Friday, March 25, 2011
HTC Imagio
I want one of those scanner vtag apps for my phone. Is there one out there? Can anyone help?
Ex-lawyer gets jail in bankruptcy fraud
A former Wakefield, Mass., lawyer was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for failing to disclose winning lottery tickets he had purchased to a bankruptcy trustee and for filing a false tax return.
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2011/03/22/ex-lawyer-gets-jail-in-bankruptcy-fraud.html?ana=RSS&s=article_search&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bizj_boston+%28Boston+Business+Journal%29#
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2011/03/22/ex-lawyer-gets-jail-in-bankruptcy-fraud.html?ana=RSS&s=article_search&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bizj_boston+%28Boston+Business+Journal%29#
Judges get Salary Cut
The Florida House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee has targeted state judges for an 8 percent salary cut and plans to reduce their judicial assistant staffing by one-quarter..
Fannie Report Warned of Foreclosure Problems in 2006
Fannie Mae was warned in a 2006 internal report of abuses in the way lenders and their law firms handled foreclosures long before regulators launched investigations into the mortgage industry's practices, The Wall Street Journal reported today. The report said foreclosure attorneys in Florida had "routinely made" false statements in court in an effort to more quickly process foreclosures and raised questions about whether some mortgage servicers or another entity had the legal standing to foreclose. The report found no evidence that borrowers were improperly placed in foreclosure. State and federal officials are seeking to establish new rules for the industry. The report could add ammunition to those calling for stronger regulation of mortgage servicers. Elizabeth Warren, the White House adviser in charge of establishing the new Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, said in congressional testimony last week that with proper oversight, "the problems in mortgage servicing would have been exposed early and fixed while they were still small." Fannie Mae hired Baker & Hostetler LLP to investigate potential mortgage-servicing abuses after a Fannie shareholder raised concerns to Fannie five years ago about the industry's practices. The report raised red flags that have roiled the industry, including improper legal filings by foreclosure attorneys and questionable practices surrounding the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems.
Freddie Mac Bars Foreclosure Actions in the Name of MERS
https://www.efanniemae.com/sf/guides/ssg/annltrs/pdf/2010/svc1005.pdfhttp://www.freddiemac.com/sell/guide/bulletins/pdf/bll1105.pdf
Freddie Mac issued new policy guidelines to its servicers this week that prohibit foreclosures in the name of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. (MERS). Fannie did this awhile ago.
MERS was developed by the industry to keep track of the servicing rights on home loans. It was designed as a paperless property registry to facilitate the quick transfer of mortgages between lenders, as well as investors in mortgage-backed securities. Also, it avoided paying all those nice county recording fees.
In certain jurisdictions, servicers use the MERS name to initiate foreclosures on properties listed in its registry onbehalf of the creditor. But this approach has been challenged repeatedly by homeowners who say the electronic system has no standing to act as the mortgagee nominee in foreclosure actions.
MERS argues that borrowers are required to sign documents stating that MERS can assume rights and responsibilities on behalf of creditors, and this reasoning has led a number of state courts to uphold MERS’ right to foreclose.
Still, the electronic registry has come under heavy fire lately. It became a focus of last fall’s robo-signing scandal when the MERS name appeared within defective affidavits and regulators extended their servicing investigations to include the system and its role in the foreclosure process.
Fannie Mae told its servicers last spring that they were no longer allowed to foreclose in the name of MERS, and now Freddie Mac is following suit.
Freddie has updated its servicer guide to eliminate the option for the foreclosure counsel or trustee to conduct a foreclosure in the name of MERS. The new rule is effective for mortgages registered with MERS that are referred to foreclosure on or after April 1, 2011.
Freddie Mac issued new policy guidelines to its servicers this week that prohibit foreclosures in the name of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. (MERS). Fannie did this awhile ago.
MERS was developed by the industry to keep track of the servicing rights on home loans. It was designed as a paperless property registry to facilitate the quick transfer of mortgages between lenders, as well as investors in mortgage-backed securities. Also, it avoided paying all those nice county recording fees.
In certain jurisdictions, servicers use the MERS name to initiate foreclosures on properties listed in its registry onbehalf of the creditor. But this approach has been challenged repeatedly by homeowners who say the electronic system has no standing to act as the mortgagee nominee in foreclosure actions.
MERS argues that borrowers are required to sign documents stating that MERS can assume rights and responsibilities on behalf of creditors, and this reasoning has led a number of state courts to uphold MERS’ right to foreclose.
