Social Apocalypse

The Face of Evil: Northwest Trustee Services-The West's "David J. Stern"

It seems Northwest Trustee Services and their “sister” lawfirm Routh Crabtree Olsen (RCO for those in the know – perhaps our own little David Stern,  our own little mill?),  was singing about how happy they are because they are bullish on the destruction of hearth and home throughout their little empire of the Inter-mountain West,  Alaska and Hawaii.  In it,  Stephen Routh,  exclaims “There’s misery coming” and then spends the rest of the article bragging about how he intends to make $erious hay from bringing it to a community near you.  You can almost hear his hands rubbing with glee as he counts the money he will make from providing ALL the services a foreclosing party might wish to utilize from substitute trustee services,  to law firm services,  process service,  rental and property management to the main thrust of the story,  how he is buying up small community newspapers so he can pocket the money currently being spent in newspaper advertisements.  Can’t leave a trick on the table,  doncha know?  It seems there is money in Mi$ery.

Needless to say,  it has caused a fair amount of outrage in the title defense community up here.  All of us know RCO,  or rather,  wish we didn’t.  They really are nasty people.  They appear to file false documents with impunity,  quickly invoke the ‘Free House’ whine,  and,  in the collective experience of those who have had the misfortune to deal with them,  generally represent the nastiest of all nasty stereotypes you can think of about lawyers.

via blog.chinkinthearmor.net

The level of sliminess that this little menage' exudes is untold. We are continually DUMBFOUNDED that this level of immoral business is conducted in NINE STATES and counting and RIGHT IN THE FACE of Regulators. Here, after a BIG story in Oregon's biggest newspaper, The Oregonian, Stephen Routh displays his monumental ARROGANCE that his genius is unstoppable.
Article here: http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/01/northwest_trustee_squeezes_mor.html

It definitely brings memories of the outrageous antics of our favorite villain, David J. Stern. I have my own GLEE when I recall his downfall... I would love to feel that glee again.

Non-Judicial States have their own hell in the foreclosure mess, complete snow-blowing over the courts, in a hushed, behind-the-curtain manner.

Washington State SB 6199 bill would make filing false statement by beneficiary a FELONY! - Foreclosure Hamlet

Hello, Foreclosure Fighters!

 

Now, more than ever, we need your help!  I have achieved getting SB 6199 into a bill, but I need your help in getting it passed into LAW!  Please help me do so.

 

This bill, SB 6199, would make filing a false Declaration of Ownership a FELONY!  This would do to Washington what has happened in Nevada and make foreclosures stop.  The banking lobby is fighting hard against this, as you can imagine.  But, with YOUR help, we can stop them.

 

Please call/write/email your Washington State Senator/Representative and tell them to stop foreclosures in Washington State.  Tell them to support SB 6199!

 

Please find your State Senator here:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

 

The toll-free number to call is 800-562-6000

 

This is the one thing we can do for our state.  Let's do this.

via www.foreclosurehamlet.org

WAY TO GO KAREN! THIS IS OUTSTANDING! WASHINGTONIANS, I URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND STATE REPS REGARDING THIS BILL. FORECLOSURES WILL NECESSARILY ALMOST COME TO A HALT IN THIS STATE IF WE CAN GET THIS BILL PASSED.
As Martin Mandelman commented: can we all agree that offering fraudulent documents and records into our courts can NOT be a solution to the housing problem.

Western Foreclosure Mills, You'll Soon Get YOUR Headlines Too: INVESTORS ADMIT CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE AT STERN LAW FIRM

what will emerge is a fact pattern that shows that ALL of the foreclosure mills were operating in the same way because all of them were essentially renting their law license to the Banks who were covering up the securitization scam, to wit: that the securitization that was documented was never followed, that the money trail does not conform to the documents, and that the liens were never perfected and were therefore not subject to foreclosure because they were unsecured.

via livinglies.wordpress.com

Neil Garfield accurately describes the true impact that this Stern case will have, and I read it with great satisfaction. Those of us in the Western States who are the victims of NON-judicial foreclosure shenanigans will have our day in the headlines as well. The non-judicial foreclosure mill behemoths can only run for so long... they cannot hide.

We have been preparing for this for a long, long time. We are ecstatic at the clearly LANDSLIDE change in the perception by our local judges here in the West as the lights are coming on and the cockroaches are scurrying. Just as long-brainwashed prisoners of war come out into the light, our judges are learning that Yes, Virginia, these foreclosure mills are CRIMINALLY FRAUDULENT and have been WILLFULLY, KNOWINGLY, LYING TO OUR COURTS.

