Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

v.

John L. Reed
APELLATE Case No. 23136 Trial Court Case No. 2008 cv 01936

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION
A. SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT AND ISSUES PRESENTED B. LAW AND ARGUMENT C. TO SUMMARIZE D. PART II COUNTERCLAIMS E. HOLDER IN DUE COURSE F. ABUSES IN THE MORTGAGE PROCESS G. FAILURE OF PLAINTIFF TO PROVE OWNERSHIP OF THE NOTE H. PLAINTIFFS EXPERT WITNESSES I. SUMMARY OF DEFENDANTS REQUESTS OF COURT

II. COUNTERCLAIMS (alternatively)

A. Defendants Affirmative Counter Claims & Claims Presented in This Case B. Holder In Due Course C. Transference of Ownership of Note Without Due Process D. Abuses in the Mortgage Foreclosure Process E. Failure of Plaintiff to Prove Ownership of the Note F. Plaintiffs Expert Witnesses G. COUNT ONE Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act FDCPA

H. COUNT TWO Ohio RICO, R.C. 2923.32 I. COUNT THREE Violations of Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. J. COUNT FOUR Violations of the Universal Commercial Code K. COUNT FIVE Violations of Ohio Deceptive Trade Practices Act L. COUNT SIX Violations of Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act M. COUNT SEVEN Violation of O.R.C 1345.0 N. COUNT EIGHT Violation of U.S. Constitution Article III O. COUNT NINE Truth In Lending Act Violations TILA Truth in Lending Act Case Law P. COUNT TEN Home Owners Protection Act Violations HOEPA Regulation Z Violations Q. COUNT ELEVEN Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act Violations R. COUNT TWELVE Violations of Ohio Corrupt Activities S. SUMMARY OF DEFENDANT REQUESTS TO THE COURT APPENDIX Count Three Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. Previous Ohio Judgments For Lack Of Standing U.S. Code Title 15, Chapter 41, subchapter 1, Part A 1607 Supplemental Information PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION before the BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM on Predatory Lending Practices in the Home-Equity Lending Market September, 2007 San Francisco, California

Exhibits
A TRACKING THE MORTGAGE CHRONOLOGY

B Example of Copy/Pasted Signatures Forgers Statistical Analysis C Credit Report D Lack Of Standing Issues Held E Assignment From Option One To Wells Fargo Bank F Option One Mortgage Underwriters Worksheet G Uniform Residential Loan Application 1 Uniform Residential Loan Application 2 H Plaintiffs Purchase Price And Terms Agreement (plaintiffs exhibit 25) I Pooling and Servicing Agreement 2.03 J Assignment from H&R Block to Option One K Previous Verdicts Judgments Against Wells Fargo Bank L Acculink Title Co. Documents (4) M Barclays Bank Bill of Sale N Federal Interest Rate release July 5th, 2005 O Good Faith Estimate of Settlement Costs 1 O Good Faith Estimate of Settlement Costs 2 P S. DIST. W. Div. OF OHIO Lack of Standing Positions Q Recent Federal Rulings Against Wells Fargo 2 (13) R Recent Federal Rulings Against Wells Fargo 3 (L.A.-1) S Recent Federal Rulings Against Wells Fargo 4 T Child Support 1 U Child Support 2 V Child Support 3 W Child Support 4 (Credit Report)

X Federal Truth In Lending Statement (TILA) 1 Federal Truth In Lending Statement (TILA) 2 Y Previous Sanction Against Wells Fargo N.A. Kristy Canizio the Lady of many hats signature Exhibits 1. Allonge from Option One to Blank (Investor) 2. Allonge from H&R Block to Option One 3. Assignment from H&R Block to Option One 4. Instructions to Closing Agent 5. HMDA Audit Sheet 6. Data Integrity Audit 7. Data Integrity Audit 8. Wiring Instructions 9. Employment Verification Z Instruction To Closing Agent 1 Instruction To Closing Agent 2 AA Loan Disbursement Worksheet 1 Disbursement Worksheet 2 AB Itemization of Amount Financed

Federal Statutes
FDIC Law, Regulations, Related Acts Home Ownership & Equity Protection Act 1994 Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act RESPA Truth In Lending Law Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Section 29 -- Validity of Contracts Universal Commercial Code (UCC)

State Statutes
Ohio Corrupt Activities statute. Section 1345 Ohio Consumers Sales Practices Act ORC. Section 1349.27, Creditor prohibitions O.R.C. 4165: Deceptive Trades Practices Section 5301.01 Ohio Revised Code Section 5309.79 Ohio revised Code Section 4712.07 Prohibited Acts, Ohio Revised Code R.C. 1335.04. Uniform Deceptive Trades Practices Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act

Federal Statutes Universal Commercial Code section: Article 3 3-104 Negotiable Instrument
3-202. NEGOTIATION SUBJECT TO RESCISSION 3-302. HOLDER IN DUE COURSE. U.S. Code 1607. Administrative enforcement RESEARCH LINKS TILA Research Link with citations HOEPA Research Link with citations FTC Research Link with citations TABLE OF AUTHORITIES Cases Us District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Western Division, Judge: Thomas Rose

US District Court, Southern District, Eastern Division, Judge: Christopher A. Boyko US District Court, Southern District, Eastern Division, Judge: John D. Holschuh Non Diversity DLJ Mtge. Capital, Inc. v. Parsons, 2008-Ohio-1177 Non-Diverstiy
Abele v. Mid-Penn Consumer Discount. 77 B.R. 460, affirmed S45 F.2d 1009. Bader vs. Williams, 61 A 2d 637 Bank of New York c Heath, 2001 WL 1771825, at *1 ( Ill. Cir. Oct. 26, 2001) Barber, 266 B.R. 309 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2001) Barnsdall Refining Corn. v. Birnam wood Oil Co., 92 F 2d 8 Basile v. H&R Block. Jlt(L. 897 F.Supp. 194. Brophv v. Chase Manhattan Mortgage Co, 947 F.Supp. 879 Bryant v. Mortgage Capital Resource Corp., 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS1566, at **11-17 (N.D. Ga. Jan. 14 ,2002 Chase Manhattan Mtge. Corp. v. Smith, Hamilton App. No. C-061069, 2007-Ohio-5874, at 18; Kramer v. Millott (Sept. 23, 1994), Erie App. No. E-94-5. 9, 16, 37, 73 Clomon v. Jackson, 988 F .2d 1314 (2d Cir. 1993) Cole v. Am. Industries & Resources Corp. (1998), 128 Ohio App.3d 546, 552, 715 N.E.2d 1179 Standing Only Cooper v. First Gov't Mortgage & Investors Corp., 238 F. Supp. 2d 50 (D.D.C. 2002) Coyne, 183 F. 3d at 494 (quoting Pestrak v. Ohio Elections Commn, 926 F. 2d 573, 576 (6th Cir. 1991)). 13 Coyne, 183 F. 3d at 494; Valley Forge, 454 U.S. at 472. 13 Coyne, 183 F. 3d at 494, quoting Pestrak v. Ohio Elections Commn, 926 F. 2d 573, 576 (6th Cir. 1991 Coyne, 183 F. 3d at 494; Valley Forge, 454 U.S. at 472) Discover Bank v. Brockmeier, 12th Dist. No. CA2006-07-078, 2007-Ohio-1552, at 7, citing In re DLJ Mtge. Capital, Inc. v. Parsons, 2008-Ohio-1177 Standing Only Highland Holiday Subdivision (1971), 27 Ohio App.2d 237, 240, 273 N.E.2d 903. Creager v. Anderson (1934), 16 Ohio Law Abs. 400 Geimuso v. Commercial Bank & Trust Co. 566 F.2d 437. Griggs v. Provident Consumer Discount. 680 F.2d 927, 503 F.Supp. 246, appeal dismissed 672 F2d 903, appeal after remand 680 F.2d 927, certiorari granted, vacated 103 S.Ct, 400, 459 U.S. 56, 74 L.Ed.2d 225, on remand 699 F,2d 642. Dash v. Firstplus Home Loan Trust 1996-2, 248 F. Supp. 2d 489 (M.D.N.C. 2003); Daubert v. Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993) First Union Natl. Bank v. Hufford (2001), 146 Ohio App.3d 673, 677, 679-680. 9, 16 Fluehmann v. Associates Financial Services, 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5755 (D. Mass. March 29, 2002)