Still, the electronic registry has come under heavy fire lately. It became a focus of last fall’s robo-signing scandal when the MERS name appeared within defective affidavits and regulators extended their servicing investigations to include the system and its role in the foreclosure process.
Fannie Mae told its servicers last spring that they were no longer allowed to foreclose in the name of MERS, and now Freddie Mac is following suit.
Freddie has updated its servicer guide to eliminate the option for the foreclosure counsel or trustee to conduct a foreclosure in the name of MERS. The new rule is effective for mortgages registered with MERS that are referred to foreclosure on or after April 1, 2011.
Grand Prix
SATURDAY MARCH 26
3/26/2011 8:05 -- 8:50 a.m. Star Mazda qualifying
9:10 -- 9:55 a.m. Firestone Indy Lights practice
10:10 -- 11:10 a.m. IZOD IndyCar Series practice
11:20 -- 11:40 a.m. Drifting cars on-track
11:50 -- 1:05 p.m. ACURA Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg, World Challenge race #1
1:25 -- 2:10 p.m. Firestone Indy Lights qualifying
2:30 -- 3:50 p.m. IZOD IndyCar Series qualifying & Firestone Fast Six
4:10 -- 5:10 p.m. Star Mazda race
5:20 -- 6:00 p.m. USF2000 race #1
http://www.baynews9.com/grand-prix
3/26/2011 8:05 -- 8:50 a.m. Star Mazda qualifying
9:10 -- 9:55 a.m. Firestone Indy Lights practice
10:10 -- 11:10 a.m. IZOD IndyCar Series practice
11:20 -- 11:40 a.m. Drifting cars on-track
11:50 -- 1:05 p.m. ACURA Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg, World Challenge race #1
1:25 -- 2:10 p.m. Firestone Indy Lights qualifying
2:30 -- 3:50 p.m. IZOD IndyCar Series qualifying & Firestone Fast Six
4:10 -- 5:10 p.m. Star Mazda race
5:20 -- 6:00 p.m. USF2000 race #1
http://www.baynews9.com/grand-prix
Disagreement, Negotiation Delays Problematic for Servicer Settlement
Attorneys general Kenneth Cuccinelli of Virginia, Greg Abbott of Texas, Pam Bondi of Florida, and Alan Wilson of South Carolina sent a letter to Miller because they wanted to “raise concerns about certain provisions of the draft term sheet submitted to mortgage servicers this month.”
The AGs are not the only ones with concerns about the 27-page proposal. Several of the servicers have spoken out against some of the terms within the settlement, particularly ones regarding mandatory principal write-downs for underwater borrowers.
http://www.dsnews.com/articles/delays-in-negotiation-and-more-ag-disagreement-causing-problems-for-servicer-settlement-2011-03-24
http://www.sifma.org/
AGs assert that the proposal’s suggestion of principal write-downs for underwater borrowers “do a disservice to homeowners who, despite an economic downturn, have worked hard to maintain their mortgages.” Hell YA! Either give a principal reduction to everyone- even thosse who are not underwater bc they didn't tsake all their equity out or buy a home they couldn't afford- or no one!
The AGs are not the only ones with concerns about the 27-page proposal. Several of the servicers have spoken out against some of the terms within the settlement, particularly ones regarding mandatory principal write-downs for underwater borrowers.
http://www.dsnews.com/articles/delays-in-negotiation-and-more-ag-disagreement-causing-problems-for-servicer-settlement-2011-03-24
http://www.sifma.org/
AGs assert that the proposal’s suggestion of principal write-downs for underwater borrowers “do a disservice to homeowners who, despite an economic downturn, have worked hard to maintain their mortgages.” Hell YA! Either give a principal reduction to everyone- even thosse who are not underwater bc they didn't tsake all their equity out or buy a home they couldn't afford- or no one!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Freddie Mac Attorneys
MFlorida(Last revised 03/10/11)
Designated Counsel/Trustee
Florida Foreclosures and Bankruptcies
Florida Default Law Group
Attn: Ron Wolfe
9119 Corporate Lake Drive
Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33634
Tel: (813) 342-2200 (Ext. 3037)
Fax: (813) 251-1541
E-mail: Rwolfe@defaultlawfl.com
Mike@defaultlawfl.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kass, Shuler, Solomon, Spector, Foyle & Singer, P.A.
