctor, et al. v. Metropolitan Money Store, et al. (available online courtesy of Legg Law Firm, LLC.).

Go here for other posts on Metropolitan Money Store.

For more on equity stripping scams, generally, see DREAMS FORECLOSED: The Rampant Theft of Americans' Homes Through Equity-stripping Foreclosure 'Rescue' Scams (4.61 MB approx.).

AG Coakley Puts "For Profit" Foreclosure Rescue Operators Out Of Business In Massachusetts

(original post - 9-4-07)
From the office of the Massachusetts Attorney General:
  • "Attorney General Martha Coakley has filed a regulation with the Secretary of State’s Office that permanently bans for-profit foreclosure rescue transactions in the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act authorizes the Attorney General to promulgate regulations to identify unfair or deceptive conduct that violates the act. The new regulation prohibits predatory, for-profit foreclosure rescue transactions. Foreclosure rescue transactions between family members or arranged by a non-profit community or housing organization are not banned under this regulation. The new regulation also makes it an unfair or deceptive act to market foreclosure-related services without a precise description of how the promoter will assist persons in avoiding or delaying foreclosure. The regulations define a “Foreclosure Rescue Transaction” as a transaction designed to avoid foreclosure and where the homeowner transferring the property maintains an option to reacquire the home by maintaining a legal interest in the home."

For more, see Mass AG Press Release - Attorney General Martha Coakley Permanently Bans Foreclosure Rescue Transactions.

See also, Coakley bans foreclosure rescue scams (Swapping help for house title called exploitive) (The Boston Globe - 9-5-07).

For more on equity stripping scams, generally, see DREAMS FORECLOSED: The Rampant Theft of Americans' Homes Through Equity-stripping Foreclosure 'Rescue' Scams (4.61 MB approx.).

Connecticut AG Files Suit In Predatory Lending, Mortgage Fraud Scam

TheDay.com reports:
  • "Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and state Banking Commissioner Howard F. Pitkin today served a lawsuit against New London loan officer Jose Guzman and his associates, accusing him of leading “an extensive predatory lending scheme” that violated the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and state banking law. Also named in the suit are Royal Financial Services, LLC, in Trumbull, First Source Mortgage Solutions, Inc., in Branford, Elizabeth Athan Real Estate, LLC, in Shelton, J.G. Property Management & Investment, LLC, of New London and Attorney Maurizio Lancia, of Trumbull. Cutting Edge Contracting of Norwich, of which Brian Guimond is the sole proprietor, according to court documents, is also named in the suit."
For more, see New London Loan Officer Sued for Leading Predatory Lending Scheme, and State Suit Alleges Predatory Lending (Guzman, associates accused in scam that targeted Hispanics).

See also, Fighting To Keep Their Homes (Borrowers Victimized By Predatory Loans Look For Ways To Stay).

For AG Press Release, see Blumenthal Sues Brokers, Realtors And Others For Vast Predatory Lending Scheme.

For a copy of the lawsuit, see State of Connecticut vs. Royal Financial Services, LLC., et al.

Go here for other posts on the investigation of the named defendants.

Central Florida Man Charged In Alleged Home Improvement Scam

The Tampa Tribune reports:

  • "Frank Edmund Donofrio, the Seminole man who has been accused by at least a dozen Pinellas County residents of failing to properly renovate their property and of setting them up with high interest loans to pay for the work, was arrested in Tampa last week. Donofrio, 41, was charged with grand theft and acting in the capacity of a contractor without a license. The charges were the result of his dealings with a Tampa homeowner."

In addition to the current legal matter, Donofrio reportedly also has hanging over his head (1) a pending 2005 criminal case for a charge of grand theft in connection with another contract, and (2) a civil case in which he was sued by almost a dozen homeowners for shoddy work and for setting them up with high interest loans (some have since agreed to undisclosed financial settlements, but four are proceeding with the suit). For more, see Controversial renovator charged with grand theft (Civil and criminal charges are not new for Frank Donofrio, who took over his parents' business).

For other articles on the alleged escapades of Eddie Donofrio, see:

  • Renovator pleads no contest to theft (Frank Donofrio must pay $13,200 in restitution to a St. Petersburg homeowner. He still faces lawsuits related to other incidents).
  • Remodeler faces new complaints (A couple accuse him of shoddy work at a steep price) (St. Petersburg Times, 1-28-2007),
  • Home renovator wants to settle suit (Ed Donofrio sends checks to at least two couples. They say it's not nearly enough) (St. Petersburg Times, 2-13-2005),
  • State investigators home in on renovator ("Eddie" Donofrio says he is trying to satisfy clients who complained of incomplete and incompetent work) (St. Petersburg Times, 4-18-2004),
  • In a fix (Homeowners were promised affordable home improvements, but say they were delivered high payments, shoddy work and stress), (St. Petersburg Times, 3-21-2004).

Go here for other stories of contractors stiffing customers.

contractors stiff subs customers alpha

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Abandoned Homes Raise Public Safety & Health Risks

An East Valley Tribune (Phoenix, Arizona) article appearing on MSNBC reports:
  • "Cash-strapped homeowners facing foreclosure are abandoning their homes in higher numbers and leaving behind potential public safety and health risks. City code enforcers and county health officials are saying many of the vacated houses are showing up in newer high-end subdivisions historically immune to such trends. [...] Once homeowners pack up and leave, the vacated houses create problems that include the overall appearance of the neighborhood and more serious health hazards. Green stagnant pools can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus. Empty homes can become flop houses for squatters and vandals. Unkempt yards are eyesores for neighbors that can also bring property values down. [... One] Mesa police officer ... said he has seen abandoned homes used for parties by teenagers and for criminal activity such as drug dealing."
For more, see Abandoned homes let health risks move in.

Deceptive Use Of Federal Government Insignia Lands Lender In Hot Water

KPIX-TV Channel 5 in San Francisco reports:
  • "The Monterey County District Attorney's office ordered the mortgage company Lending First Home Loans, Inc. to pay $15,000 in civil penalties for charges relating to fraudulent loan advertising, according to the district attorney's office. The company may be subject to a permanent injunction, as it reportedly sent unsolicited fliers featuring federal government insignia to Monterey County residents even though the company offered only private loans. [...] The civil suit that resulted from the investigation alleges that Lending Home Loans, Inc. illegally deceived consumers by withholding that the loan promotion was not government sponsored or endorsed."