Ford Motor Credit v Milhollin, 444 U.S. 555, 565 (1980) Guardian Agency v. Guardian Mutual. Savings Bank, 227 Wis 550, 279 NW 83 36 In re Highland Holiday Subdivision (1971), 27 Ohio App.2d 237, 240 9 J. Strong, McCormick on Evidence 337, 412 (5th ed. 1999) Jackson, 245 B.R. 23 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2000) Kramer v. Millott (Sept. 23, 1994), Erie App. No. E-94-5 8********* Lopez v. Delta Funding Corp., 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 23318 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 23, 1998) Mason v. Fieldstone Mortgage Co., U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16415 (N.D. Ill. 2001) Maquire v. Citicorp Retail Services, Inc. 147 F. 3d 232 (2nd Cir 1998); Menominee River Co. v. Augustus Spies L & C Co., 147 Wis 559, 572; 132 NW 1122 Midfirst Bank, SSB v. C.W. Haynes & Co., Inc., 893 F.Supp. 1304, 1312 (D.S.C. 1994) 10 Murray, 239 B.R. 728, 733 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1999). Newton v. United Companies Financial Corp., 24 F. Supp. 2d 444, 451-57 (E.D. Pa. 1998) (improvident lending). Northland Ins. Co. v. Illuminating Co., 11th Dist. Nos. 2002-A-0058 and 2002-A-0066, 2004- Ohio-1529, at 17 (internal quotations and citations omitted). Nosek v. Ameriquest Mortgage Co., 386 B.R. 374 (Bankr. D. Mass 2008) Wells Fargo Sanction $250,000 Ochmanek, 266 B.R. 114, 120 (Bkrtcy.N.D. Ohio 2000) (citing Pinney v. Merchants National Bank of Defiance, 71 Ohio St. 173, 177 (1904).1 Northland Ins. Co. v. Illuminating Co., 11th Dist. Nos. 2002-A-0058 and 2002-A-0066, 2004- Ohio-1529, at 17 (internal quotations and citations omitted). Predatory Lending, Securitization, and the Holder in Due Course Doctrine, 35 Creighton L. Rev. 503 (2002) Pulphus v. Sullivan, No. 02 C 5794, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7080, at *64 n.11 (N.D. Ill. April 25, 2003) Quino v. A-I CreditCom. 635 F.Supp. 151 Ralls, 230 B.R. 508 ( Bankr E.D. Pa. 1999 Schaffer ex rel. Schaffer v. Weast, 546 U.S. 49 (2005) Shealy v. Campbell (1985), 20 Ohio St.3d 23, 24.7,9 Short v. Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., Smith v Encore Credit 4:08-cv-1462 USDC, N. Oh. W. Dist Judge McHargh Soils v. Fidelity Consumer Discount Co., 58 B.R. 983, State ex rel. Dallman v. Court of Common Pleas (1973), 35 Ohio St.2d 176, 298 N.E.2d 515, syllabus. In Re Steinbrecher. 110 BR. 155, 116 A.L.R. Fed. 881. Rodrigues, 278 B.R. 683 (Bankr. D.R.I. 2002) Travelers Indemn. Co. v. R. L. Smith Co. (Apr. 13, 2001), 11th Dist. No. 2000-L-014. United Stats v. Natl Fin. Serv., 98 F. 3d 131 (4th Cir. 1996) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee,v. No. 01-4953 PATRICK LEROY CRISP Valley Forge, 454 U.S. at 472 .. 13 Vandenbroeck v. ContiMortgage Corp., 53 F.Supp. 965, 968 (W.D. Mich. 1999)

Washington Mut. Bank, F.A. v. Green (2004), 156 Ohio App.3d 461, the Seventh District Court of Appeals. 10, 16 Whipp v. Iverson, 43 Wis 2d 166. Whitaker v M.T. Automotive, Inc. 2006-Ohio-5481 .. 36

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Byrd, 178 Ohio App.3d 285, 2008-Ohio-4603 sanctions

THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO SECOND APPELLATE DIVISION

WELLS FARGO BANK N.A., AS TRUSTEE, 0231236 Plaintiff Vs.

Case No. CA

Judge:

JOHN L. REED________________________, Defendant Motion To Appeal Ruling of The Lower Court and to Rule on the Following: Part I. INTRODUCTION Now comes Defendant John A. Reed pro se to enter this Motion to Appeal the Ruling of the Lower Court and to Rule on the Following. Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank (hereinafter Bank and/or Plaintiff), while lacking Legal Standing to initiate suit, did cause to be filed against Defendant John L. Reed a foreclosure suit on February 27th, 2008 ultra vires. Defendant John A. Reed, son of the aforementioned Defendant John L. Reed, was enjoined within this foreclosure action only for reason of his total and complete ownership of the property referenced within the alleged Mortgage and note. Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank NA., claims to have become the alleged possessor or Holder of the alleged Note and Mortgage after their initiation of this foreclosure action. 2. Upon Plaintiffs Counsels discovery of their own inconsistent and invalid documentation and improperly perfected alleged Mortgage and Note, Plaintiffs counsel did then act mens rea to set out to prove that the real owner of the property was the actual creator of the aforesaid alleged Note and Mortgage, Defendant John A. Reed and not the John L. Reed as is evidenced upon the Note & Mortgage.

3. Defendant John A. Reed neither affirmed nor denied his position as creator of the alleged Note and/or Mortgage, instead relying upon his rights of Burden of Proof of Plaintiff to prove Defendants ownership of the Note & Mortgage. To this end, Plaintiff did produce (and pay for) the Expert Testimony of a Ms. Vickie Williard, Handwriting Analyst who testified she did not have a measurable rate of correct or incorrect analysis results and that her profession was to appear in court and testify. She then proceeded to testify that of the samples given to her to inspect (all but 1 of which were copies of signatures of Defendants, which goes against CivR 1002), it did, in her opinion, appear to her, that Mr. John A. Reed had signed the alleged Original Mortgage and Note. 4. Lower Courts have found, and Plaintiff has agreed, that the Principal named on the alleged Note and Mortgage as the Creator of the alleged Mortgage and Note, Defendant John L. Reed, Defendant John A. Reeds Father, was in fact not the property owner at the time of alleged Mortgage and Note creation nor the creator of the alleged Mortgage and Note. 5. Plaintiff has averred and Defendant has denied, and no one has found, that Defendant John A. Reed had broken into the Lending Agents facility in Tampa Florida, and altered documents. This claim is unsubstantiated and libelous. 6. Plaintiff has averred and Defendant has denied the above claim, and no one has even proffered a reason why Defendant John A. Reed would substitute his Fathers name on the alleged mortgaged property note for his own name, as would be necessary to substantiate the Plaintiffs claim, as statement of fact, of an alleged forgery. This claim is also unsubstantiated and libelous.

7. Subsequently the Court found Defendant John A. Reed to be the Creator of the Note & Mortgage; then did, in violation of the U.S. Statue of Frauds, the U.S. Law of Contracts and Civ.R. 17(A), with Judicial fiat, the court altered the alleged Mortgage &

Promissory Note, effectively destroying the original Mortgage and Note and their representations of fact, to represent that Defendant John A. Reed was the true owner and responsible party for the alleged Mortgage and Note. Then, without any formal notice of suit against Defendant John A. Reed, as court proceeded to collectively and summarily change ownership of the Note & Mortgage, they also immediately foreclose on same, effectively denying Defendant John A. Reed of any proper recourse through Due Process. "Every action shall be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest." CivR. (17(A) A real party in interest is one who is directly benefited or injured by the outcome of the case. Shealy v. Campbell (1985), 20 Ohio St.3d 23, 24., State ex rel. Dallman v. Court of Common Pleas (1973), 35 Ohio St.2d 176, 298 N.E.2d 515, syllabus, Northland Ins. Co. v. Illuminating Co., 11th Dist. Nos. 2002-A-0058 and 2002-A-0066, 2004- Ohio-1529, at 17 (internal quotations and citations omitted)., Travelers Indemn. Co. v. R. L. Smith Co. (Apr. 13, 2001), 11th Dist. No. 2000-L-014., Discover Bank v. Brockmeier, 12th Dist. No. CA2006-07-078, 2007-Ohio-1552, at 7, citing In re Highland Holiday Subdivision (1971), 27 Ohio App.2d 237, 240, 273 N.E.2d 903. and Article III, Section (4)(B) of the Ohio Constitution which requires an actual controversy to exist in order for there be a justiciable issue.. 8. During the course of these pleadings Plaintiffs Counsel did defame mens rea the character of and/or did mens rea, libel, Defendant John A. Reed on numerous occasions, and in a most public manner, in writing, that has since been disseminated irretrievably and globally, stating, as fact, that Defendant John A. Reed had forged his Fathers signature and altered Federal documents. And, as Defendants viability in his chosen and previously distinguished profession, of Novell Networking Consultant (hourly rate $100 per hr.), requires a Top Security Clearance to perform, Plaintiffs Counsel has effectively stripped Defendant of any chance of employment within his

profession, in perpetuity. Plaintiffs Counsel committed this offense mens re, attempting to alter the Courts opinion of the Defendant to one of a lesser value and in so doing attempted to prejudice the Court against Defendant. In so doing, Plaintiff did cause to be published onto the Internet the charges indicated above and in the information technology age we now live in, that same information was almost instantly disseminated globally by data mining companies world wide, ie. Lexis-Nexus and many others, and is now, unalterable. Plaintiffs Counsels libel, and defamation of character of Defendant, which carry imputations of criminal conduct and allegations, are not only injurious to Defendant in his chosen and established profession, they were a death sentence. 9. Based primarily upon testimony of the Plaintiffs paid witness, notified of the lack of standing, Plaintiffs counsel then did proceed to foreclose against Defendant John A. Reed, and seeking the property sold at Public Auction and unspecified damages, which the Court did award. IA . SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT AND ISSUES PRESENTED 10. Defendant John A. Reed states Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank did act ultra vires to initiate this foreclosure suit and that the Court erred in judging this matter for lack of subject matter jurisdiction to whit; Wells Fargo Bank NA. Brought the foreclosure action against Defendant John L. Reed, naming Defendant John A. Reed only as true owner of the property, on February 27th, 2008 , yet Assignment of Mortgage from Option One Mortgage Corp. to Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank NA. As Trustee For Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC 2006-OP1 Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2006OP1 (see exhibit E), did not occur until March 7th, 2008 and as such Plaintiff lacked Legal Standing to initiate suit. Every action shall be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest. Civ.R. 17(A). A real party in interest is one who is directly benefited or injured by the outcome of the case. Shealy v. Campbell (1985), 20 Ohio St.3d 23, 24. Kramer

v. Millott (Sept. 23, 1994), Erie App. No. E-94-5 First Union Natl. Bank v. Hufford (2001), 146 Ohio App.3d 673, 677, 679-680., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Byrd, 178 Ohio App.3d 285, 2008-Ohio4603 Please see attached Previous Ohio Judgments For Lack Of Standing, Exhibit D

titled Lack of Standing Positions Held and attached Party in Interest Case Law.