Attn: Carolyn Rivers
1505 N. Florida Avenue
Tampa, FL 33602
Tel: (813) 229-0900
Fax: (813) 229-3323
E-mail: crivers@kasslaw.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law Offices of Daniel C. Consuegra, PLLC
Attn: Daniel C. Consuegra
9204 King Palm Drive
Tampa, FL 33619-1328
Tel: (813) 915-8660
Fax: (813) 915-0559
E-mail: dan@consuegralaw.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aldridge Connors, LLP
Attn: John G. Aldridge
7000 W. Palmetto Park Rd. Suite 307
Boca Raton, FL 33433
Tel: (561) 392-6391
Fax: (561) 392-6965
Email: galdridge@aclawllp.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law Office of Douglas C. Zahm, P.A.
Attn: Doug Bales
12425 28th Street N.,Suite 200,
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Tel: (727) 536-4911
Fax: (727) 539-1094
Email: dmb@dczahm.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida Foreclosure Attorneys, PLLC
Attn: Rick Felberbaum
601 Cleveland St # 690
Clearwater, Fl 33755-4171
Tel: (727) 446-4826
Fax: (727) 446-1723
Email: rick@flaforeclosureattorneys.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gilbert Garcia Group. P.A.
Attn: Michelle Gilbert
3200 Henderson Blvd Suite 100
Tampa, FL 33609
Tel: (813) 443-5087
Fax: (813) 443-5089
Email: michelle@gmgrouplaw.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phelan Hallinan, L.C.
Attn: Emilio Lenzi
888 SE 3rd Ave, Suite 201-A
Ft. Lauderdale. FL 33316
Tel: (954) 462-7000
Fax: (954) 462-7001
E-mail: Emilo.Lenzi@phelanhallinan.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robertson, Anschutz and Schneid, PL
Attn: Garrett Bender
3010 N. Military Trail Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Tel: (561) 241-6901
Fax:: (561) 241-9181
E-mail: gmb@rasflaw.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Johnson and Freedman LLC
Attn: Larry Johnson
8201 Peters Rd Suite 2200
Plantation, FL 33321
Tel: (954) 654-7745
Fax: (954) 475-7760
Email: lwjohnson@jflegal.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Udren Law Offices, PC
Attn: Tina Rich
4561 Sheridan Street, Suite 460
Hollywood, FL 33021
Tel: (954) 378-1762
Fax: (954) 378-1763
Email: TRich@udren.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morales Law Group, P.A.
Attn: Marisol Morales
14750 NW 77 Court
Suite 303
Miami Lakes, FL 33016
Tel: (305) 698-5839
Fax: (305) 698-5840
E-mail: Marisol.morales@moraleslawgroup.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weltman ,Weinberg and Reis Co. LPA
Attn: Frank Veneziano
500 West Cypress Creek Rd
Suite 190
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
Tel: (954) 740-5200
Fax: (954) 740-5290
Email: fveneziano@weltman.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stone, McGehee and Silver, LLC, dba McCalla Raymer
Attn: Adam Silverman
225 E. Robinson St.
Suite 660
Orlando, FL 32801
Tel: (407) 674-1850
Fax: (321) 248-0420
E-mail: as@mccallaraymer.com
http://www.freddiemac.com/service/msp/exh79_fl.html
Designated Counsel/Trustee
Florida Foreclosures and Bankruptcies
Florida Default Law Group
Attn: Ron Wolfe
9119 Corporate Lake Drive
Suite 300
Tampa, FL 33634
Tel: (813) 342-2200 (Ext. 3037)
Fax: (813) 251-1541
E-mail: Rwolfe@defaultlawfl.com
Mike@defaultlawfl.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kass, Shuler, Solomon, Spector, Foyle & Singer, P.A.
Attn: Carolyn Rivers
1505 N. Florida Avenue
Tampa, FL 33602
Tel: (813) 229-0900
Fax: (813) 229-3323
E-mail: crivers@kasslaw.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law Offices of Daniel C. Consuegra, PLLC
Attn: Daniel C. Consuegra
9204 King Palm Drive
Tampa, FL 33619-1328
Tel: (813) 915-8660
Fax: (813) 915-0559
E-mail: dan@consuegralaw.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aldridge Connors, LLP
Attn: John G. Aldridge
7000 W. Palmetto Park Rd. Suite 307
Boca Raton, FL 33433
Tel: (561) 392-6391
Fax: (561) 392-6965
Email: galdridge@aclawllp.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Law Office of Douglas C. Zahm, P.A.