For more, see Monterey: Mortgage Company Ordered To Pay $15,000 In Fraud Lawsuit.

Coping With The Income Tax Hit On "Short Sales" & Foreclosure Sales

A recent syndicated column in the Los Angeles Times gives a layperson's explanation of how the income tax law operates when a homeowner receives the benefit of a cancellation of debt when he or she sells a home on a short sale (when the sale price is less than what is owed to the mortgage lender), or when the home is sold in foreclosure and the sale proceeds are less than the homeowner's outstanding loan balance.

Also mentioned are several of the exceptions to the general rule that income from the mortgage lender's cancellation of debt is taxable to the homeowner, including the bankruptcy exception and the insolvency exception that have been discussed here in prior posts.

Also meriting attention in the column were the options that may be available to a taxpayer to pay off the tax if they have no cash to pay it (IRS Offer-In-Compromise - see IRS Form 656 & Instructions (44 pages - 3.3 MB); and Payment Plans, Installment Agreements - see IRS Form 9465).

For more on the syndicated column, see Look out for tax hit after home loss; Tax hit could follow home loss (President Bush proposes a temporary exemption. Here's a Q & A on how that might affect homeowners in distress).

Go here for prior posts on dodging the income tax on short sales and foreclosure sales.

For further information from the government on avoiding the income tax in these situations under current law, see:

Hollywood, Florida Cops Flush Out Alleged Toilet Part Pilferers

The South Florida Sun Sentinel (among other media outlets) is reporting on three suspects who have been apprehended and charged with stealing about $2,000 worth of commercial toilet flush valves at a state park in Broward County, Florida. According to the story:
  • "Detectives are investigating whether the suspects are responsible for a string of similar thefts throughout south Broward County. Valves from toilets and urinals have disappeared since May at parks and fast-food restaurants, rendering the restrooms useless."

Reportedly, the global shortage of copper, aluminum, nickel and other materials found in the stolen parts has driven up demand and prices for all metals worldwide (and is apparently driving the thefts of metal plumbing parts). Brass devices that prevent backflow on water lines is also growing in popularity as a theft target. For more, see Police flush out suspects who stole toilet parts from parks, restaurants (if link is expired, try here).

Go here for posts on copper & other metal thefts.

See also, WFOR-TV Channel 4 TV report - Thieves Caught Stripping Bathroom Toilet Fixtures.

Theft of metal parts (as well as other items of value) is not unheard of in the context of abandoned, vacant foreclosed homes. See this Minnesota story on thieves breaking into vacant homes and ripping off the copper tubing; or this Indiana story which, among other things, involved stripping homes of their siding, copper wiring, appliances, metal fixtures and anything else salvageable. With the inventory of vacant foreclosed homes littering the landscape on the upswing, I suspect that my coming across more of these metal and appliance stripping stories will also be on the upswing. copper metal theft zebra

Monday, September 03, 2007

Equity Skimming Scam Lands Con Mail In Jail; Leaves Woman Homeless

In Pennsylvania, the Pocono Record reports that Sid J. Butler, 51, a Bartonsville con artist posing as a real estate broker was sentenced to six to 23 months in jail after pleading guilty to a scam that left a 63-year-old Effort woman homeless.

Reportedly, Butler, who has no real estate broker’s license, took possession of a home that had gone into foreclosure and, after the previous occupant moved out, rented the home to the victim. Butler never told her the house was in foreclosure and told her she could pay him rent with the option to buy it from him. She lived in the house for one year, paying Butler a total of $6,000 in rent over that time period. A few days after a sheriff’s deed was issued on the foreclosed property, she unwittingly issued Butler an $80,000 check to buy the home from him. After becoming aware of the foreclosure, she asked Butler for her money back. She never received her money and was ultimately evicted from the property and now lives with family in New Jersey. For more, see Con man gets county jail time for scam that left woman homeless.

For other stories on tenants unknowingly renting homes in foreclosure, go here, or here, or here. beta

Tenants In Apartment Building In Foreclosure Lose Lights, Fear Running Water Is Next

WTOL-TV Channel 11 in Toledo, Ohio reports on the predicament tenants in a certain apartment building face as their landlord reportedly has been stiffing the mortgage lender out of its mortgage payments and allowing the building to go into foreclosure. In addition to the possiblity of ultimately facing eviction, electricity to the common areas of the premises (exterior and hallway lighting, etc.) has already been cut off, literally leaving the tenants in the dark. They expect the running water to the property will be cut off by mid-September (the landlord is apparently stiffing the utility companies, too). The Call 11 For Action Problem Solver Mika Highsmith had the following advice for all Toledo, Ohio residents (hopefully with some input from the Channel 11 legal department):
  • "If this is happening to you, go straight to Toledo Municipal Court. There you can put your rent in escrow and apply for a restraining order to save your utilities. It may seem like a hassle you don't deserve, but it's worth it."

Go here to watch the Channel 11 TV report, or to read the online report, see She Rents a Place that's in Foreclosure -- So She Contacted Mika Highsmith for Help.

For other stories on tenants unknowingly renting homes in foreclosure, go here, or here, or here. unwittingly equity skimming beta

Another Landlord Pockets Rent While Home Goes Into Foreclosure; Tenant Faces Imminent Move

In California, the Tracy Press reports on the story of a tenant who:

  • "is one of the indirect casualties of the sharp downturn in the housing market. She’s rented the same house with her kids for two years, but not for much longer, as the home she lives in is being hit by the foreclosure bug. [... She] learned recently that her home will be sold [at a trustee's sale] at the San Joaquin County Courthouse next week."
Reportedly, the landlord is trying to find a solution, but if one isn't found, a search for new living accomodations for the tenant and her five children, ages 5 through 18, may be imminent. For more, see Hit by a bank shot.