LAW AND ARGUMENT 11. Defendant, the State of Ohio, and its Citizens interests are best preserved by assuring that the parties to the action are the proper parties. According to the Supreme Court of Ohio a judgment rendered by a court lacking subject matter jurisdiction is void ab initio. Patton v. Diemer (1988), 35 Ohio St.3d 68, 70, 518 N.E.2d 941. As a result, if the Court were to enter judgment without jurisdiction or without proper parties, the State of Ohio would be prejudiced by having to participate in judicial proceedings to set aside the sale and then relitigate hundreds, even thousands of foreclosures. 12. As stated in Buckeye Federal Sav. & Loan Assn v. Garlinger (1991), 62 Ohio St. 3d 312, 315 (stating promissory notes are negotiable instruments under R.C 1303.3(A). According to Ohio Revised Code, in order for a negotiable instrument to be properly transferred, it must be negotiated. R.C. 1303.21(B). Negotiation includes not only the physical transfer of the instrument but also the indorsement, U.C.C 3-201, by the holder to transferee, which of course, must be in writing. Id.; R.C. 1303.22. The Assignments and other documentation submitted by the Plaintiff fails to establish the necessary link between the original lender and the Plaintiff. In just one instance of this case, Plaintiff submitted an Assignment of the alleged Mortgage (assigned to Plaintiff post foreclosure initiation) which allegedly transferred the alleged Note from Option One Mortgage Corp. to Plaintiff, but documentation obtained through discovery proves no legitimate transfer of the alleged Mortgage and Note from Originating Broker (H&R Block) to Lender (Option One Mort.) until months after Lender (Option One) purports to

have already sold the alleged note and mortgage to Barclays Bank, gotten it back, deposited it within a Trust, that had not yet been created, used it as collateral for the sale of asset backed securities, and then, at time of default, the Lender (Option One) takes back the alleged Mortgage & Note (contractually through the Pooling & Servicing Agreement) and then, post foreclosure initiation, the Lender purportedly assigns that alleged Note & Mortgage to Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank N.A.. However, there is no evidence that in each and every occurrence of transfer of the alleged note & mortgage that there was ever proper recordation OR proper negotiation for the alleged Note & Mortgage as per R.C. 1303.22, therefore, Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank N.A. not only lacks Legal standing to initiate suit for reason of post assignment of note, Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank N.A. also lacks standing to initiate this suit because Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank Na. is not the rightful holder in Due Course of the alleged Note & Mortgage. Lower courts decision fails to acknowledge the missing links of negotiation, ie., lack of indorsements R.C 1303.22 lack of Assignments of the Note at issue prior to Plaintiff initiating suit and lack of proper assignment and/or transference of the alleged Mortgage & Note through each and every purported step of this alleged Note & Mortgages entire chronology, from inception, and at each and every step in the mortgage chronology. Plaintiffs and Plaintiffs Counsels lack of due diligence as defined by the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 SEC. 10A (a)(1)(2)(3), was detrimental and damaging to Defendant as found in Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 SEC. 9(a) (1)(A)(B)(C), (2), (4), (6)(b)(1)(2)(3), (6)(c),(d)(e), and subsequently, while it may be true that an unrecorded mortgage can be an effective transfer; the assignment must be executed in writing, from the true holder in Due Course of the alleged Mortgage & Note prior to filing the Complaint and before the Plaintiff can establish that it has standing to invoke the jurisdiction of the Court. Standing is a necessary prerequisite to establish a courts

jurisdiction to hear a case. Cain v. Calhoun (1979), 61 Ohio A.. 2d 240, 242 fn. 2 (citintg State ex rel. Dallman v. Court of Common Pleas (1973), 35 Ohio St.2d 176). 13. Therefore, the appropriate time to establish that the Plaintiff is the holder of the alleged Note and Mortgage is at the time of filing the Complaint, not at the time of judgment rendered on the Complaint. Merely alleging it is the holder of the alleged Note and Mortgage is insufficient where there is no written proof of the alleged interest in the Note. 14. Having failed to establish that it holds an interest in the alleged Note and/or Mortgage, the Plaintiff has failed to show that it suffered an injury in fact; therefore, Plaintiff does not have standing to bring this action. A person lacking any right or interest to protect may not invoke the jurisdiction of the court. State ex rel. Dallman v Court of Common Pleas (1973), 35 Ohio St. 2d 176, 178, 298, N.E.2d 515. Therefore, having failed to show that it is the holder of the alleged Note and/or Mortgage, Plaintiffs action should be dismissed because this Court lacks jurisdiction. 15. The Lower Courts decision fails to incorporate prior rulings of this Court on identical issues. In fact, the Honorable Judges Rose S.D. Ohio Nov 2007 (where Judge
Rose addresses both diversity Jurisdiction and Standing separately ), DLJ Mtge. Capital, Inc. v.

Parsons, 2008-Ohio-1177 (standing only), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Byrd, 178 Ohio App.3d 285, 2008-Ohio-4603 (standing only), Boyko N.C. OH 31 Oct 2007 (standing and
diversity) and Holschuh N.D. OH 27 Dec 2007 (where Judge Holschuh addresses both diversity Jurisdiction and Standing, but rules on lack of standing) have all ruled on numerous cases in

favor of the Defendants position within the past 16 months. This Court should not ignore precedent from this very Court in nearly identical cases. 16. Plaintiffs allege, through documents provided by Discovery, that the alleged Mortgage and Note, after its creation on June 9th, 2005, had been sold by Option One to

Barclays Bank and there disassembled, without permission of the Defendant, separating all risk associated with the mortgage & note from all interest proceeds gained through ownership of same, without Defendants permission. The Mortgage and Note was then repackaged, with interest income proceeds being re-directed to the Securitized Trust Shareholders, but with all risk still owned by Option One Mortgage Co., (thereby, without insurance licensure, or even the ability to obtain insurance licensure, insuring the Note) and with 2/3rds of all other ownership responsibilities divided equally between Mortgage Ramp Inc., and Wells Fargo Bank. Documentation provided by Plaintiff through Discovery proves that not only through lack of signatures, dates, authentication and indorsements on each document (per Section R.C. 1335.04, 1303.21, 1303.22, 5301.01 ORC (A), 5301.25, 5309.79 and UCC Article 3 & S.E.C. true sale obligations and others) ..

58 See,

e.g., Midfirst Bank, SSB v. C.W. Haynes & Co., Inc., 893 F.Supp. 1304, 1312 (D.S.C. 1994) (applying the HDC defense in a commercial context to hold that: Article Three of the UCC controls transfers of negotiable instruments, and the mortgage notes are clearly negotiable. If UCC Article Three should not apply in this case and the holder in due course doctrine is no longer warranted, then any abolishment of that body of law should come from the legislature, not the court). See also Eggert, supra note 12, at 560-70 (discussing cases where the HDC doctrine was applied against consumer mortgage borrowers).

purporting to transfer the alleged Mortgage & note from one entity to another, but also, the chronology and/or timeline of the alleged Mortgage & Note does not evidence a viable sequence of events that would support Plaintiffs allegations of Holder in Due Course by a proper transfer of the alleged Mortgage and Note. Defendant alleges that Plaintiff is attempting through subterfuge, deception, fraudulent misrepresentation, and outright fraud, to confuse the Courts. But once fully scrutinized, Plaintiffs documentation clearly demonstrates their lack of Standing to initiate this suit from its inception (see Exhibit A Tracking the Mortgage Chronology). When exhibits are

inconsistent with the plaintiff s allegations of material fact as to whom the real party in interest is, such allegations cancel each other out.

