Saturday, March 22, 2014

It’s good to see that a lawsuit providing critical new evidence of systematic foreclosure abuses is getting the attention it warrants. Democracy Now interviewed Linda Tirelli, who filed a Wells Fargo “Foreclosure Attorney Procedure Manual” in a recent case in New York. This document sets forth in considerable detail how attorneys and other staff members should fabricate documents in the event that they are unable to muster up solid evidence that the bank has standing to foreclose. This manual is a smoking gun for foreclosure defense attorneys opposing Wells. Many judges have been reluctant to side with delinquent borrowers and assume that any bank error are mere sloppiness. This manual shows that the bank has institutionalized its practices for deceiving the court.

One particularly encouraging bit of news: Tirelli said that when her story hit the news, she got calls and e-mails from both New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office and that of Superintendent of Financial Services, Benjamin Lawsky. The rivalry between the two agencies greatly increases the odds that Wells will be subject to a proctological examination.

Here is the copy of manual:

Wells Fargo Foreclosure Manual