SOME of us did our homework. SOME of us refused to swallow the fraud, kept EVERYTHING and have ALL of the details that clearly outline the scam-circus. The heretofore arrogance of the foreclosure mills that they were just TOO CLEVER to be caught with their dirty hands in the cookie jar will be obliterated with the glaring light of truth and justice as finally the FACTS PREVAIL.

See you in court my friends. See you in court. Integrity is something you get ONE SHOT AT. You lose, buh bye.

Washington State Sen. Cantwell demands DOJ investigate foreclosure fraud before a settlement

By Matt Browner Hamlin, www.americablog.com


Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued a blistering letter calling on the Department of Justice to investigate big banks for fraudulent foreclosure practices before agreeing to any settlement deal which would grant them immunity for these practices. In her letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, Cantwell writes:

I am concerned that recently reported settlement proposals will effectively absolve these financial institutions of substantial civil and criminal liability in one of the largest alleged fraud schemes during the financial crisis. Specifically, I am concerned that the proposed settlement includes a release from liability that may be far too sweeping, does not adequately compensate victims, does not require enough of banks to reform the system that led to the crisis in the first place, and is being made before all the facts are known and without the backing of a full inquiry into the size and scope of the alleged fraud.

...
Without a thorough investigation, it is impossible to truly estimate just how pervasive the defects in the foreclosure and securitization process are. Continued reports of wrongful foreclosures, forged documents, and an inability of servicers and banks to prove chain of title and the legal right to foreclosure, raises the very alarming possibility that these defects were endemic to the mortgage servicing industry across the country. The sheer magnitude of the potential fallout from these defects demands that we undertake a full investigation to uncover the true scope of wrongdoing before providing blanket immunity to the perpetrators.

I am also concerned that reports of a settlement in the range of $20 billion, as recently reported, may not adequately compensate the victims of the foreclosure crisis. As a result of the pump-and-dump scheme perpetrated by the nation’s largest banks that inflated – and burst – the housing bubble, an estimated 14 million Americans are underwater, owing $700 billion more on their homes than those homes are worth. A $20 billion settlement is woefully inadequate to compensate the wrongfully evicted or homeowners struggling to stay in their homes. Much more should be required of banks to provide meaningful help underwater homeowners and compensate foreclosure fraud victims.

Boom goes the dynamite.

Washington is an important state in the context of the foreclosure crisis and the ongoing settlement talks between AGs and banks. Washington's Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna is running for governor and has long been viewed as being a potential get for people trying to stop a bad deal. McKenna's Democratic opponent in the gubernatorial race is Congressman Jay Inslee. Inslee has made stopping a bad settlement a major campaign issue and is collecting signatures on a petition against the rumored deal. Inslee is trying to wedge McKenna - either by making him look like a tool of the banksters or forcing him to do the right thing and help his constituents who were defrauded of their homes by the banks. It looks like Cantwell is aiding Inslee in that squeeze play, but the politics are really secondary to the potential outcome. Simultaneously, we are seeing another major politician standing up to the banks and demanding a halt to the consideration of a bad settlement deal. This is a very good thing.

Are Remotely-Processed Mortgage Assignments Another Smoking Gun?

Robosigning is not a victimless crime. The reason we have careful, document-intensive processes for handling real property is that it is the foundation of a nation’s wealth. A home is most families’ biggest asset. The practice of having independent parties verify the validity of signatures dates back to the 1677 Statute of Frauds. It was implemented because the lax evidentiary standards of the early 1600s allowed rich people to hire experts who would swear falsely in court about the ownership of property. The result was court-sanctioned theft and rising disorder.

via www.nakedcapitalism.com

An OUTSTANDING article displaying the RIDICULOUS notion that the trail of fraud in the mortgage assignment chains is anything but smoke and mirrors. This is an EASY read, even for those who are just now starting to grapple with the enormity of the heist that has occurred against American Homeowners.

This is NOT about who is or is NOT current on their mortgage. It is about BROKEN CHAINS OF TITLE on MOST mortgages!! Think you are fine because your payments are current? Wait till you try to refi or sell your home... THEN you will see why everyone is squawking.