R.C. 1335.04. Ohio law holds that when a mortgage is assigned, moreover, the assignment is subject to the recording requirements of R.C. 5301.25. Creager v. Anderson (1934), 16 Ohio Law Abs. 400i (interpreting the former statute, G.C. 8543). Thus, with regards to real property, before an entity assigned an interest in that property would be entitled to receive a distribution from the sale of the property, their interest therein must have been recorded in accordance with Ohio law. In re Ochmanek, 266 B.R. 114, 120 (Bkrtcy.N.D. Ohio 2000) (citing Pinney v. Merchants National Bank of Defiance, 71 Ohio St. 173, 177 (1904).1

17. Because Plaintiffs fail to meet Article III standing requirements, the Court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction. Lack of jurisdiction may not be waived and may be raised, by a party or sua sponte by the court, at any time. Without jurisdiction, the court must grant Defendants Motion and dismiss this case. 18. Plaintiffs wish the Court to believe that it does in fact have possession of the Original Note and Mortgage. When confronted with request of delivery of each Black ink ball point pen signed original, Plaintiff brings only a copy (against EvidR 1002 of Best Evidence) of the Note and a forged Mortgage Document. Upon inspection of the alleged Original Mortgage Document, and the signature which it bears, the signature appears to have been placed on the document, or copy & pasted, using a computer and ink jet printer. This red signature is in direct opposition to every other document produced by Plaintiff through Discovery, which are all allegedly signed at the same place and time with a black ink ball point pen and such red signature is in direct violation of Plaintiffs own Closing Agents explicit instructions that all closing documents must be signed with a black ink ball point pen. See Exhibit B. 19. Mortgage, Note and loan creation documents contain many misrepresentations and fraudulent information upon them, to whit; (A) John L. Reed is represented as the party in interest upon the alleged subject Mortgage and Note. Lower Courts have held and Plaintiff has agreed that Defendant John A. Reeds Father, John L. Reed, had no

interest or involvement in the creation of the alleged subject mortgage & note. (B). Option One Underwriters Worksheet, the Universal Residential Loan Application and the Good Faith Estimate of Settlement Costs are all misrepresenting Defendants fraudulent income to be $3,300.00 per month (see exhibit F, G and O) (C) Universal Residential Loan Application (see exhibit G) contains multiple other misrepresentations of information; (1) year house built is not 1990, it is actually 2000 (2) was sub-contractor, which Defendant has never been (3) lists a completely blank employment history (4) lists Defendants base income as $3,300 per month. Defendant, in years 2001-2005 was only sporadically, part time employed, instead he was spending the entirety of his working hours gathering materials and constructing the subject property. (5) No Interviewers signature (6) U.S. Citizen? Says NO! Defendant is a natural born U.S. Citizen (7) Child Support Obligations says NO. Plaintiff had knowledge of Defendants three child support obligations until 2006. Information provided by Plaintiff shows 0- obligations despite documents provided from Plaintiff in Discovery (see Exhibits T, U, V, Y Child Dependants & DefendantsCredit Report.) proving Plaintiff had knowledge. see O.R.C. 1322.07(A),(B),(C),(E),(H) 20. Information contained on most of the rest of Plaintiffs alleged transferences of the alleged Mortgage and Note in their entirety (see Exhibit A Tracking the Mortgage Chronology), has only unsigned places for signaturesno datesno authenticationand no proper indorsements upon them as required by U.C.C, S.E.C Rules and Regulations and Ohio Revised Code R.C. 1303.21(B). Consequently, no legal transference took place of the alleged Mortgage and/or note between Plaintiffs named entities and/or co-conspirators. Plaintiff demonstrates near total disregard for UCC and SEC Rules and Regulations and Ohio Revised Code, as they apply to Securities

Transfer and documentation. They also demonstrate the sales of securities based on NO underlying Securitized assets actually held, and/or utter incompetence, and/or criminal intention and execution. To Defendants belief and knowledge, Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank NA. has foreclosed on tens of thousands of properties within the borders of Ohio and the United States using these same tactics and practices on a regular basis (see Exhibit D) despite previous sanctions for the same actions (see also Exhibit K Wells Fargo Sanctions and exhibit Y Maryland Sanctions Wells Fargo Bank). The Plaintiffs have demonstrated, in the case at bar, and created by exhibits provided, a welldocumented and clear history of violating every aspect of Due Diligence AND the Clean Hands Doctrine. The attached exhibits prove not only the Plaintiffs Lack of Standing in the subject case at hand, but also their eager willingness to bring fraud, greed and incompetence to the Courts in their attempts at unjust enrichment. Plaintiffs Counsel also clearly demonstrates his own lack of performance of Due Diligence in Representing Plaintiff before a thorough investigation of same. 21. Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank, National Association As Trustee For Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC 2006-OP1 Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-OP1 is, as its name implies, merely a conduit, and a conduit can never suffer a loss or injury as is required by the Real Party In Interest Rule. A Conduit can never suffer a loss or be injured as it must immediately pass gains or losses to Investors who are (if there are to be any at all) the true injured partynot the Servicer, not the Trustee and not the Pass-Through Trust itself, and as such, not the Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank NA. Plaintiff fails to satisfy the U.S. Constitution Article IIIs standing requirements that a plaintiff must show: (a) it has suffered an injury in fact that is concrete and particularized and actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical; (b) the injury is fairly traceable

to the challenged action of the defendant; and (c) it is likely, as opposed to merely speculative, that the injury will be redressed by a favorable decision. 22. The minimum constitutional requirements for standing are: proof of injury in fact, causation, and redress ability (Valley Forge, 454 U.S. at 472). In addition, the plaintiff must be a proper proponent, and the action a proper vehicle, to vindicate the rights asserted. [Coyne, 183 F. 3d at 494, quoting Pestrak v. Ohio Elections Commn, 926 F. 2d 573, 576 (6th Cir. 1991)]. To satisfy the requirements of Article III of the United States Constitution, the plaintiff must show he has personally suffered some actual injury as a result of the illegal conduct of the defendant (emphasis added) (Coyne, 183 F. 3d at 494; Valley Forge, 454 U.S. at 472). In each of the above-noted complaints, the named Plaintiff alleges it is the holder and owner of the alleged Note and Mortgage. However, the attached alleged Note and Mortgage identify the alleged mortgagee and promisee as other than Defendant John A. Reed, and the original lending institution as other than the named Plaintiff. When exhibits are inconsistent with the plaintiff s allegations of material fact as to whom the real party in interest is, such allegations cancel each other out. Once again Plaintiff demonstrates their Lack of Standing to initiate this foreclosure action. 23. Because Plaintiffs did not demonstrate, nor could they demonstrate, that their members have suffered or were likely to suffer an injury in fact, they fail to meet Article III standing requirements. Without standing, the Court did lack subject-matter jurisdiction. Lack of jurisdiction may not be waived and may be raised, by a party or sua sponte by the court, at any time. Without jurisdiction, the court must grant Defendants Motion and dismiss this case. TO SUMMARIZE; 24. Plaintiff has failed to establish, within the confines of the rule of Law, that;

Defendant John A. Reed is the true maker and creator of the alleged Mortgage & Note and, that the documentation supplied by Plaintiff is worthy and factual information regarding the Defendant John A. Reed and, that Defendant John A. Reed is in fact a forger and guilty of altering a Federally Regulated document(s) and that the transference of the Mortgage and Note, from its inception and throughout its purported assignment to Wells Fargo Bank NA., which occurs after the time of foreclosure inception, gives Plaintiff a legitimate claim of ownership by documentation of transference of title and/or is the legitimate Holder in Due Course of the alleged Mortgage and/or Note and, that Plaintiff actually suffers any harm to satisfy the U.S. Constitution Article IIIs standing requirements to have the ability to initiate suit as is required by the Real Party in Interest Rule. 25. Further, Defendant states that the lower courts summary of Plaintiffs specific monetary damages awards leaves Plaintiff free to charge any amount the Plaintiff deems adequate, without specificity, stripping Defendant of any and all proper defense against unwarranted charges. Defendant states that the lower courts decision, as stated, is so vague that it is legally ambiguous. Defendant also states that the Civil Court failed in their duty to present clarity as to respect of each and every counterclaim presented by Defendant. 26. Therefore, in this part 1 of this pleading, Defendant states that should the Court find the lower Court did err in their subject matter jurisdiction through Plaintiffs lack of standing position due to either/or ( 1.) the use of a post-dated assignment and/or, other documentation provided by Plaintiff, exhibits which are inconsistent with the plaintiff s allegations of material fact as to whom the real party in interest is and which cancel each other out, ( 2.) Plaintiffs inability to properly document and show and prove legal and just transference of the alleged Mortgage and Note from any one entity to any

other entity within the chronology of the alleged Note and Mortgage AND failure to do so within a viable chronology of the alleged Mortgage and Note from its inception to present and/or, ( 3.) Plaintiffs failure to satisfy Article IIIs requirement of being the injured party and/or ( 4.) the defacto conviction without trial of Defendant John A. Reed of forgery and the alteration of Federal Documents without charge, trial or due process and/or, ( 5.) Plaintiffs exhibits of both unclean hands and lack of proper due diligence and/or ( 6.) the lower courts abuse of judicial fiat in altering the alleged Mortgage and Note to change ownership of same from a Defendant John L. Reed to the Defendant John A. Reed and/or ( 7.) the validity of the altered Mortgage and Note itself, and/or ( 8.) the vagary used by the lower Court in granting Plaintiff carte blanche in monetary charges to be levied against Defendant, without specificity and, 27. Wherefore, because the Plaintiffs exhibits attached to their pleading are inconsistent with Plaintiffs allegations as to ownership of the subject note a mortgage, those allegations are neutralized and Plaintiffs complaint is rendered objectionable. Plaintiff has failed to establish itself as the real party in interest and court did lack subject matter jurisdiction to hear same. Defendant John A. Reed does request this Court to (1) dismiss this case with prejudice in its entirety, (2) sustain Defendants expressed defamation and libel charges, stated elsewhere within this pleading, (3) award Defendant any monetary reward the Court deems fit and proper for loss of employment (since foreclosure inception in perpetuity) in his stated profession; plus for emotional, physical and psychological pain & suffering; plus any and all costs associated with the defense of this suit, and (4) order Plaintiff, with prejudice, to immediately cause to be released its alleged mortgage against the subject property and award any and all cost and Legal Fees (in their entirety) that Plaintiffs Attys should/would have collected in the case to Defendant.