For other stories on tenants unknowingly renting homes in foreclosure, go here, or here, or here. unwittingly equity skimming beta

Alleged Equity Skimming Forces Illinois Couple To Move From Rented Foreclosed Home On Short Notice

Daily Southtown recently reported the story of a husband and wife who say they faithfully paid $1,400 in rent each month to their landlord on a lease that was to run until August, 2008. They recently received court papers giving them and their four children until September 15 to move out. The reason: the couple's landlord stopped making the mortgage payments and the bank acquired title to the home in a foreclosure sale (the landlord happened to be the husband's sister). For more, see Alsip family losing home because of landlord's refusal to make mortgage payments.

For a story update, including the landlord's rebuttal, see Readers reach out to Alsip family forced out of home (Landlord says she hasn't seen payment in almost a year).

A new Illinois statute (effective 1-1-2008) providing tenants in this situation 120 days to find new living accomodations can be found either at Public Act 95-0262, or at 735 ILCS 5/15‑1701.

For other stories on tenants unknowingly renting homes in foreclosure, go here, or here, or here. unwittingly beta

New Illinois Law To Ease Foreclosure-Eviction Trouble On Unwitting Tenants

In Illinois, Daily Southtown reports:
  • "Renters who live in buildings under foreclosure will be protected from eviction if their landlords default on mortgage payments thanks to a new law sponsored by Sen. Maggie Crotty (D-Oak Forest). The legislation allows tenants who are up-to-date on rent payments to stay in their homes for 120 days after notice of a foreclosure hearing. Tenants could be evicted with little or no warning under previous law. "If somebody is making their rent payments and unbeknownst to them the landlords themselves aren't making their mortgage payments, I didn't think that's fair to give no notice to the renters," Crotty said."

The law, which takes effect January 1, 2008, was passed in response to the equity skimming practices engaged in by some real estate investors who, in getting in over their heads financially with an investment property, decide to cut their losses by stiffing the mortgage lender out of its mortgage payments while renting out the premises to a tenant, pocketing the monthly rent until the mortgage lender initiates foreclosure proceedings that culminate in a public auction of the premises. The tenants, unaware of the ongoing legal process in many cases, have been left with little time to move out and find new living accomodations.

For more, see New law gives foreclosure notice to help renters (Legislation inspired by Daily Southtown columns allows tenants to stay in their homes for 120 days if their landlords default on mortgage payments).

The actual Illinois statute can be found either at Public Act 95-0262, or at 735 ILCS 5/15‑1701.

For a related story of tenants finding themselves with having to vacate a rented foreclosed home on short notice, see Alsip family losing home because of landlord's refusal to make mortgage payments.

For other stories on tenants unknowingly renting homes in foreclosure, go here, or here, or here. unwittingly beta

Fires & Foreclosures

The following are excerpts from three stories of property in foreclosure that caught fire under suspicious circumstances.

Minnesota Woman Facing Foreclosure Charged With Torching Home

The Prior Lake American reports:

  • "A 48-year-old Prior Lake [Minnesota] woman was charged with first-degree arson in Scott County District Court on Aug. 15. Tammie Wells-Clark Narveson allegedly started her home ... on fire at approximately 11:33 p.m. on Oct. 6., 2006, according to the criminal complaint. [...] Narveson told police that she had been served with divorce papers by her husband a week earlier. She told police her husband still lived at the home but slept in the basement. [...] When officers spoke with Narveson’s husband, he told them the house was in foreclosure. However, Narveson herself told police that their bills were up-to-date and their finances were in good shape, and the house was insured."

For more, see Woman charged with arson.

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Georgia Home in Foreclosure Goes Up In Flames

The Macon Telegraph reports:

  • "For the fifth time in two weeks, Byron firefighters were once again called to a Byron area residence this morning. And this time, the fire destroyed the home. [...] The state fire marshal's office and the Peach County Sheriff's Office already have been investigating an earlier fire at the same home, which is the subject of a foreclosure, [the Peach County fire chief] said."

see Byron house fire under investigation.

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Fire In Vacant House In Foreclosure Labeled "Suspicious"

In Michigan, the Adrian Daily Telegram reports:

  • "An unoccupied house was heavily damaged by what a fire official called a suspicious blaze. [...] According to Lenawee County property records, both parcels ... were in foreclosure ..."

For more, see Friday afternoon fire damages vacant home on Seneca Highway.

For other posts on fires & foreclosures, go here and go here. zebra

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Helen The Pig Found Living Alone In Foreclosed Barn; Now Recuperating

The Express-Times recently ran a story on Helen the Pot Bellied Pig, a 5-year-old swine that had been living alone in a barn on a 10 acre property containing the barn and a farmhouse that a bank foreclosed on. Reportedly, the farm's former owner had been cleaning her shelter, changing her water and feeding her a steady diet of dog food, pizza, doughnuts and frozen waffles. Her diet not only undoubtedly spoiled Helen's figure, as she weighed in at about 20-30 pounds overweight (120-130 lbs. vs about 100 lbs.), but the excess weight is causing her some physical problems. With the help of the Pig Placement Network, a nonprofit pet pig rescue and adoption service, it is expected that she'll take off the excess weight, hopefully overcome her health problems, and be ready for adoption in about a year. For more, see:

Go here for other posts on Helen The Pig.

For more on potbellied pigs, see the North American Potbellied Pig Association (NAPPA).

For another story on the health problems of a pig who was allowed to get overweight, see Woman Claims Pet-Sitter Made Her Pig Fat (A woman wants abuse charges filed against an acquaintance who was pet-sitting for her potbellied pig and allowed the animal to get fat. Michelle Schmitz said her pig, Alaina Templeton, weighed 50 pounds when Schmitz left her with a co-worker who offered to care for the animal in February, when Schmitz went on medical leave to recover from ankle surgeries. Nine months later, the pig weighed 150 pounds and it took veterinarians 4 1/2 hours to surgically remove the animal's collar, the Winona Daily News reported).

Go here for more on pets and foreclosures.