TILA RESCISSION MAKING COMEBACK AND BANKS ARE FIGHTING TOOTH AND NAIL « Livinglies's Weblog

TILA RESCISSION has come to nothing — until now. The Federal Law is clear. “I hereby rescind” is enough to cancel the contract. After that the contract  is over, there is no arbitration clause, and there is no security interest. The “lender” must send the note back cancelled and if they have filed or recorded a security interest, like a mortgage, they must release it by filing a release and reconveyance or a satisfaction of mortgage.

via livinglies.wordpress.com

Now let’s talk about the ***PENALTY*** for NOT RESPONDING to the rescission, because rarely does anyone talk about this IMPORTANT PIECE.
This is what happens 98% of the time (and did with OUR rescission MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO!). The lender will “deny your rescission” via a curt letter. THIS IS A NON-RESPONSE and not allowed under the law. They have NO AUTHORITY over whether or not you can rescind!!! ONLY THE COURT DOES. We are STILL in litigation over the fact that they CANNOT FORECLOSE WHEN THE NOTE IS VOID UPON RESCISSION. ***THEY HAVE NO STANDING.***
There is copious case law which states that when the lender does not respond timely to the rescission (within 20 days) they will FORFEIT any right to tender. This is logical, as otherwise THERE WOULD BE NO INCENTIVE TO RESPOND TO THE RESCISSION within 20 days! For a lender to ignore a rescission, put a borrower through the HORROR of years of litigation and all of the expense, arriving at the final decision of the court that the rescission WAS VALID, and then cry that they are entitled to TENDER just as though they did everything right… is plainly UNCONSCIONABLE and rewards them for their vile behavior.
When the lender fails to respond to the rescission, it does not change the fact that the note is IMMEDIATELY VOIDED UPON RESCISSION. They are now trying to collect an UNSECURED DEBT (usually in a foreclosure action) and therefore are NOW SUBJECT TO WRONGFUL DEBT COLLECTION PENALTIES PER THE FDCPA.
***FDCPA STATES TREBLE DAMAGES FRIENDS.***
We’ll keep you posted… but our rescission was carefully and perfectly executed, and there is NOTHING that they can do to say otherwise. Their opportunity to contest the rescission was within the 20 days following it via declaratory action. That window of opportunity has closed, and they no longer retain any rights as a “LENDER”.
Now they will face severe damages and fines for what they have (and are) putting us through. Every phone call, every statement, every debt collection, public advertising of debt owed, threatening to take our house they do not have a note for, and other false claims, all are illegal per FDCPA. It’s time to END this terrorism. THANK GOD the courts are FINALLY starting to see behind the curtain of greed.
RESCIND YOUR FRAUDULENT MORTGAGE NOW!!!

Steven J. Baum: Would you like some CHEESE with your WHINE? Sorry, but America does NOT feel sorry for you! Thank YOU JOE NOCERA!!

“Mr. Nocera — You have destroyed everything and everyone related to Steven J. Baum PC. It took 40 years to build this firm and three weeks to tear down.”

Earl Wilson/The New York Times

Joe Nocera

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Joe Nocera: What the Costumes Reveal (October 29, 2011)

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Thus began a lengthy e-mail that I received, on Thursday evening, from Steven J. Baum, the owner of his eponymous law firm, the largest “foreclosure mill” in New York State. Foreclosure mills, of course, are firms that represent banks and servicers trying to foreclose on the millions of homeowners who have defaulted since the housing bubble burst.

via www.nytimes.com

This article by Joe Nocera was particularly sweet to behold. I read it twice, just to feel that lovely glow again: An UGLY foreclosure mill gets destroyed by JUSTICE. We don't see enough of it, so when it happens, it's relished. Thank you Joe Nocera for sharing it with the nation. It gives us all a little hope that if we live long enough, we will see some justice.

Maybe we should all stage a nice Halloween party where we all dress up like the soon-to-be unemployed Steven J. Baum employees. It would actually look a LOT like the one they had there at their firm with our homeless signs... Ah the sweet irony. I hope they kept their costumes, they can reuse them now, FOR REAL.

Hermann Goering Prophecy: Chilling

KABOOOM! MERS Sued by Delaware Attorney General

KABOOM | Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS) Sued by Delaware Attorney General

Posted by 4closureFraud on October 27, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

MERS Mortgage Registry Sued by Delaware Attorney General

Oct. 27 (Bloomberg) — The Delaware attorney general’s office sued Merscorp Inc., which runs a national mortgage registry used by banks, saying its practices are deceptive and hide information from borrowers.

The MERS database, which tracks ownership interests in mortgages, obscures information from borrowers and impeded their ability to fight foreclosures, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden said in a complaint filed today.

“MERS engaged and continues to engage in a range of deceptive trade practices that sow confusion among consumers, investors and other stakeholders in the mortgage finance system, damage the integrity of Delaware’s land records, and lead to unlawful foreclosure practices,” Biden said.

MERS tracks servicing rights and ownership interests in mortgage loans on its electronic registry, allowing banks to buy and sell loans without recording transfers with individual counties. MERS acts as the lender’s nominee and remains the mortgagee of record as long as the note promising repayment is owned by a MERS member.

Banks and investors have the true economic interests in the loans, and the ownership of the mortgage notes is purportedly recorded in the MERS registry, to which the public has limited access, according to Biden. Biden said the system is “frequently inaccurate.”