PART II COUNTERCLAIMS: 28. Alternatively, should the Court find Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank NA. to have just cause and righteous ability to proceed with foreclosure action against Defendant and rightful property owner John A. Reed, the Defendant is right and proper to bring, at this time and within this Court, the following affirmative Counter Claims and Claims. * Defendants Affirmative Counter Claims & Claims Presented in This Case 29. Defendant John A. Reed incorporates, by reference to this case from its inception, all of the preceding and foregoing allegations and defenses proffered, in and to the entirety of, and included within each and every of Defendants answers, pleadings and Counterclaims, as in regard to the Complaint in its entirety and from its inception, and respectfully requests answer on each and every claim and counterclaim in specificity. 30. Defendant John A. Reed asserts multiple cause of actions against Wells Fargo Bank and its co-contributors/assigns/agents and counsel under the FDCPA, Ohio RICO, Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act , Hoepa, TILA, FDIC Law, Regulations, Related Acts, Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Corrupt Activities Statute seeking relief as prescribed in those acts. Such claims arise, not only from the mortgage loan transaction that was subject of this Wells Fargos foreclosure action, but also from misrepresentations by Wells Fargo Bank and its counsel during these foreclosure proceedings. Defendant states and has repeatedly stated Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank does lack standing to bring this suit upon Defendant. Consequently, prior to the courts previous action, Defendant did not even know who was the true holder and owner of the alleged Note & Mortgage, and still does not, so like a claim for abuse of process, the FDCPA Ohio RICO, Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act , Hoepa, TILA, FDIC Law, Regulations, Related Acts and the and Ohio Corrupt Activities claims were not required to be raised during the foreclosure

actions (even assuming the foreclosure courts would have entertained them), but may be asserted in the present case instead. HOLDER IN DUE COURSE 31. The Holder in Due Course Defense is well-established in bankruptcy practice. To quote (and incorporate as if my own) Bert Ely, a longtime analyst of the financial services industry and a scholar at the conservative Cato Institute who was among the first to predict the S&L scandal of the 1980s, this is well-established in bankruptcy practice, that you have to properly perfect the security interest, and if you havent, youre screwed.
Securitization ostensibly provides a source of capital so that more home loans are available to borrowers. However, the series of corporate and banking transactions that make up securitization cannot be permitted to avoid liability by those who are actually providing the funding _ and often controlling the transaction. See Kurt Eggert, Held up in Due Course: Predatory Lending, Securitization, and the Holder in Due Course Doctrine, 35 Creighton L. Rev. 503 (2002).

32. If such basic legalities arent adhered to, a homeowner could pay his or her way out of a foreclosure jam only to wind up in another when a new plaintiff emerges claiming to own the debt. Mortgage lending and servicing is a matter of dotting the Is and crossing the Ts. Thats what puts the discipline in the process. Bert Ely. 33. Plaintiff attaches documents to its complaint that conflict with the allegations of material facts in the complaint in which the plaintiff claims that it owns the Note and Mortgage by virtue of two post-created and post-recorded assignments. These allegations conflict with the alleged mortgage and note attached to the complaint that identifies Option One Mortgage Corporation, as the lender with the original security interest. These allegations therefore constitute serious misrepresentations and could be construed as a fraud upon the court. 34. For a more complete list of financial instrument transference violations and inconsistencies please see attached; Exhibit A Tracking The Mortgage Chronology.

35.Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank Na. brings fraud into the Court with its allegations of ownership of alleged Mortgage & Note as per Legal requirement which states U.C.C. - 3-203 (b) Transfer of an instrument, whether or not the transfer is a negotiation, vests in the transferee any right of the transferor to enforce the instrument, including any right as a holder in due course, but the transferee cannot acquire rights of a holder in due course by a transfer, directly or indirectly, from a holder in due course if the transferee engaged in fraud or illegality affecting the instrument. such fraud being not only the fraudulent and libelous misrepresentation of Defendant by Plaintiff in the creation of the Note and Mortgage, but the fraudulent misrepresentation as it pertains to each and every purported transference of the subject note and mortgage and is exemplified (singularly, but not wholly) by the sale, as is referenced within Plaintiffs evidence titled Purchase Price and Terms Agreement (Plaintiffs Exhibit 25) which purports the transference of ownership of the mortgage and note from Option One Mortgage Co. to Barclays Bank. This same document is dated June 10 th, 2005. This date is one day after the alleged creation of the mortgage & note, yet Plaintiffs evidence of assignment (see Exhibit J) from H&R Block to Option One Mortgage Co. is dated four months AFTER Plaintiff alleges to have sold same mortgage and note to Barclays Bank and AFTER Option One has that same note into the TRUST (which, consequently wasnt even created yet!) without yet having Legal possession of same at time of sale as is evidenced by the date of Plaintiffs Assignment from H&R Block to Option One Mortgage Co. 36. Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank N.A. brings fraud into the Court with its allegations of ownership of alleged Mortgage & Note as per Legal requirements with Plaintiffs Exhibit #25 titled Purchase Price and Terms Agreement which bears a place for signature, but is unsigned and unindorsed as is required, U.C.C. 3-203 (c) Unless otherwise agreed, if an instrument is transferred for value and the transferee does

not become a holder because of lack of indorsement by the transferor, the transferee has a specifically enforceable right to the unqualified indorsement of the transferor, but negotiation of the instrument does not occur until the indorsement is made. As such, this transference of instrument is rendered incomplete and thus void. Please see Defendants Exhibit A TRACKING THE MORTGAGE CHRONOLOGY for a more complete list of Securities transfers and fraudulent security transaction violations. 37. Further, Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank NA. claims to be the holder in due course of the alleged Note & Mortgage referenced within this pleading and as such has supplied much information that purports to verify same, yet Plaintiffs own exhibit submissions prove otherwise. In fact, Plaintiffs document production proves only that Plaintiff MAY have, at best, been pledged the alleged debt but had not actually yet transferred the alleged debt and as such Plaintiff does lack Legal standing to initiate this foreclosure suit and the Civil Court did lack the right to hear same case for lack of subject matter Jurisdiction. SeeExhibit A Tracking the Chronology Of The Mortgage. In foreclosure actions, the real party in interest is the current holder of the note and mortgage.
Chase Manhattan Mtge. Corp. v. Smith, Hamilton App. No. C- 061069, 2007-Ohio-5874, at 18; Kramer v. Millott (Sept. 23, 1994), Erie App. No. E-94-5 (because the plaintiff did not prove that she was the holder of the note and mortgage, she did not establish herself as a real party in interest). A party who fails to establish itself as the current holder is not entitled to judgment as a matter of law. First Union Natl. Bank v. Hufford (2001), 146 Ohio App.3d 673, 677, 679-680. Thus, in Hufford, the Third District No. 07AP-615 5 Court of Appeals reversed a grant of summary judgment where a purported mortgagee failed to produce sufficient evidence explaining or demonstrating its right to the note and mortgage at issue. In that case, the record contained only "inferences and bald assertions" and no "clear statement or documentation" proving that the original holder of the note and mortgage transferred its interest to the appellee. Id. at 678. The failure to prove who was the real party in interest created a genuine issue of material fact that precluded summary judgment. Id. at 679-680. {13} Similarly, in Washington Mut. Bank, F.A. v. Green (2004), 156 Ohio App.3d 461, the Seventh District Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's finding of summary judgment where the plaintiff failed to prove that it was the holder of the note and mortgage. There, the defendant executed a note and mortgage in favor of Check 'n Go Mortgage Services, not Washington Mutual Bank, F.A. Although Washington Mutual Bank, F.A. submitted an affidavit alleging an interest in the note and mortgage, it did not state how or when it acquired that interest. Id. at 467. The court concluded that this lack of

evidence defeated the purpose of Civ.R. 17(A) by exposing the defendant to the danger that multiple "holders" would seek foreclosure based upon the same note and mortgage. Id.

38. The loan Originators also cannot appear in Court and claim their right to foreclose because they would be in violation of securities laws for not transferring the loan to the Trust when they were supposed to yet sold securities based on same.