Cat Count Up To 142 At NJ Mansion Bought At Foreclosure Sale For $2.6M

(revised 9-3-07)
In a story that still has legs, the Bergen Record reports:
  • "Animal control officials continue to extract cats from a borough home where scores of roaming felines and the carcasses of 23 dead and bagged dogs and cats were found more than two weeks ago. "We still have cats in there," said Carol Tyler of Tyco Professional Animal Control in Midland Park, where most of the cats have been sheltered. 'There are at least four that we've seen, and there may be more. We're up to a count of 142 that were in the house so far.' [...] The home was in foreclosure and had been bought by restaurateur Michael Acciardi, 47, who lives next door and has said he bought it for $2.6 million without seeing the interior. He said he did not get a look at the inside until Aug. 23 after he returned from vacation and immediately said he wanted to cancel the deal."

For more, see Officers discover more cats hiding in Saddle River home.

Go here for other posts and links to online reports on this story.

Go here for a picture of the front of what is reportedly the $2.6 million mansion.

Washington Post Reminder On Metropolitan Money Store

There is a short 7-line blurb on today's "Week In Review" page (page C04) of The Washington Post on foreclosure rescue operator Metropolitan Money Store. Nothing new - just a reminder that there are now two lawsuits pending against the company, Joy Jackson, Kurt Fordham, and others - the class action lawsuit filed in Maryland, and the more recent lawsuit file in the District of Columbia by the D.C. Attorney General. Also a reminder that the U.S. Secret Service and the FBI are investigating. To read the blurb, see Claims Against Lender Increase (Managers of Pr. George's Firm Lived High Life).

Metropolitan Money Store & Metro Dream Homes, Metropolitan Grapevine

For readers looking for posts on one or both of two big, but unrelated, stories coming out of Maryland, I have provided two links below that may be of some help to those looking for the several posts on these stories.

  • Go here for posts on the two Metropolitan Money Store cases (Joy Jackson, Kurt Fordham, et al.); one a class action suit brought by private individuals; the other brought by the District of Columbia Attorney General,
  • Go here for POS Metro Dream Homes & Metropolitan Grapevine (includes links to Andrew Williams' video reponse to the recent articles in The Washington Post about the company).

For story update on Metro Dream Homes, see Federal Court Denies "Dream Homes" Request To Lift Cease & Desist Order (10-2-07).

Long Time Owners Losing Homes To Subprime Foreclosures

WTOV-TV Channel 9 in Steubenville, Ohio reports on an 85-year-old Clarington woman who has lived in her home for 40 years and was left with no choice but to move out because she couldn't afford the mortgage payments. The woman decided to refinance her home mortgage to pay for repairs, but the mortgage payments became unaffordable. Go here to watch the WTOV Channel 9 report, or to read the online report, see Elderly Woman's Home Being Taken Away.

KGO-TV Channel 7 in the San Francisco Bay area reports on a 74-year-old retired operating room nurse who has lived in her home for 39 years. The home is now in foreclosure, thanks to a sea of paperwork and a subprime mortgage loan leaving her unable to make the $2700 monthly payment. Fo more, see Oakland Subprime Victim Fights Back In Washington (74-Year Old Faces Foreclosure).

Cleveland Attorney Indicted Of Stealing $178K From Clients

In Ohio, a Cleveland Plain Dealer blog reports:
  • "A Cleveland attorney was indicted [Thursday] in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court on theft charges accusing her of stealing more than $178,000 from an East Side church and a probate estate. Cynthia D. Smith, 53, is accused of stealing $100,000 from the Eternal Security Baptist Church and more than $78,000 from a representative of a probate estate administered in Connecticut when she sold a property in Cleveland."

For more, see Cleveland lawyer charged with theft.

Missouri Mortgage Broker Pleads Guilty To Federal Conspiracy Charge In Flipping Scam

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Bennie Clark, 33, of Lake St. Louis, and owner of World Wide Financial LLC, pleaded guilty Friday in a St.Louis Federal Court to a conspiracy charge in a fraud scheme that cost mortgage lenders as much as $1 million and could cost him up to three years in federal prison. According to the story:

  • "Clark ... admitted that he and a Hazelwood man named Michael Jackson used straw buyers and rigged appraisals and financial information to inflate the prices of properties in St. Louis and St. Louis and St. Charles counties before reselling them, according to prosecutors and court documents."
The others involved in the conspiracy were: Jackson (guilty plea to a felony fraud charge; not yet sentenced), Donna Brown, an employee at Clark's firm (guilty plea in March; four years' probation and 100 hours of community service), straw buyer Robert Casey (five years probation, $132,929 restitution order), and appraiser Reginald Mays (not charged in case, but sentenced earlier to three years' probation; $2.1 million restitution order in another mortgage fraud case). For more, see Mortgage broker pleads guilty of fraud scheme.

For story updates, see:

Ohio Man & Neighbors Save Foreclosed Cincinnati Cat House And Its 62 "Residents"

WKRC-TV Channel 12 in Cincinnati, Ohio reports:
  • "Three months ago, the owner of 251 Strader in the East End moved out, but left behind more than 60 cats. The bank foreclosed on the property and it was facing the wrecking ball. But ... the house has been spared and so has a neighborhood facing a serious cat problem. 251 Strader is still a little rough, but it's a long way from where it was in May, abandoned, except for 62 cats living on both floors and in the attic."
Michael Bolan, who purchased the house from Fannie Mae after it got stuck with it after a foreclosure and had to unload it, had quotes from three wrecking companies to demolish the house. He stuck it out instead and, with the help of some of his new neighbors, cleaned the house, successfully eliminated the horrific smell (Bolan found a Cincinnati-based company, OdorXit, whose products are designed for such challenges), and, with planned renovations, can be inhabited. The cats and kittens have all been saved with the heroic efforts of some animal rescue groups, veterinarians, and others, although more than 40 of them are still looking for homes (those looking to adopt or donate can check out ForeclosureCats.org).

For more, see (stories no longer available online):
  • Cat House Gets New Lease On Life,
  • East End celebrates homes, garden, rescue (Cincinnati Post),
  • Horrific 'cat house' cleaned up (Cincinnati Enquirer).

