Mortgage Executives to Plead Not Guilty

By Mike Colpitts Three top executives formerly with the second largest U.S. mortgage company charged by the SEC with hiding their company’s deteriorating financial condition from investors as the firm was failing will plead not guilty to federal charges, according to an attorney for one of the accused executives. The SEC charged Thornburg Mortgage Inc.… Continue reading Mortgage Executives to Plead Not Guilty

Pennsylvania Lender to Pay $3.9 Million Fine

A Pennsylvania mortgage lender has agreed to pay a fine of $3.9 million to settle a lawsuit for lying to federal mortgage officials. The suit was filed in the Central District of California, alleging that officials of Capmark Finance LLC of Horsham, Pennsylvania made a series of false statements in connection with two nursing home… Continue reading Pennsylvania Lender to Pay $3.9 Million Fine

Homeowners Receive Short Sale Cooperation

By Mike Colpitts Homeowners are receiving cooperation from banks and mortgage lenders to sell their unaffordable homes as short sales at higher levels. The increase in short sales is being driven by investors calling for banks to cut their losses, resulting in a reduction of homeowners walking away from their home mortgages. Scam artists preying… Continue reading Homeowners Receive Short Sale Cooperation

Bank of America Settles Largest Mortgage False Claims Case

By Kevin Chiu The nation’s largest bank has settled the biggest mortgage false claims case with the U.S. government in history. Bank of America will pay $1-billion to resolve wrongdoing uncovered by the U.S. Justice Department in mortgage lending by loan officers operating for Countrywide Mortgage, which BofA acquired at the height of the financial… Continue reading Bank of America Settles Largest Mortgage False Claims Case

Three Mortgage Officers Sentenced to Federal Prison

By Mike Colpitts Three mortgage officers and a title agent have been sentenced to federal prison for their parts in a nationwide reverse mortgage fraud scheme that lasted nearly a year, and took advantage of dozens of senior citizens, taking in more than $2.5-million. Louis Gendason, 42, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison… Continue reading Three Mortgage Officers Sentenced to Federal Prison

Timeshare Bill Proposed to Reduce Fraud

By Kevin Chiu A state bill proposed to reduce fraud in timeshare resales has made it through the Florida state senate and could be the first law enacted in the U.S. intended to eliminate one of the oldest lies in real estate. Florida’s Timeshare Resale Accountability Act, also known as SB 1408, sponsored by Senator… Continue reading Timeshare Bill Proposed to Reduce Fraud

Real Estate Investment Fund President Pleads Guilty

By Mike Colpitts The organizer and former president of a real estate investment fund pled guilty to defrauding investors in nearly a $10-million scam of two large apartment complexes and his investment fund. The plea could result in as long as 30 years in prison for the former funds president. Thomas B. Evans, 47, of… Continue reading Real Estate Investment Fund President Pleads Guilty

SEC Charges Bank CEO with Misleading Investors

By Mike Colpitts Almost five years after the housing market collapse, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged a bank CEO with misleading investors about growing problems over its real estate loan portfolio. The SEC said BankAtlantic Bancorp CEO Alan Levan made misleading statements in public filings and earnings calls in order to hide the… Continue reading SEC Charges Bank CEO with Misleading Investors

Real Estate Sales Manager Indicted on Federal Bribery Charges

By Mike Colpitts The former real estate sales manager of a property management company and two fellow workers were indicted by a U.S. grand jury in connection with a housing repair scheme for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The 10-count indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Rockford, Illinois against Ryan J.… Continue reading Real Estate Sales Manager Indicted on Federal Bribery Charges

Attorney General Moves to Recover Homeowner Damages

By Kevin Chiu Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is going after foreclosure attorney David J. Stern in state court in an aggressive effort to speed up the court case against the foreclosure kingpin. The state’s top prosecutor has filed a motion asking the Fourth District Court of Appeal to certify a decision that makes a… Continue reading Attorney General Moves to Recover Homeowner Damages