Transference of Ownership of Note Without Due Process 39. Plaintiff, through pleadings and judicial fiat or other devices, has transferred ownership of the Note & Mortgage from named Defendant John L. Reed (the alleged Father of Defendant John A. Reed) to the owner of the property (Defendant John A. Reed) by stating, as fact, that Defendant John A. Reed did forge his Fathers signature on the Original Note & Mortgage and subsequent mortgage loan application. Defendant John A. Reed refutes these allegations for these reasons (or lack thereof);

40. There is no motivation that would cause this action to be of any value whatsoever to Defendant John A. Reed OR Defendants Father John L. Reed. Defendant John A. Reeds Credit Status and rating were solely used in the mortgage note creation (Exhibit C) and Defendant John A. Reeds Social Security number, used solely, appears throughout all of the mortgage creation documentation provided by Plaintiff. As can clearly be seen from the Credit Report of Defendant John A. Reed, there would be no advantage in using Defendant John L. Reeds name without also the use of Defendant John L. Reeds Credit Rating, which was not used, nor was Defendant John L. Reeds good name used as a Co-maker of the Note. Lower Courts have previously ruled and Plaintiffs have agreed that Defendant John A. Reeds Father, Defendant John L. Reed, was in fact not a party to the creation of this note.

41. Of key importance is the undisputed fact that all of the original loan origination forms, applications and documentation were constructed in their entirety at Plaintiffs place of business H&R Block Mortgage, 4520 Seedling Circle, Tampa, Florida 33614, to which Defendant John A. Reed had no access in spite of Plaintiffs Counsels aspersions otherwise and thereby any accusations otherwise are unfounded and libelous se to the Character of Defendant John A. Reed and carry imputations of criminal conduct and allegations that are injurious to Defendant in his chosen and established profession. Plaintiffs Counsel committed this offense mens re, attempting to alter the Courts opinion of the Defendant to one of a lesser value and in so doing prejudice the Court against Defendant, but in so doing, Plaintiff did cause to be published onto the Internet the charges indicated above and within the information Technology age we now live in, that same information was instantly disseminated Globally by data mining companies world wide, ie. Lexis-Nexus and many others.

Abuses in the Mortgage Foreclosure Process 42. Abuses in Ohios mortgage foreclosure process have been documented in previous decisions of this Court. In In re Foreclosure Cases, 2007 WL 3232430 (N.D. Ohio October 31, 2007), Judge Boyko found the foreclosure process was a quasimonopolistic system in which financial institutions, unchallenged by under financed opponents, disregard the requirements of the judicial process and instead rush to foreclose, obtain a default judgment and then sit on the deed, avoiding responsibility for maintaining the property while reaping the benefits of interest running on the judgment. Id. at *2. I. FAILURE OF PLAINTIFF TO PROVE OWNERSHIP OF THE NOTE

43. In trial Court, in the attempt to prove Defendant John A. Reed was in fact the originator of the note, and had, in their own libelous words forged his Fathers signature (see: Wells Fargo Bank Motion For Summary Judgment) Plaintiff produced an alleged Original Mortgage document and then did ask Defendant John A. Reed if in fact the signature affixed onto the document was indeed his signature, to which Defendant John A. Reed did testify with 23 years of computer graphics experience I can not honestly say that this is my signature .. it appears to have been made by either a felt tip pen or an ink jet printer. 44. Defendant John A. Reed wishs the Courts to understand that within context of the arena of Computer Graphics, this question and answer deserves examination because if ones signature is copied from one document and pasted onto another, it is not a legal & binding signature! 45. Computer graphics software has been around for 20 or more years that gives the user, even the most novice of user, the ability to cut or copy a picture and/or a piece of a picture, any/or all or any part of any or all text or any part of or an entire signature from any one piece of information and then to paste it onto any other piece of information, in whole or in part (see Exhibit B, page 2 for an example of Copy/Pasted Signatures). Such an act is a simple and routine part of todays computing environment, and every business class Word Processing program (i.e. Microsofts Word or Corels WordPerfect) or spreadsheet program (ie. Microsofts Excel or Corels Quattro Pro) has this function embedded directly within them. Moreover, one must only go to one of the many Free Computer Software sites (ie. www.Download.com or www.TuCows.com ) and do an in-site search for Graphics to find free software that would allow any user to not only Copy & Paste a signature, but also to alter it in any

way imaginable, by the user, with such software being well within the budget of a close to $1 Trillion Dollar Company, such as Wells Fargo Bank NA. 46. Within the context of the above testimony and the experience level of Defendant, Defendants answer remains the same, but wants the Courts to understand that the signature on the document produced by Plaintiff was indeed a graphical reproduction of what appears to be Defendants signature, and/but, like a copy & pasted counterfeit dollar bill, the signature, which lacked even the impression of a ball point pen and which was also printed in the color of red, both specifically against Closing Agents instruction (see exhibit B Closing Agent Instructions line 6 All Closing Documents Must Be Signed In Black Ball Point Pen.) and was unlike each and every other document produced by Plaintiff purporting to bear the signature of Defendant, which were all signed in Black ink from a ball point pen, was also counterfeit. 47. Plaintiff failed in their legal requirement to prove beyond a reasonable doubt and with a clear and convincing preponderance of evidence that Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank did truly own the Promissory Note & Mortgage at the time of Foreclosure initiation (Burden of Production). Quite contrarily, the clear and convincing preponderance of evidence shows beyond any reasonable doubt that Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank did not, at the time of the Foreclosure inception and/or, even at present have/has any legal right to begin foreclosure proceeding against Defendant John A. Reed res ipsa loquitur. Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Byrd, 2008-Ohio-4603

48. The Supreme Court discussed how courts should allocate the burden of proof (i.e., the burden of persuasion) in Schaffer ex rel. Schaffer v. Weast, 546 U.S. 49 (2005). The Supreme Court explained that if a statute is silent about the burden of persuasion, the court will begin with the ordinary default rule that plaintiffs bear the risk of failing to

prove their claims. In support of this proposition, the Court 2 J. Strong, McCormick on Evidence 337, 412 (5th ed. 1999), which states: The burdens of pleading and proof with regard to most facts have been and should be assigned to
the plaintiff who generally seeks to change the present state of affairs and who therefore naturally should be expected to bear the risk of failure of proof or persuasion.

II. PLAINTIFFS EXPERT WITNESSES 49. In trial court, Plaintiff offered the testimony of one Dale Sugimoto, President of Option One Mortgage Corporation and NOT an employee of now defunct alleged mortgage originator H&R Block Mortgage Co., who did testify that there was indeed, on the books and records of Option One Mortgage Corp., a Mortgage and Note listed referencing one John L. Reed at the subject property address but could find no same listing in the name of John A. Reed and because he was not in the employ or present at the subject mortgage creation, such said testimony is, in this instance irrevalant and hearsay and as such should be stricken from the record. 50. In trial, Plaintiff also called on Hand Writing Expert witness Vickie Willard who then did testify that in her opinion the signatures occupying the alleged Mortgage & Note were indeed that of Defendant John A. Reed. Upon cross-examination though, Ms. Willard testified that there is no statistical evaluation of probability of her expertise and that her occupation is more an art than a quantified science. This fails the standard of Daubert v. Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993) which is best stated in;
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee,v. No. 01-4953 PATRICK LEROY CRISP

The opinions of experts upon handwriting, who testify from comparison only, are regarded by the courts as of uncertain value, because in so many cases where such evidence is received witnesses of equal honesty, intelligence and experience reach conclusions not only diametrically opposite, but always in favor of the party who called them. Please See attached The Daubert Factor

51. Plaintiffs Wells Fargo Bank has failed, in their legal requirement of burden of proof, to prove beyond a reasonable doubt and with a clear and convincing preponderance of evidence Defendant John A. Reed, as libelously stated as fact by

Plaintiff (see: Wells Fargo Bank Motion For Summary Judgment), did alter or forge ANY loan submission or documentation papers. 52. Plaintiff offers only unauthenticated evidence and speculation based on methodology that fails the Daubert factors, and is therefore impermissible and unreliable. 53. This Mortgage debt case before the Court, missing both testimony of a competent fact witness, one present at the time of loan origination, and authenticated, best evidence, denies the Court the ability to identify just what kind of case is before it, and therefore its powers have not been properly invoked. It lacks subject matter Jurisdiction. Proceeding from this point would constitute a fraud and the Judge would be a party to it. Plaintiff has failed in his burden of proof, that Defendant John A. Reed was, in fact, the actual Mortgager. Subject Matter Jurisdiction to hear a particular case comes from sufficiency of the pleadings. Additionally, to be allowed to precede the Court does violate due process. COUNT ONE Violations of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, 15 U,S,C. 1692e FDCPA Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act 54. This is an action on behalf of named Defendant John A. Reed. Defendant does allege that Wells Fargo Bank and its Counsel violated the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. 1692e, by making false, deceptive, or misleading representations in connection with the collection of debts, and engaged in a pattern of corrupt activity in violation of the Ohio Corrupt Activities statute, Ohio Rev. Code 2923.32 [hereinafter cited as R.C.].