Go here to view Channel 12 TV report.

Go here for more on pets and foreclosures.

Neighbors Raising "Stink" Over Foreclosed Homes From Coast To Coast

California

KOVR-TV Channel 13 in Sacramento, California reports on a house that has been stinking up the neighborhood for the last two years. Reportedly, the former owner abandoned the home about three nonths ago, leaving about a dozen cats behind. The mortgage lender recently foreclosed on the home and has arranged for the house to be cleaned out. The cats were rescued from the house and are now in the care of animal control officers. For the people living around the problem property, their two year fight to get rid of the stench may soon be over. For more, see House Stinks Up Orangevale Neighborhood.

Go here to watch the Channel 13 TV report, Stinky House.

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North Carolina

WXII-TV Channel 12 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina reports on an abandoned home recently acquired by a foreclosing mortgage lender that was left by the prior owner with so much garbage, the stench can be smelled around the neighborhood. Dog feces, stacks of garbage and empty dog food bags are among the items found inside the home. Reportedly, the house could be condemned, and if the problems aren't fixed, code enforcement could go to the city council to ask for a demolition order. For more, see Residents Raise Stink Over Filthy House.

Go here to watch the Channel 12 TV report, Dirty House In Foreclosure.

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Maine

Homeowners In Foreclosure Sue Town For Wrongful Demolition Of Garbage-Filled, Rat Infested Structures

The Kennebec Joutnal reports:

  • "The town of Palermo maintains it followed correct procedures to demolish a garbage-filled house, vehicles and outbuildings ... in June. The former occupants of the property, Donald Clark Sr. and his wife, Terri Clark, sued both the town and the town's attorney ... a month after some 200 tons of rubbish were removed by court order. Neighbors had complained about both the odor emanating from the garbage and the infestation of rats."

For more, see Town defends demolishing of Clark property.

Ohio Inmates To Begin Mowing Lawns At Vacant Homes

The Tribune-Chronicle reports:
  • "With the area’s foreclosure rate one of the highest in the nation, the city of Warren and Trumbull County are joining forces in an attempt to tackle at least some of the blight issues. County Sheriff Thomas Altiere said non-violent male inmates from the county jail will soon be mowing the grass at vacant homes in the city. As a result, the offenders will receive one day off their sentence for each day they mow. [...] The city also has an agreement with Trumbull Correctional Institution for non-violent female workers to help mow grass, pull weeds and plant flowers."
For more, see Warren, county reach deal on grass mowing.

Saturday, September 01, 2007

Central Florida Fraudster Cops Plea; Two Others Face Trials

The Orlando Sentinel reports:
  • "An Osceola County man accused of defrauding home buyers and mortgage lenders faces five years in prison and 15 years of probation as part of a plea he entered Thursday in Osceola Circuit Court. Leandro Javier Obenauer, 38, was charged with racketeering and other offenses in 2004 after he was accused of swindling thousands of dollars from lenders and first-time Central Florida home buyers or those with low income or poor credit in a scheme dating back to 1999. [...] The state said Obenauer and co-conspirators purchased low-value properties at a discount, and resold them at inflated prices while pretending to represent the property owners. They obtained the loans with falsified information and negotiated contracts worth more than the houses, putting buyers in loans for which they did not qualify and which they could not afford to repay ..."

Reportedly, seventeen families lost money. Trials for co-defendant Robert E. Merchant and Scott Hutchinson, 51, of Winter Springs, a real-estate appraiser who prosecutors said inflated the values of houses and charged with organized fraud of more than $50,000, are pending. For more, see Osceola man pleads guilty in real-estate fraud case.

Go here for Florida Attorney General Press Release - Osceola Man Pleads Guilty to Mortgage Fraud Scheme.

For story update, see Man gets prison time for fraud. (Obenauer was sentenced to five years in a prison and 15 years probation Monday. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit racketeering and grand theft of over $100,000 -- both first-degree felonies -- in addition to four counts of third-degree grand theft) (Orlando Sentinel - 9-11-07).

Texas Feds Get Guilty Plea In $15M Fraud, Money Laundering Conspiracy

From the U.S. Attorney's Office - Western District of Texas:

  • "United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that 56-year-old Firooz Deljavan, former owner and operator of Austin Realtors Network, Inc., faces five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to participating in a fraud and money laundering scheme that defrauded federally insured financial institutions and mortgage lenders of more than $15 million. [...] Deljavan pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail, wire and bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering."
His wife, Rosemary Rios, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements in obtaining a real estate loan. Nineteen other individuals have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in this scheme while two remain as fugitives.

For more, see U.S. Attorney Press Release - Former Austin Businessman And Federal fugitive Pleads Guilty To Fraud And Money Laundering Charges.

Two Minnesota Mortgage Brokers Cop Guilty Pleas In Fraud Conspiracy

In Minnesota, the Pioneer Press reports:
  • "Two more Twin Cities mortgage brokers have pleaded guilty as the U.S. Attorney's office continues its crackdown on mortgage fraud. Sean Leaf of Woodbury and Christopher Horton of Minnetonka, both 34, pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to one count each of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and bank fraud in connection with their business at First Rate Mortgage Group, the U.S. Attorney's office said Thursday. The men admitted to mailing bogus loan applications to banks and mortgage lenders between 2000 and 2004, along with four co-defendants connected to the business."

Reportedly, the scheme involved loaning home buyers money for down payments without disclosing same to mortgage lenders, using inflated buyers' income and assets, falsely describing the buyers' employment, using forged signatures, and using faked and altered pay stubs, gift letters and bank statements. Among the recipients of the doctored loan applications were Washington Mutual Bank for $1.33 million and to Associated Bank for $378,555.

Reportedly, co-defendants Edward Septon, Christopher Septon, Joddilee Lindberg and Micah Thormodsgaard have arraignments scheduled and plan to plead guilty to at least one of the counts, according to court documents. For more, see 2 guilty in mortgage scheme (link no longer available online).

See also, U.S. Attorney Press Release - Two More Individuals Plead Guilty to Charges Related to Mortgage Fraud (link no longer available online).

