Mortgage

CHERRY HILL TWP., N.J. - September 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Cherry Hill Township Mayor Bernie Platt today joined New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) Executive Director Marge Della Vecchia at the Township Municipal Building, 820 Mercer Street, to announce that Cherry Hill is the newest member of the Live Where You Work Program.

SACRAMENTO, CA - September 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- United States Attorney Lawrence G. Brown announced today that a criminal complaint was filed this morning charging IRENE SOTIRIADIS, 23, and HELEN SOTIRIADIS, 49, both of Manteca, with conducting a mortgage fraud scheme from March 2006 through November 2007 that caused losses to lenders estimated at approximately $5 million. Arrest warrants were issued Sunday afternoon by United States Magistrate Judge Gregory G. Hollows after a special agent of the FBI received information that the two suspects may have been intending to flee to Greece.

Atlanta, GA - September 22, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- On September 21, 2009, an Order to Cease and Desist issued by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (“Department”) to Atlanta Home Modification Services, LLC d/b/a Atlanta Home Mods located at 1588 Atkinson Road, Suite 106, Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30043 became final.This Order to Cease and Desist was issued by the Department after it obtained evidence that Atlanta Home Modification Services, LLC d/b/a Atlanta Home Mods engaged in residential mortgage brokering activities without a license or under an applicable exemption in violation of O.C.G.A. § 7-1-1002.

Salem, OR - September 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Starting next week, Oregonians will have a chance to help shape how Oregon Housing and Community Services implements funding received from House Bill 2436 at public forums held throughout the state.

NEW YORK, NY - September 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- "nyhomes," New York State's affordable housing lender, today announced "Day 1"--a new program to offer credit enhancement on construction loans that finance renovations of affordable multifamily properties.

COLUMBUS, OH - September 14, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Charles E. Townsend, 39, of Columbus pleaded guilty in United States District Court here to one count of money laundering in connection with his involvement in a mortgage fraud scheme that exaggerated property values to out of state investors in order to secure funding for the purchase of properties in primarily low income neighborhoods in Columbus.

Albany, NY - September 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Benjamin Osmanson, 30, of California and Sarita, Texas, pleaded guilty yesterday to three counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering related to his scheme to defraud mortgage lenders by submitting false loan applications in the names of “investors.” Osmanson was arrested in October 2008 in Texas.

Albany, NY - September 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Benjamin Osmanson, 30, of California and Sarita, Texas, pleaded guilty yesterday to three counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering related to his scheme to defraud mortgage lenders by submitting false loan applications in the names of “investors.” Osmanson was arrested in October 2008 in Texas.

Professional & Financial Regulation - Financial Institutions. September 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Superintendent Lloyd P. LaFountain, III announced this week that recently completed analysis by the Bureau of Financial Institutions of second quarter 2009 data submitted by Maine-chartered banks and credit unions shows a continuing modest increase in home foreclosures in Maine.

September 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Chief Justice Leigh I. Saufley announced that on September 23, 2009 the York County Pilot Project of the Foreclosure Diversion Program will hold its first informational session for homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure. The York County Pilot Project and the Foreclosure Diversion Program are the result of the recently enacted P.L. 2009, ch. 402, An Act To Preserve Home Ownership and Stabilize the Economy by Preventing Unnecessary Foreclosures. In accordance with the new law, the Supreme Judicial Court will establish a statewide program to provide mediation services in certain residential foreclosure actions in Maine. Although the Act requires that the mediation program be available statewide in 2010, the Court launched the Pilot Project on August 3, 2009, in York County to gain a better understanding before the Diversion Program is offered throughout the State. This first informational session will be held at the District Court in Springvale

Atlanta, GA - September 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- On September 18, 2009, an Order to Cease and Desist issued by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (“Department”) to US Mortgage Funding, Inc. d/b/a www.usmortgagefunding.org, located at 951 Broken Sound Parkway, #200, Boca Raton, Florida, became final.This Order to Cease and Desist was issued by the Department after it obtained evidence that US Mortgage Funding, Inc. d/b/a www.usmortgagefunding.org engaged in residential mortgage brokering/lending activities without a license or under an applicable exemption.

September 21, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Homeowners were invited to attend a free, comprehensive Foreclosure Counseling Fair on Saturday, September 12, to learn about foreclosure prevention and homeownership preservation. The event took place at Jordan High School on Atlantic Avenue near Artesia Boulevard in North Long Beach from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Registration began at 9:00 am; however, homeowners started lining up at 7:30 am.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 15, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. House of Representatives today unanimously approved bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman John Adler (D-NJ) and Congressman Chris Lee (R-NY) to modernize the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). H.R. 3146, the 21st Century FHA Housing Act of 2009, would provide the FHA with the tools it [...]

OLYMPIA, WA - September 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna fears a rise in scam victims as struggling homeowners trying to tap legitimate payment relief programs are simultaneously solicited by charlatans.

HARRISBURG, PA - September 11, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Details of a new, national accreditation program for state mortgage regulators will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on September 12, allowing for its adoption by other states.

LANSING, MI - September 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) --Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that Michigan residents victimized by foreclosure fraud schemes can receive refunds as a result of charges filed against SaveMyHome USA, Payment Doctors and the Michigan Economic Reinstatement Program. The companies were held accountable after an undercover investigation by the Attorney General's office discovered that the companies' representatives made misleading statements and charged borrowers upfront fees in violation of the Michigan Credit Services Protection Act

LANSING, MI - September 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- The Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) has revoked the mortgage license of Grand Blanc-based Freedom Financial Mortgage Lending, LLC for violating the state’s Mortgage Brokers, Lenders and Servicers Licensing Act. Freedom Financial failed to comply with OFIR’s license renewal process and failed to cooperate with the agency while OFIR staff attempted to conduct an examination.

Washington, D.C. - September 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard met this morning with Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, other senior Obama Administration officials and 11 other state Attorneys General to coordinate proactive strategies and strengthen efforts to fight consumer fraud in the housing markets

Jefferson City, MO - September 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) --Attorney General Chris Koster will meet with both Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner and Attorney General Eric Holder in Washington, D.C., tomorrow to discuss Missouri's efforts to pursue businesses engaged in mortgage fraud. Geithner and Holder invited Koster and several other Attorneys General from around the nation to meet with them to discuss the problem and possible solutions. Also present at Thursday's meeting will be HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and FTC Chair Jon Liebowitz.

Op-ed by Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) and Ken Wade, Chief Executive Officer, NeighborWorks® America. September 16, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- A new wave of fraud is ripping homes out from under people who are stressed, desperate and facing foreclosure. The signs are literally nailed to posts and supermarket bulletin boards everywhere. They are advertised on television and on the internet: Refinance Your Mortgage; Facing Foreclosure? Modify Your Loan; Consolidate Your Debt, Refinance: Zero Down.

JACKSON, MS - September 11, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- United States Attorney Stan Harris, Federal Bureau of Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen F. Gomez, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Thomas C. McDade, and Madison/Rankin County District Attorney Michael Guest announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a six count indictment against Earline Y. Rawls in connection with a fraudulent mortgage loan scheme. The indictment charges Rawls with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and six counts of bank fraud.

Los Angeles, CA - September 11, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Continuing his fight against mortgage scams, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that agents from his office have arrested Michael McConville, and two of his associates for their roles in a "criminal conspiracy" to steal nearly $1 million from borrowers seeking to refinance their homes

Los Angeles, CA - September 11, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Continuing his fight against mortgage scams, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that agents from his office have arrested Michael McConville, and two of his associates for their roles in a "criminal conspiracy" to steal nearly $1 million from borrowers seeking to refinance their homes