Attn: Doug Bales
12425 28th Street N.,Suite 200,
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Tel: (727) 536-4911
Fax: (727) 539-1094
Email: dmb@dczahm.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Florida Foreclosure Attorneys, PLLC
Attn: Rick Felberbaum
601 Cleveland St # 690
Clearwater, Fl 33755-4171
Tel: (727) 446-4826
Fax: (727) 446-1723
Email: rick@flaforeclosureattorneys.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gilbert Garcia Group. P.A.
Attn: Michelle Gilbert
3200 Henderson Blvd Suite 100
Tampa, FL 33609
Tel: (813) 443-5087
Fax: (813) 443-5089
Email: michelle@gmgrouplaw.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phelan Hallinan, L.C.
Attn: Emilio Lenzi
888 SE 3rd Ave, Suite 201-A
Ft. Lauderdale. FL 33316
Tel: (954) 462-7000
Fax: (954) 462-7001
E-mail: Emilo.Lenzi@phelanhallinan.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robertson, Anschutz and Schneid, PL
Attn: Garrett Bender
3010 N. Military Trail Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33431
Tel: (561) 241-6901
Fax:: (561) 241-9181
E-mail: gmb@rasflaw.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Johnson and Freedman LLC
Attn: Larry Johnson
8201 Peters Rd Suite 2200
Plantation, FL 33321
Tel: (954) 654-7745
Fax: (954) 475-7760
Email: lwjohnson@jflegal.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Udren Law Offices, PC
Attn: Tina Rich
4561 Sheridan Street, Suite 460
Hollywood, FL 33021
Tel: (954) 378-1762
Fax: (954) 378-1763
Email: TRich@udren.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morales Law Group, P.A.
Attn: Marisol Morales
14750 NW 77 Court
Suite 303
Miami Lakes, FL 33016
Tel: (305) 698-5839
Fax: (305) 698-5840
E-mail: Marisol.morales@moraleslawgroup.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weltman ,Weinberg and Reis Co. LPA
Attn: Frank Veneziano
500 West Cypress Creek Rd
Suite 190
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
Tel: (954) 740-5200
Fax: (954) 740-5290
Email: fveneziano@weltman.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stone, McGehee and Silver, LLC, dba McCalla Raymer
Attn: Adam Silverman
225 E. Robinson St.
Suite 660
Orlando, FL 32801
Tel: (407) 674-1850
Fax: (321) 248-0420
E-mail: as@mccallaraymer.com
http://www.freddiemac.com/service/msp/exh79_fl.html
Product Safety
The new searchable product-safety database operated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), http://www.saferproducts.gov/, became fully operational on March 11, 2011. What will be its impact? Will it help consumers make informed decisions in purchasing safe toys for their children? Will it help regulators and manufacturers identify potentially dangerous trends before they otherwise might have been noticed? Will it be misused by plaintiffs' attorneys and experts as a means of "proving" the occurrence of incidents or injuries that never happened?
Product Safety
The new searchable product-safety database operated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), http://www.saferproducts.gov/, became fully operational on March 11, 2011. What will be its impact? Will it help consumers make informed decisions in purchasing safe toys for their children? Will it help regulators and manufacturers identify potentially dangerous trends before they otherwise might have been noticed? Will it be misused by plaintiffs' attorneys and experts as a means of "proving" the occurrence of incidents or injuries that never happened?
Freddie Mac on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/FreddieMac
Millions of people turn to YouTube for wacky viral videos, but Freddie Mac believes that YouTube can also be used to provide information to homeowners facing foreclosure.
The government-sponsored enterprise has launched a new five-video series on its YouTube channel that dispels what is described as the "five common myths that could prevent people from keeping their homes if they face foreclosure." Each video runs between 90 seconds and two minutes and is based on content culled from Freddie Mac's "Get the Facts on Homeownership" education and outreach materials.
"Individuals are worried about scams and fraud, and don't know who to safely turn to for help," says Dwight Robinson, Freddie Mac senior vice president of corporate relations and housing outreach. "The videos provide information and resources that just might keep individuals from losing their home."
SOURCE: Freddie Mac
Millions of people turn to YouTube for wacky viral videos, but Freddie Mac believes that YouTube can also be used to provide information to homeowners facing foreclosure.