Downstate NY Consumer Affairs Cite 200+ Unlicensed Home Repair Contractors

The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs recently announced:
  • "New York regional consumer affairs and law enforcement agencies [recently] announced the results of a coordinated, multi-county enforcement initiative targeting unlicensed home improvement contractors operating in the five boroughs and beyond. The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties collectively reported issuing more than 200 violations, 200 criminal summonses or arrests, and seizing more than 70 vehicles owned by unlicensed home improvement contractors during the month of July."

For more, see NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs Press Release - NY Officials Announce Results Of Coordinated Enforcement Targeting Unlicensed Home Improvement Contractors.

See also, Contractor sting nets hundreds of violations (Newsday), and City, counties battle home-fix scammers (New York Daily News).

Friday, August 31, 2007

President Bush Announces Plan To Help Families Keep Homes

The White House reports:
  • "Today, President Bush Announced Steps At The Federal Level To Help Homeowners In Need Of Assistance Avoid Foreclosure. These steps will help homeowners having difficulty paying their mortgages and ensure that the problems now disrupting the housing industry do not happen again. The fundamentals of America's economy are strong – economic growth is healthy, wages are rising, and unemployment is low. The markets are in a period of transition as participants are re-assessing and re-pricing risk. One area that has shown particular strain is the mortgage market, particularly the subprime sector."

For more, see Fact Sheet: New Steps to Help Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure (President Bush Announces Steps To Help American Families Keep Their Homes And Reform The Mortgage Finance System) (Office of the Press Secretary - 8-31-07).

For transcript of President Bush's announcement, see President Bush Discusses Homeownership Financing.

Non Owner Occupied Houses Make Up Big Chunk Of Foreclosures, Says MBA

The Wall Street Journal reports:
  • "Investors played a big role in pumping up home prices during the housing boom. Now, they account for an outsize proportion of loan defaults, mortgage bankers and builders say. A survey by the Mortgage Bankers Association found that mortgages on properties that aren't occupied by the owner -- mostly investment homes -- account for between 21% and 32% of the defaults on prime-quality home loans in Arizona, California, Florida and Nevada, states where overdue payments are mounting fast. [...] When the market was hot, many speculators bought homes hoping to flip them for a quick profit. But now that home prices have turned lower, that strategy is backfiring. As a result, some investors have 'simply walked away from their mortgages' ... ."

For more, see Investors Default On Outsize Share Of Home Loans.

Go here for posts on landlords,investors and others cutting their losses when being "upside down" on their mortgages through equity skimming, where the property owner begins stiffing the mortgage lender on the mortgage payments while renting the home out and pocketing the tenant rentals until the property is sold in a foreclosure or trustee's sale.

Feds Nail Two Attorneys In Unrelated Fraud Conspiracies

In two unrelated cases, a Virginia and a Kentucky atttorney have each gotten nailed by Federal authorities in conspiring to commit bank or wire fraud.

In Virginia:

The Fairfax County Times reports:
  • "A United States District Judge on Aug. 30 sentenced a former bankruptcy attorney from Fairfax, Leslie W. Lickstein, to 12 months and one day in prison following his conviction in May 2007 of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Lickstein, 54, was also ordered to pay $1.1 million in restitution."
Lickstein allegedly prepared a bogus HUD-1 closing statement involving a multi-million dollar home mortgage that ultimately went into default, causing the bank to take a $1.1 million hit. For more, see Attorney sentenced in mortgage fraud scheme.

In Kentucky:

An Associated Press report in the Lexington Herald-Leader states:
  • "Court documents unsealed in Lexington contain an admission by a 41-year-old lawyer that he conspired to commit wire fraud. Kim Clay of Lexington admitted in documents unsealed yesterday that he worked with real estate buyers and sellers to falsify information on mortgage forms, deceiving banks and mortgage companies. Clay is the owner of Universal Title. He was indicted in May, last year on state charges related to missing money from Universal Title's escrow accounts. As part of an agreement that Clay reached with federal prosecutors, the state charges will be dropped."

Source: Lawyer admits conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Go here for stories on other alleged escrow agent mishandling of funds. sneaky slick escrow agents alpha

South Carolina Feds Get Guilty Plea For Bank Fraud/Money Laundering; Bank Takes $4.5 Million Hit

In South Carolina, the Rock Hill Herald reports:
  • "A Rock Hill man has pleaded guilty to defrauding a bank out of $4.5 million, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Kyle Wimmer ... pleaded guilty to bank fraud and money laundering during a hearing Tuesday... . "
The scam involved using false information on loan applications and inflated appraisals to induce a BB&T branch in South Carolina to loan more money than they ordinarily would. About 100 loans were taken out, but many went into default, ultimately costing the bank about $4.5 million. For more, see Rock Hill man pleads guilty to $4.5M in bank fraud (if link expires, try here).

Seattle Mortgage Broker Gets 18 Months In Money Laundering Conspiracy

In Washington State, The Seattle Times reports:
  • "A Seattle mortgage broker was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison Tuesday for forging documents that helped several convicted drug dealers buy homes and property with drug money. Todd Love, 50, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to engage in money laundering."

Among Love's alleged escapades were: (1) forging a $190,000 gift letter, (2) creating CPA firm letter stating that one convicted drug dealer was a property manager who hired the firm to do his taxes, (3) falsifying employment records for another convicted dealer, (4) using $50,000 of several hundred thousand dollars a third dealer gave him to invest in real estate.

For more, see Mortgage broker sentenced in money-laundering case.

Ex Mortgage Broker Steals Client's I.D., Buys $400K Home, Gets Jail Time

In Connecticut, the Hartford Courant reports:
  • "A former mortgage broker who used a client's identity to buy herself a $400,000 house in a plum Manchester neighborhood is headed to prison after her conviction Tuesday on identity theft and forgery charges. A judge in Superior Court in Hartford sentenced Elsa Joiner, 37, of Manchester, to a 12-year prison term, suspended after four years, plus five years of probation. [...] [The client] had to file a civil lawsuit to get her name removed from the mortgage."