More Here: 4closurefraud.org

WOO HOO! NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SOME GOOD NEWS!

THIS IS HUUUUUUGE!

I have been harping for a longggg time about what would happen if the privately-owned (and doctored) land records inside of MERS suddenly DISAPPEARED. IT WOULD MEAN FREE HOUSES FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS MERS IN THEIR CHAIN OF TITLE.

MERS is now caught in it's OWN trap... It will be FORCED to turn over ALLLLL of it's hocus pocus via subpoena, and in so doing, will expose SO MUCH FRAUD that the banksters will cower in horror under their covers.

SOMEONE will blow up the joint first! AND SO WILL GO MOST OF THE LAND RECORDS IN THIS NATION.

This is EXACTLY WHY you cannot entrust our land records to a PRIVATE COMPANY.

But they thought everything would be JUST FINE.

Keep sending your mortgage payment to some fat cats whom you DON'T OWE A DIME TO.

Wow, great news. I prayed that I would live long enough to see it.

The People Have Spoken: America Is On FIRE!

It is getting to be monotonous:

The "Occupiers" don't have any "DEMANDS".
or
They are a bunch of hippies with no jobs.
or
People always want something for nothing.

Let me be extremely clear:
When a bunch of people don't have a designated "leader", no formal "Organization" and "Spokesperson", how could you possibly expect them to have "Demands" ??

One message that has been consistent and clear from the #OccupyWallStreet movement from DAY ONE (in fact BEFORE day one) is that they are LEADERLESS.  They are not a TRIBE of people with a cause.  They (WE) are a collection of AVERAGE AMERICANS (JUST LIKE YOU) with the courage and conscience to step outside of our normal lives to convene with each other with a common interest, which is: WE KNOW WHAT WE DON'T WANT, BUT WE KEEP GETTING IT, AND THINK IT'S NEVER GOING TO STOP UNLESS WE INTERVENE. It's not like we haven't waited YEARS for our government to act, at our own peril...

It's actually quite simple.

Instead of thinking of them as a group, think of them as what happens when a building catches on fire in your neighborhood: All the neighbors run out into the street to contribute to:

• Seeing and understanding the problem
• Trying to help if possible
• Comforting each other
• Learning from it so it won't happen again
• Being there to contribute to making it better, even if they don't know exactly what will be needed

THAT is what #OccupyWallStreet is. It's you and I and everyone around us.  

Our nation IS ON FIRE!

We have come out of our houses and gathered in the street for THE SAME REASONS.

We should not be expected to know what to do, after all, we are NOT FIREFIGHTERS! But the fire is burning, and the firefighters are NOT EVEN ATTEMPTING to put it out, and there is STRONG INDICATIONS that they are making money from burning buildings and are spraying gasoline on it.

• We don't hate Wall Street, we hate what it has become. 
• We don't hate Capitalism for it's TRUE meaning, which is work hard and get rich, I hope I am rich too some day, but I won't get that way by stealing and committing felonies and destroying my beloved country and impoverishing the majority of it's citizens. People have actually gotten RICH while enriching OTHERS TOO, like Steve Jobs. Corporations are NOT the enemy. Our Government is corrupted, and we must fix it.
• Read this: Click Here

It's not hard.
It's not a CULT.
It's not weirdos, or anarchists, or anything like that.

It's AMERICAN HISTORY, and if you don't understand what freedom of speech is, or protest rights, or public dissent, then you were sleeping in history class. Believe me, you don't WANT to live in a country where the Police make their own rules to suit their own needs at any given time... and yet, we are witnessing just this sort of horrifying behavior, and NOTHING is being done about it.  In America, when corruption takes over the government, our predecessors provided relief in our constitution to protect our country from just such an attack: The power of the people to take back their government, and PROTEST and CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE is how it is done. 

Don't think of "Civil Disobedience" as being lawless or riotous.  Think of it as "Questioning Authority" when our elected authority is acting... well, QUESTIONABLY!!  It does not mean "throwing bottles through windows" or breaking things or committing crimes.

The Occupiers HAVE BEEN PEACEFUL.  Look upon what you are seeing with unprejudiced eyes: WHO is being violent? WHO is being illegal?  You will not like what you see.  Ask yourself: IF I DID agree with what they were doing, would I concur that their rights as Americans are being respected.  That will be the start of your awakening, and you will come to understand EXACTLY why so many respected people have joined us.  

If you are ignorant, learn.
If you are too arrogant to believe you could EVER be ignorant or wrong, then you share a trait that the majority of 1% of our population has: they think they are BETTER than the person standing next to them.
What a shame.

But don't worry, we will save you too, though, because that is what Americans do.

Peace.