55. Defendant John A. Reed incorporates by reference all of the proceeding and foregoing allegations in the entirety of Defendants answers & pleadings as in regard to the Complaint in its entirety and from its inception. 56. Federal Law prohibits the use of any false, deceptive, or misleading, representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt including the false representation of the character, amount, or legal status of any debt and the threat to take any action that cannot legally be taken 15 U.S.C. 1692e. 57. Foreclosing on Defendants home, the Plaintiff: A made false, deceptive and misleading representations concerning Wells Fargo Banks standing to sue the Defendant and its interest in the debt; B. falsely represented the status of the alleged debt, in particular, that it was due and owing to Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank at the time of suit initiation; C. falsely represented or implied that the alleged debt was owing to Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank as an innocent purchaser of value, when in fact, such an assignment had not been accomplished; D. threatened to and did take action, namely engaging in collection activities and collection and foreclosure suits as trustee that cannot legally be taken by them; and E. used this action to obtain access to Ohio state and Federal courts to collect on notes and foreclose on mortgages under false pretenses, namely that Wells Fargo Bank was duly authorized to engage in such activities in Ohio when in fact it was not. F. Plaintiff did involve, at length, Defendant John A. Reeds Father in the course of trying to collect this alleged debt, causing both his father and mother mental anguish and degraded health, while the mother was dying. G. The Plaintiff has sought collection fees or interest charges not permitted by the Mortgage and Note or State law ($107,000 supersedeas bond based on $98,000 (approx.) debt). H. Plaintiff Publicly, through printed documents, defamed and libeled Defendants good nature and Character.

58. Upon information and belief, Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank did not obtain and/or file an assignment of the alleged note or mortgage of the named Defendant until after the note was in default, for no consideration and also until after it had filed suit in its own name as the holder and/or owner of the note and mortgage; and that same alleged assignment came not from the true and actual holder in due course of ownership of the alleged Mortgage and Note, thereby making same assignment nothing more than a fraudulent and worthless misrepresentation of authority and ownership. 59. These violations of the FDCPA entitle Defendant to recover the actual damages they have sustained as a result of the improper filing of foreclosure suits, or alternative damages as are permitted by law, and costs and reasonable attorney fees.

COUNT TWO
Violations of the Ohio Rico Act

Ohio RICO, R.C. 2923.32 60. Defendant John A. Reed incorporates by reference all of the proceeding and foregoing allegations in the entirety of Defendants answers & pleadings as in regard to the Complaint in its entirety and from its inception. 61. Defendant John A. Reed alleges that: A. Wells Fargo Bank NA., acting as trustee for holders of mortgages and mortgage-backed securities, has filed thousands of foreclosure actions under false pretenses, without standing and without complying with Ohio law. B. Defendant alleges an improper taking of their real property through the Plaintiff use of intentional nondisclosure, material misrepresentation, and the creation of fraudulent loan documents in violation of the RICO Statute, and continuing injury and damages including the auction of their home and future overpayment of fraudulent charges.

C. These activities are a pattern of corrupt and illegal activity and in violation of Ohio RICO law. 62. Wells Fargo Bank N.A., has received millions, maybe Billions of dollars in distributions from the sale of foreclosed properties without possessing properly perfected and recorded assignments/transferences of the mortgages. Wells Fargo Bank N.A. 's "pattern and practice of seeking and obtaining foreclosure judgments in state and federal courts without a duly perfected and recorded assignment, without a true and accurate evidence of a chain of assignment/transference of these alleged notes and mortgages, and without the right to engage in the trust business in Ohio" constitutes a "false, deceptive and/or misleading representation or means" in connection with the collection of a debt; a violation of the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act as is referenced within the above two quotes, 15 USC Sec 1692e. 51. In addition, this suit alleges Wells Fargo Bank NA has failed to comply with Ohio requirements for a trust company or national bank to do business in Ohio. That the two named Ohio foreclosure law firms have also violated the FDCPA and RICO by acting on behalf of Wells Fargo Bank NA in the foreclosure process. 63. Defendant John A. Reed is seeking unspecified actual and statutory damages, including treble damages under Ohio RICO law, as well as attorney's fees and costs. Defendant John A. Reed also seeks the appointment of a receiver to recover from Wells Fargo Bank NA all charges it has collected from Defendant John A. Reed and any interests in real property it acquired illegally, and to collect fees that Wells Fargo Bank NA.s law firms obtained from illegal foreclosures. 64. The suit also names two Ohio foreclosure law firms as defendants: Plunkett Cooney 300 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43235 & Lerner Sampson & Rothfuss P.O. Box 5480, Cincinnati, Ohio 45201.

65. The suit also names two Ohio foreclosure law firms as defendants: Plunkett Cooney 300 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43235 & Lerner Sampson & Rothfuss P.O. Box 5480, Cincinnati, Ohio 45201. 66. The action stems from foreclosure of Defendant John A. Reeds property located at 7940 Guilford Dr., Dayton, Ohio 45414 whose alleged mortgage had been allegedly sold, securitized, divided and then pooled without Defendants permission. 67. Ohio RICO states that No person, through a corrupt pattern of corrupt activity shall acquire or maintain, directly or indirectly, any interest in, or control of, any real property. R.C 2923.32(A)(2). 68. Corrupt Activity includes engaging in a violation of section 2921.03 of the Revised Code. 69. Section 2921.03 of the revised Code states that No person, knowingly and by filing, recording, or otherwise using a a materially false or fraudulent writing in a wanton or reckless manner, shall attempt to influence a public servant in the discharge of the persons duty. 70. Defendant states the Plaintiff has violated Section 2921.03 by knowingly filing complaints which do allege Wells Fargo Banks ownership of promissory notes and mortgages when in fact it does not own the alleged notes or mortgages, and by knowingly filing multiple complaints (see Exhibits D, K) as trustee in reckless disregard of the fact that Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank was not authorized to engage in such activities both as trustee in Ohio and for lack of standing. These filings were made in a wanton and reckless manner in an attempt to influence state and federal judges and judicial officers in Ohio to enter judgments against Defendant(s) on the alleged mortgage and Note, including for principal, interest, late fees, penalties, costs and attorney fees, and to foreclose on Defendants property in a wanton attempt at unjust enrichment.

71. The Plaintiffs conduct constitutes a pattern of corrupt activity, because they have maintained more than two lawsuits under the fraudulent and misleading circumstances described in the foregoing paragraphs. On information and belief, the defendants have filed thousands of foreclosure complaints in violation of R.C. 2923.32 see Exhibits Q, T, S. 72. Through the filing of foreclosure actions under false pretense and in violation of U.S. Law, U.C.C., SEC and Ohio Law, and/or any other applicable and\or Local Laws, Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank, with the active assistance and participation of the plaintiff law firms herein named, has acquired an interest in real property, including obtaining a foreclosure action against Defendants property. 73. As a result of Plaintiff and Plaintiffs Counsels conduct, the Defendant has been injured in many various ways, including loss of time to conduct Defendants Profession of choice due to Defendants lack of ability to obtain knowledgeable and available Legal Counsel and Defendants forced placement into Defending himself pro se, through penalties and court costs and attorney fees charged against their account(s) on lawsuit(s) filed under false and misleading circumstances, and from other incidental and consequential costs and expenses attendant to the defending of their property. 74. Section 2923.34 of the Revised Code entitles Defendant John A. Reed who has established the elements of Ohio RICO violation to an order divesting Wells Fargo Bank NA of its interest in Defendants real property and to actual damages Defendant has sustained, which may be tripled if proved by clear and convincing evidence, and to costs and reasonable attorney fees. 75. The Defendant further states, and does move the Court, pursuant to sec. 2929.34(B)(1) of the Ohio RICO Statute, to order Wells Fargo Bank NA divestiture in

any interest in Defendants real property and also moves the court, pursuant to sec. 2929.34(D) of the Statute, for an order of injunctive relief and a temporary injunction. 76. It is without dispute or issue that a claim under the Ohio RICO statute was not presented by Defendant John A. Reed or litigated in the civil-court foreclosure action, because of Plaintiffs misrepresentation of both true owner AND of true maker of mortgage and note, Defendant could have not brought such claim in civil court. Defendants have properly brought the claim as part of their Appellate action herein pursuant to the doctrine of Pendent or Supplemental jurisdiction, 28 USC sec. 1367(a). The Ohio RICO statute is a state law, which authorizes the specific relief requested by the Defendant. As such, Defendants claims which attack the foreclosure are not barred by the Rooker-Feldman doctrine. Smith v Encore Credit 4:08-cv-1462 USDC, N. Oh. W. Dist Judge McHargh COUNT THREE Violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. 1681n and 1681o)

Civil liability for Willful and Negligent Noncompliance 77. Defendant John A. Reed incorporates by reference all of the proceeding and
foregoing allegations in the entirety of Defendants answers & pleadings as in regard to the Complaint in its entirety and from its inception.