All told, Joiner forged her client's name on 29 documents in this identity theft, mortgage fraud scam. For more, see Former Mortgage Broker Gets 4 Years In Prison.

Atlanta Mortgage Scammer Gets 9+ Years In Federal Pen

The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports:
  • "The ringleader of $4 million mortgage fraud scheme in Atlanta is heading to prison for nine years and seven months, and must pay $2.5 million in restitution. Nathan Parker, 49, of Philadelphia, was sentenced [last] Friday ... on charges of conspiracy to commit mortgage fraud and mail fraud. Parker was indicted in October 2005, and pleaded guilty to the charges in April 2007. Parker, a mortgage broker, led a scheme to defraud commercial lenders and financial institutions of more than $4 million relating to more than 20 properties. A number of people participated in the scheme, including real estate appraisers, closing attorneys, straw purchasers, straw sellers, investors, loan processors, and insiders at various verifying agencies and lenders."

For more, see Mortgage fraud leader sentenced to jail.

Mortgage Servicers Look To Overcome Perception That They Want To Foreclose On Homeowners

A press release issued by Default Servicing News announces:
  • "[T]he 2007 Five Star Default Servicing Conference and Expo will attract a record breaking 2200 professionals this year seeking industry insight. Hosted by DS News, the fourth annual conference will be held in Dallas, Texas September 9-12 at the Hilton Anatole. Lenders, servicers, attorneys, title companies, service providers and real estate agents and brokers will participate in a series of educational sessions, town halls and networking events covering every aspect of the industry -- from economic trends and fraud to titles and valuation."

For more, see Press Release - Largest Gathering of Default Servicers in the History of Residential Mortgages Takes Center Stage September 9-12 in Dallas, Texas (DS News Hosts First-Ever Town Hall Meeting to Debunk Public Misconception Lenders and Servicers Are Looking to Foreclose on Homeowners).

For another view of the mortgage servicing industry, see Michael Dillon's GetDShirtz.com.

Go here , go here , and go here for posts on questionable mortgage servicing practices. questionable mortgage servicing practices tactics zebra

Thursday, August 30, 2007

D.C. AG Files Suit Against Foreclosure Rescue Operator Metropolitan Money Store

The Washington Post reports:

  • "The D.C. attorney general filed a lawsuit yesterday against Metropolitan Money Store Corp., hoping to recover lost home equity and prevent foreclosure for city residents who dealt with the Prince George's County-based mortgage company. [...] "We have the evidence to make the case," [Washington, DC] Attorney General Linda Singer said in an interview yesterday. "Once we have proof, we're going to move forward." Singer said she was driven to file the lawsuit to keep at least 27 District residents from losing their homes. Investigators say Metropolitan promised to rescue homeowners from foreclosure but instead drained the equity from clients' homes. "We think it's an outrage," Singer said."
Reportedly, there are over a dozen defendants named, among whom are Joy Jackson and Kurt Fordham. The defendants are accused of unjustly enriching themselves in a scheme that used misrepresentations and unconscionably high fees to strip equity from the homes of the alleged victims.

The lawsuit seeks to (1) stop the homes from being foreclosed, (2) void the contract between the homeowners and the foreclosure rescue operators, (3) order restitution from the defendants, and (4) require the defendants to pay civil penalties up to $1,000 for each violation of the District's Consumer Protection Procedures Act.

For more, see District Sues Mortgage Company Based in Prince George's County (Goal Is to Help Clients Retain Equity and Homes).

Go here for other posts and links to other media reports on Metropolitan Money Store.

For cases involving the criminal prosecution of foreclosure rescue operators, see Foreclosure Rescue - For Criminal Prosecutors Only.

For more on equity stripping scams, generally, see DREAMS FORECLOSED: The Rampant Theft of Americans' Homes Through Equity-stripping Foreclosure 'Rescue' Scams (4.61 MB approx.).

Delays In Processing "Short Sales" & Lender-Owned Foreclosures Frustrating To Those Involved

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports:
  • "If you believe the infomercials promising instant wealth from distress sales, then the record number of foreclosures should mean easy pickings for investors. But real estate agents and prospective buyers say that offers on many bank-owned houses go unanswered for weeks and that closings are sometimes abruptly canceled. Sales agents blame the delays on a growing backlog of listings and on ill-prepared mortgage companies that might be hundreds of miles away and grossly understaffed. Some experts say that buyers themselves are contributing to the problem by making unrealistic offers in hopes of snagging a bargain."

In one case, one agent reported receiving four offers on one home, but that none of the prospective buyers were willing to wait for the lender to process the offer, leaving the sellers closer to foreclosure.

For more, see Foreclosures become more than some bargain for (Buyers seeking quick deals on bank-owned homes are losing out to the industry backlog) (if link expired, try here).

Investigative Reports Gives Look At How Some Foreclosure Rescue Operators Work

Two recent investigative reports by the Miami Herald gives a view of some of the tactices used by some foreclosure rescue operators when scamming unsuspecting homeowners.

1) One firm, National Foreclosure Management, obtained weekly lists of homes set for foreclosure.

2) It recruited ''field analysts'' to go door-to-door, hawking its ''home saver'' program. At its peak, more than 60 people fanned out into South Florida neighborhoods. Reportedly, one field analyst was being paid $4,000 each time a homeowner signed up.

3) Part of the program involved offering "credit counseling" and "financial-planning courses."

4) On Saturdays, the field analysts would pile into National Foreclosure's Miami Lakes office to discuss strategy and to role-play, honing their sales skills.

5) According to one former field analyst, there were people from different walks of life, including teachers teachers and police officers, seeking to make extra money in off hours.

6) In mailings to homeowners, the firm pledged to ensure ''that you regain full rights and ownership to your home.'' It offered to equip clients "with the necessary tools need[ed] to improve your financial planning skills.''

7) Once willing homeowners were found, it matched them with ''investors'' who would act as "straw buyers." These investors rarely saw the homes they were buying, but lent their names and credit for a fee, with the understanding that the original homeowner would take the home back in a year.

8) Upon consummation of a "home saver" deal, which was structured as a sale leaseback transaction with a right to buy back the home after a period of time, the operators would "strip the equity" from the home with high fees and unexplained charges that were paid from the funds.

