As reported on this blog in October of 2011, the Steven J. Baum Law Firm reached a settlement with the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York whereby it agreed to pay a two (2) million dollar fine and amend its foreclosure practices. Earlier this week, a settlement was reached with the State’s Attorney General’s Office where the firm’s managing partners, Steven J. Baum and Brian Kumeiga, agreed not to handle any foreclosure cases for lenders or servicers in New York State courts for two (2) years and pay a four (4) million dollar fine. Pillar Processing, a document processing entity created by the firm, is also on the hook for the fine. The suit alleged that the Steven J. Baum Law Firm did not take the necessary steps to ensure the accuracy of the legal papers filed in its foreclosure complaints and bankruptcy proceedings. Per the terms of the settlement agreement the firm neither admitted nor denied any findings of wrongdoing in the case.

As part of the settlement half of the four (4) million dollar fine will be allocated to a fund that helps New York residents in foreclosure. Although the firm is now defunct, it remains involved in litigation with other borrowers who believe their rights were compromised by the firm’s practices. We will continue to update you on the outcome of these cases.

Following up on a previous blog, the New York State Attorney General’s Office filed a complaint on February 3, 2012 against the Mortgage Electronic Registration System (“MERS”) and several large investment banks alleging, among other things, that the institutions engaged in deceptive practices in foreclosure actions throughout the state through their usage of MERS; including initiating said actions without the requisite legal authority. A little more than a month later, JP Morgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Citigroup agreed to pay $5.9 million, and Ally Financial agreed to pay $1.25, to partially settle the suit. As per the terms of the settlement, none of the above banks admitted to engaging in deceptive practices, nor did they deny that they did not.

We will continue to monitor and update you accordingly, as the New York State Attorney General’s Office will continue its case in an effort to obtain damages related to the banks' use of MERS.