The government-sponsored enterprise has launched a new five-video series on its YouTube channel that dispels what is described as the "five common myths that could prevent people from keeping their homes if they face foreclosure." Each video runs between 90 seconds and two minutes and is based on content culled from Freddie Mac's "Get the Facts on Homeownership" education and outreach materials.
"Individuals are worried about scams and fraud, and don't know who to safely turn to for help," says Dwight Robinson, Freddie Mac senior vice president of corporate relations and housing outreach. "The videos provide information and resources that just might keep individuals from losing their home."
SOURCE: Freddie Mac
Roughly One-Third Of Homeowners Have Underwater Mortgages
Nearly one-third of U.S. homeowners owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth, according to a new national survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports. The new survey, which polled 720 Americans.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/housing/march_2011/31_say_they_owe_more_on_their_mortgage_than_their_home_is_worth
If someone can’t afford to make their increased mortgage payments, 22% of all Americans say it’s better for the government to assist them with their payments than it is for them to be forced to sell their house. But as they have for months, a sizable majority (64%) believes it’s better for the person to sell their house and find a less expensive one. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided.
In a survey last September, 39% of Americans said the government should encourage home ownership through incentives, but 51% said the government should stay out of the housing market all together.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/housing/march_2011/31_say_they_owe_more_on_their_mortgage_than_their_home_is_worth
If someone can’t afford to make their increased mortgage payments, 22% of all Americans say it’s better for the government to assist them with their payments than it is for them to be forced to sell their house. But as they have for months, a sizable majority (64%) believes it’s better for the person to sell their house and find a less expensive one. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided.
In a survey last September, 39% of Americans said the government should encourage home ownership through incentives, but 51% said the government should stay out of the housing market all together.
Not all AG's agree with Principal Write Downs
Four state attorneys general (AGs) have objected to the principal-reducing modification requirements proposed in the recent letter from federal regulators and some state AGs to mortgage servicers.
The AGs expressed their concerns in a letter to Iowa AG Tom Miller, who is widely seen as the lead investigator on the 50-state initiative, the Wall Street Journal reports.
"To the extent loan modification proposals should be included at all, they should be limited in scope and only address unlawful conduct at issue in this investigation - such as banks' improper handling of loan modification applications," the four Republican AGs wrote to Miller, a Democrat. The letter came from Kenneth Cuccinelli of Virginia, Pam Bondi of Florida, Alan Wilson of South Carolina and Greg Abbott of Texas.
The AGs do support some aspects of the draft proposal, which was sent to the nation's largest banks earlier this month. According to the Journal report, the four AGs wrote that they are "deeply troubled" by certain discoveries unearthed by investigations, such as the broad use of robo-signers and other documentation issues.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703921204576217532021953682.html?mod=goog
The AGs expressed their concerns in a letter to Iowa AG Tom Miller, who is widely seen as the lead investigator on the 50-state initiative, the Wall Street Journal reports.
"To the extent loan modification proposals should be included at all, they should be limited in scope and only address unlawful conduct at issue in this investigation - such as banks' improper handling of loan modification applications," the four Republican AGs wrote to Miller, a Democrat. The letter came from Kenneth Cuccinelli of Virginia, Pam Bondi of Florida, Alan Wilson of South Carolina and Greg Abbott of Texas.
The AGs do support some aspects of the draft proposal, which was sent to the nation's largest banks earlier this month. According to the Journal report, the four AGs wrote that they are "deeply troubled" by certain discoveries unearthed by investigations, such as the broad use of robo-signers and other documentation issues.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703921204576217532021953682.html?mod=goog
Freddie Mae pushing lenders to Harrass Home Owners
How early? I’m talking about making contact by the third day of delinquency,” Renzi said.
That’s the ideal scenario, but the unequivocal line in the sand is being drawn at within 60 days of the first missed payment
http://www.dsnews.com/articles/freddie-pushing-servicers-to-contact-borrowers-by-third-day-of-delinquency-2011-03-23
Hello you get a 10 day grace period with most loans, and they can not file foreclosure until it is at least 90 days delinquent. They should not be calling and bothering you until then!
That’s the ideal scenario, but the unequivocal line in the sand is being drawn at within 60 days of the first missed payment
http://www.dsnews.com/articles/freddie-pushing-servicers-to-contact-borrowers-by-third-day-of-delinquency-2011-03-23
Hello you get a 10 day grace period with most loans, and they can not file foreclosure until it is at least 90 days delinquent. They should not be calling and bothering you until then!
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