10) In the cases reported in the investigative reports, both the financially strapped homeowners seeking help as well as the straw buyers were left holding the bag, as each thought that the other was making the payments on the new mortgage, which ended up in foreclosure.

For more, see:

Foreclosure 'rescue' deals shackle homeowners (Homeowners who accepted help to avoid foreclosure have gone to court with claims that they were stripped of equity in their homes).

$66,000 'servicing fee' gobbles much of owner's profit on sale (The buyer thought the seller was making the new mortgage payments; the seller assumed that the buyer was doing it).

Homeowner complaints are similar: false promises, hefty fees.

For Criminal Prosecutors
For cases involving the criminal prosecution of foreclosure rescue operators, see Foreclosure Rescue - For Criminal Prosecutors Only.

Foreclosure Rescue - For Criminal Prosecutors Only

(original post 8-29-07)
For criminal prosecutors who are curious about what some of your colleagues are doing around the country in going after those engaged in fraudulent equity stripping arrangements that are typically structured as sale leaseback transactions, and are generally referred to as foreclosure rescue transactions, please feel free to look over the following summary of incidents that have resulted in criminal prosecutions:

1) The U.S. Attorney's Office in Tampa, Florida tried and convicted five individuals working together in foreclosure rescue scam stemming from a federal indictment alleging a scheme to cheat homeowners out of the equity in their homes and to defraud mortgage lenders. They were convicted of multiple counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, and false statements to a federally insured lender. It also obtained a guilty plea from a sixth member of the group. For more, see U.S. Attorney Press Release (3-29-07) - Tampa Federal Jury Convicts five Persons In Home Equity/Bank Fraud Scheme. For a copy of the grand jury indictment in this case, see Indictment - U.S. vs. Moumneh, et al.

2) The U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles, California has obtained guilty pleas from four out of five members of a foreclosure rescue group that were accused of participating in a $12 million foreclosure rescue scam in which over 100 homeowners who were in default on their mortgages were promised refinancing, but ended up having their homes sold to others after the equity had been stripped. The fifth member of the group is currently awaiting trial (see 8-3-07 Findings & Order). The indictment reportedly alleged 19 counts of mail fraud and seven counts of aggravated identity theft. For more, see U.S. Attorney Press Release (7-20-06) - Three Defendants Added To Federal Indictment In Foreclosure Scam Targeting Homeowners In Default. See Stipulation To Continue Sentencing Hearing in connection with the four defendants pleading guilty - hearing set for December 17, 2007. For copy of plea agreement of one of the defendants, see Plea Agreement - U.S. v. Valenzuela.

3) The U.S. Attorney's Office in Sacramento, California obtained a guilty plea from a foreclosure rescue operator for bank fraud, and from two straw buyers for misprision of a felony in a scam where the operator admitted to a scheme in which he approached homeowners on the verge of having their homes foreclosed on by their mortgage lenders, promised to loan them money, and instead, he created documents deeding away their residential properties to the straw buyers who applied for financing from a mortgage lender, claiming falsely that they were the true owners of the properties and that there were no pending mortgages on the properties. For more, see U.S. Attorney Press Release (5-10-07) - Man Posing As Foreclosure Specialist Takes Advantage Of Homeowners To Rip Off Bank For Almost $1 Million. For a copy of the grand jury charges, see Indictment - U.S.A. vs. Christopher Craig, et al. For a copy of the plea agreement, see Plea Agreement - U.S.A. vs. Craig.

4) The U.S. Attorney's Office in Minneapolis, Minnesota obtained indictments of two individuals who were charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of mail fraud, and one count of engaging in a financial transaction with criminally derived property. Among the allegations was a scheme to defraud homeowners who were either in foreclosure or behind on their mortgage payments. Specifically, they allegedly caused homeowners to refinance their homes and then stole some or all of the equity checks produced through the refinancing process. In some instances, the defendants also allegedly used physical intimidation to force homeowners to endorse equity checks over to them. The matter is currently being prosecuted. According to documents filed this month (August 2007), one of the defendants appears to have reached a resolution with prosecutors and a Change of Plea hearing has been scheduled on her behalf. For more, see U.S. Attorney Press Release (6-21-07) - Local Mortgage Broker and Assistant Indicted for Bilking Homeowners. For a copy of the grand jury charges, see Indictment - United States vs. Fiorito & Jerde.

5) For those prosecutors interested in a case where one of your colleagues successfully convicted a foreclosure rescue operator by first, proving that a foreclosure rescue, sale leaseback transaction should be recharacterized as a secured loan, and then proving that the "interest income" on the recharacterized loan exceeded the maximum amount of interest allowed by law, see Browner v. Dist. of Columbia, 549 A.2d 1107 (D.C. 1988). This case should be of some interest to those in states that have usury statutes. See also:
6) See Criminal Prosecutions Of Foreclosure Rescue Operators for links to other cases involving your colleagues going after foreclosure rescue operators, including online media articles reporting on state court prosecutions.

Re: Metropolitan Money Store

In conclusion, I would be remiss if I didnt include a reference to a civil case currently being litigated in a Federal District Court in Maryland. The complaint, in which class action status is sought, reads a lot like a criminal indictment (ie. it uses words and phrases like, "illegal kickbacks and unearned fees", "false HUD-1s," "wire fraud" and "mail fraud", and that "the false HUD-1 Settlement statements were utilized to launder the money being paid to the RICO defendants for the purpose of evading taxes ..." etc.).

For a copy of the complaint, see Proctor, et al. v. Metropolitan Money Store, et al. - Case # 8:07-cv-01957-RWT (Does not include the 28 exhibits).

It can also be obtained by going here for direct links to the lawsuit (76 pages - $2.40) and the 28 accompanying exhibits (50+ pages - $.08/page) on the U.S. Courts' PACER website. PACER registration required.

In the alternative, you can drop me an e-mail at:

and I'll e-mail the complaint to you (sorry, no exhibits - be sure to put "Metropolitan Money Store" in the "Subject" line of the e-mail).