Barney Frank vs. Bill O'Reilly Over Financial Crisis
To view the video, see O'Reilly v. Frank Over Financial Crisis.
For the story from The Boston Globe, see Barney Frank battles Fox News, then oversees passage of bailout bill.
Welcome to The Home Equity Theft Reporter, a blog dedicated to informing the consumer public and the legal profession about Home Equity Theft issues. This blog will consist of information describing the various forms of Home Equity Theft and links to news reports & other informational sources from throughout the country about the victims of Home Equity Theft and what government authorities and others are doing about it.
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For more, see U.S. Attorney press release (2nd case summary: United States v. Sergej Tews).
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For the story, see Foreclosure mediation in Sandusky County may save homes.
Go here for the Ohio Supreme Court's 11-Step Foreclosure Mediation Program Model.
For more, see This foreclosure was forged in Trenton.
For the story, see Shell Game: Seven Neighbors, 11 Foreclosures, and More Than a Million Dollars' Profit in One Baltimore Neighborhood.
Source: Abandoned dogs: Valley real estate agents to the rescue.
For more, see Cape Coral crews barricade abandoned pools (Move at city expense is to protect children).
See also, WBBH-TV Channel 2: City paying to protect pools ForeclosuresDestroyNeighborhoodsApple
For more, see 90-year-old foreclosure victim apparently shoots self (Woman in hospital with wounds to chest).
See also, Kucinich mentions Akron woman's plight during House bailout debate.
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For story update, see CNN: Fannie Mae forgives loan for woman who shot herself:
See also, Akron Beacon Journal: Akron woman's foreclosure gets U.S. response (Kucinich takes plight of owner who shot herself to Congress; Fannie Mae forgives mortgage).
Go here for other posts on police incidents at foreclosed homes. SheriffDeputiesForeclosureAlpha
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For more, see Dealing With Debt That Refuses to Die (Court Ruling Requires Credit Bureaus To Wipe Away Bills Incurred Before Bankruptcy; Getting a New Report). zeta
For the story, see Jax Legal Aid gets $200,000 to Fight Foreclosures.
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For the story, see Resident awaits sentencing in foreclosure scam.
Go here for earlier posts and any available updates on this foreclosure scam.
For more, see Beware the Foreclosure Allure (Redbrick's Model of Scattered Bets Is Cautionary Tale).
For more, see Judge hands 10-year sentence for foreclosure scam.
For the original indictment, see U.S. vs. McDowall, et al.
Go here for other posts on foreclosure rescue operator Maurice McDowall.
Go here for other criminal prosecutions of foreclosure rescue operators.
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.).
For the story, see Woman pleads guilty to wire fraud.
For the Maryland U.S. Attorney's press release, see Settlement Officer Pleads Guilty to Diverting Funds Intended to Pay off Mortgage Lenders (Stole Almost $1 Million in Three Months).
Go here, Go here, and Go here for other stories of trust account / escrow account theft of funds. sneaky slick escrow agents gamma
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For more, see Attorney General Cuomo Announces Arrest Of Home Improvement Contractor For Scamming Western New York Senior Out Of More Than $80,000 (88 year-old widow pressured into writing more than 70 checks over seven months ~ Outside experts describe work as ‘grossly substandard’).
According to this press release, since January 1, 2007 the Attorney General’s Office has mediated more than 1550 complaints against contractors resulting in restitution of more than $800,000 to consumers.
For other posts on homeowners left in the lurch due to actions by builders/contractors, go here, go here, and go here.
Go here for other posts on other home improvement contractors hammered by the NY AG. Cuomo hammers contractors contractors stiff subs customers yelbow Cuomo hammers contractors
For more, see Foreclosure Surge Affecting HOA Residents in Orange County.
See also, The Orange County Register: Foreclosures put county's HOAs in financial bind (Mortgage meltdowns have cut into homeowner association budgets, prompting fee hikes and delays in repairs).
Source: Dealing With Debt That Refuses to Die (Court Ruling Requires Credit Bureaus To Wipe Away Bills Incurred Before Bankruptcy; Getting a New Report).
Go here for other posts on zombie debt. zeta
For more, see Madigan Sues Pennsylvania Company For Mortgage Rescue Fraud (Company Preys On Illinois Homeowners Facing Foreclosure).
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For more, see Pair indicted in mortgage fraud.
From the Arizona Attorney General's Office;
For more, see Report: Foreclosure rescue efforts fall short.
(1) Reportedly, The State Foreclosure Working Group has representatives of the attorneys general of 11 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas. The panel also has representatives from banking departments in New York and North Carolina, as well as from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors. MortgageServicingIssuesAlpha
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Attempts to grow grass by seeding the vacant lots were foiled by hungry birds, according to the story.
For more, see Vacant lots anger Ranch residents.
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For more, see Meridian builders accused of fraud (Complaints say Justin Walker and his partner misused construction funds and Walker has hidden assets from the Bankruptcy Court).
For the story, see Man faces contractor fraud, animal cruelty charges.
For the Florida AG's press release, see Attorney General Announces New Laws Taking Effect October 1.
For more, see Mortgage fraud sentencing illustrates anything-goes lending environment.
(1) According to the story, Zwego was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison and was slapped with an additional three years for violating probation on his bank fraud conviction. He was also ordered to pay $5.6 million in restitution.
For more, see Warren man, Union woman sentenced for roles in forgery scheme.
For the Mass AG's press release, see Quincy Attorney Pleads Guilty, Sentenced on Charges of Insurance Fraud, Larceny, Forgery, Embezzlement and Other Charges.
Go here, Go here, and Go here for other stories of trust account / escrow account theft of funds. sneaky slick escrow agents gamma
Source: Builder's fraud case one of many in county system.
For other posts on builders/contractors allegedly stiffing their customers, go here, go here, and go here. contractors stiff subs customers yelbow
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For more, see State, mortgage broker settle suit.
For the original lawsuit filed by the Ohio AG, see State of Ohio v. Ace Mortgage Funding, LLC.
Justice Schack makes this observation on Ms. Rotundo's apparent knack to freely move from mortgage company employer to mortgage company employer, as the need appears to demand:
For the rest of Justice Schack's opinion in this case, see HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v Charlevagne, 2008 NY Slip Op 51652(U) [20 Misc 3d 1128(A)]; Decided on August 4, 2008.
For another recent case in which Justice Schack finds himself wrestling with the employment status of another ostensibly omnipresent bank executive, a certain Scott Anderson, see HSBC Bank USA v Antrobus, 2008 NY Slip Op 51639(U) [20 Misc 3d 1127(A)]; Decided on July 31, 2008.
Go here for list of links to over thirty of Justice Schack's decisions denying foreclosure to mortgage companies for failure to establish legal standing to bring the legal action. multiple hat-wearing
For more, see Considering a short sale? Foreclosure might be a better choice, Realtor says.