1681n. Civil liability for willful noncompliance 78. (a) In general. Defendant states Plaintiff , through improper filings, pleadings and motions, filed fraudulently, in bad faith, and with the purpose of harassment, necessitated entirely by their own lack of Due Diligence and other stated actions, did in fact cause harm to Defendant by willfully committing negligent enablement

of Identity fraud and as such did fail to comply with the requirements imposed under this title and is liable to Defendant in an amount equal to the sum of (1) any actual damages sustained by Defendant as a result of the failure or damages. (2) such amount of punitive damages as the court may allow; and (3) in the case of any successful action to enforce any liability under this section, the costs of the action together with reasonable attorney' s fees as determined by the court. (c) Attorney's fees. Upon a finding by the court that an unsuccessful pleading, motion, or other paper filed in connection with an action under this section was filed in bad faith or for purposes of harassment, the court shall award to the prevailing arty attorney' s fees reasonable in relation to the work expended in responding to the pleading, motion, or other paper. COUNT FOUR Violations of the Universal Commercial Code Violation of U.C.C 3-203 79 Defendant states that as is required in U.C.C. - 3-203 ( c) and evidenced by Plaintiffs exhibits, throughout each and every proposed change of ownership of the alleged mortgage & note Plaintiff exhibits no evidence whatsoever of proper and final Indorsement of note from or to any other person or entity. Defendant states that throughout the entirety of the purported passage of this alleged mortgage and note from any one entity to another, there is not one signature properly indorsing any of the documents thereby voiding any and all purported transference of same to any and/or all of Plaintiffs assigns and even to Plaintiff themselves. Plaintiffs act of delivering into the Court these fraudulent documents constitutes misrepresentation and fraud and in Defendants knowledge and belief Plaintiff has constituted this same fraud upon the Courts in thousands if not tens of thousands of cases and as such Plaintiffs callous and repeated action does fall within the guidelines of the RICO (racketeering) act.

80. Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank N.A., brings fraud into the Court with its allegations of ownership of Proper Mortgage & Note through its disassembly and subsequent division of Note between the varying entities, Option One Mortgage Corp., Mortgage Ramp Inc., the Trust and Wells Fargo Bank in violation of U.C.C. - 3-203 (d) If a transferor purports to transfer less than the entire instrument, negotiation of the instrument does not occur. The transferee obtains no rights under this Article and has only the rights of a partial assignee. Defendant states the very act of splitting the Original Note & Mortgage, so that the maker Bank, Option One, insures to investers by guaranteeing to replace the note in the event of a Credit event as described and required in section 2.03 of The Pooling & Servicing Agreement Exhibit J (plaintiffs Exhibit 18) Section 2.03 Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Responsible Party and the Servicer; Remedies for Breaches of Representations and Warranties with Respect to the Mortgage Loans. Option One Mortgage Corporation, in its capacity as Servicer, hereby makes the representations and warranties set forth in Schedule II hereto to the Depositor and the Trustee, as of the Closing Date.

And as such did effectively act to void and destroy the original note and mortgage, as it was created between Defendant and Original Lender, and as such does render it, from that point forward, to become null and void and Defendant moves the court to find same. 81. The above does indeed show that, If Plaintiffs representation of chain of ownership occurred as represented, the mortgage and note did have the risk removed and/or separated at the time of placement of the Note into The Trust by Option One in the promise that said Risk would be retained by Option One, in their attempt at warranting or guaranteeing the Note. Such actions constitute a violation of agreement between the Defendant (as maker of the alleged note) and Plaintiff, and in fact, do void

the alleged note in its entirety and also clearly demonstrate insurance fraud being practiced by a Corporation that is not licensed to practice insurance. 82. Additionally plaintiff makes allegations in its complaint that conflict with the documents attached thereto as to who owned the subject note and at which particular time. 83. When exhibits are inconsistent with the plaintiff s allegations of material fact as to whom the real party in interest is, such allegations cancel each other out. 84. Because the facts revealed by Plaintiff s exhibit are inconsistent with Plaintiff s allegations as to its ownership of the subject note and mortgage, those allegations are neutralized and Plaintiff s complaint is rendered objectionable. 85. The Plaintiff in this action meets none of the required criteria. Because the

exhibit attached to Plaintiff s complaint is inconsistent with Plaintiff s allegations as to ownership of the subject alleged promissory note and mortgage, Plaintiff has failed to establish itself as the real party in interest and has failed to state a cause of action. 86. The Defendants recognize the precedent set in regarding the assignment of a mortgage. However as the Second District Court of Appeals has noted, standing requires that the party prosecuting the action have a sufficient stake in the outcome and that the party bringing the claim be recognized in the law as being a real party in interest entitled to bring the claim as of the date of the commencement of the action. The plaintiff s failure to meet the standing requirements as of the commencement of this foreclosure action renders the complaint fatally defective and, therefore constitutes misrepresentation as to who the Plaintiff really is. The assignment cannot post date the filing of this action if assignment does not relate back to the commencement of the litigation.

87.

The Plaintiff, in its complaint alleges that it owns the Note and

Mortgage however it has failed to produce the material evidence required to support its claim. In the absence of this evidence the Plaintiff is clearly and fraudulently misrepresenting themselves as the real party in interest and the holder in due course with legal standing to bring this cause of action against the defendant. 88. The Plaintiff alleges that it is the holder in due course on the subject

alleged mortgage and note, yet it is the belief of the Defendant that the note was part of a larger securitizations process and sold to several un-named parties and beneficial owners, and any claims by Plaintiff, in the absence of true, just, legal and convincing evidence that proves Plaintiff is the true holder in due course of the Mortgage and Note AND holds the original alleged Mortgage and Note, endorsed to Plaintiff, are a clear misrepresentation of the material facts and are fraud brought into the Court. 89. It is the position of the Defendant that if the courts were to allow a

Plaintiff to bring a cause of action in a scenario where the Plaintiff alleges that it owns a certain note and mortgage but fails to provide required evidence to the courts that this, in fact is true, the courts would be forced to open the door to incredible harm to any homeowner whose home is secured by a mortgage. 90. If the court were to allow the Plaintiff in this case to prevail in light of

serious misrepresentation and fraud upon the court, it would result in a major and unconscionable injustice to the Defendant. The Court should not and cannot be in a position of enabling Plaintiff and its attorneys to commit material misrepresentation or felony crimes. COUNT FIVE Violations of Ohio Deceptive Trade Practices Act R.C. CHAPTER 4165: DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES

91. Defendant John A. Reed incorporates by reference all of the proceeding and foregoing allegations in the entirety of Defendants answers & pleadings as in regard to the Complaint in its entirety and from its inception. 92. Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank Na. and/or their assigns/co-conspirators have damaged Defendant while violating chapter 4165: Deceptive Trade Practices Act by; A. passing off the services of others as if they were of their own, B. causing a likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding as to the source, sponsorship, approval, or certification of goods or services; C. causing likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding as to affiliation, connection, or association with, or certification by, another; D. using deceptive representations or designations of geographic origin in connection with goods or services; E. representing that goods or services have sponsorship, approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, benefits, or quantities that they do not have or that a person has a sponsorship, approval, status, affiliation, or connection that the person does not have; F. representing that goods or services were of a particular standard, quality, or grade, or that goods were of a particular style or model, if they are of another; G. disparaging the goods, services, or business of another by false representation of fact H. advertising their goods or services with intent not to sell them as advertised F. making false statements of fact concerning the reasons for, existence of, or amounts of price reductions

93. Defendant states Plaintiff, through misrepresentation and deception in the creation of the alleged mortgage and in the subsequent improper filings, pleadings and motions, which are fraudulently filed in bad faith, and filed with the purpose of harassment, and necessitated entirely by their own lack of Due Diligence and other stated

actions, has damaged Defendant by willfully violating chapter 4165.01 of the Deceptive trade practices Act, and as such, Defendant is entitled to an award of injunctive relief as is stated in R.C. 4165.03. Plaintiff did fail to comply with the requirements imposed under this title and is liable to Defendant to an award of attorneys fees and pursuant to R.C. 4165.03 C, The civil relief provided in this section is in addition to civil or criminal remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other sections of the Revised Code. COUNT SIX Violations of Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act R.C. Chapter 1345, the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (CSPA) Violations 94. Defendant John A. Reed incorporates by reference all of the proceeding and foregoing allegations in the entirety of Defendants answers & pleadings as in regard to the Complaint in its entirety and from its inception. 95. Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank NA. did violate Defendant John A. Reeds rights under the Ohio Sales Protection Act (CSPA) specifically; a. Through fraudulent and misrepresentative representation of their Good,. Fair, Just & Legal Mortgage Loan offering and then b. by coercing Defendant to become enjoined into the same above referenced alleged Mortgage and note of many misrepresentations, irregularities and illegalities, and c. by Plaintiffs Agents initial representation of Subject alleged Mortgage & Note as being just a temporary step, with the promise of refinancing of same within the next 2 year period, after improvements and additions to subject property were completed , which Defendant has already done, and

d. with the full knowledge that Defendant was deriving his only income from same and then in the failing of that refinancing action, which directly caused the commencement of this action, Plaintiff engaged itself in a classic action of Predatory Lending. 96. Plaintiff has forced Defendant to endure thousands of hours of research and defense document preparation time, thus depriving Defendant of his most valued possession, that of his time, which he then could have and would have converted to the pursuit of maintaining his daily normal and routine lifestyle. And also the degradation of Defendants emotional, mental, psychological and physical health through the enormous stress and emotional strain of fighting a predatory giant such as Wells Fargo N.A.. COUNT SEVEN Violation of O.R.C 1345.0 97. Defendant John A. Reed incorporates by reference all of the proceeding and foregoing allegations in the entirety of Defendants answers & pleadings as in regard to the Complaint in its entirety and from its inception. 98. Plaintiff has caused injury to Defendant by committing an unconscionable act within the definition of ORC 1345.03 (A) by bringing this foreclosure suit against Defendant while lacking legal standing to do so. 99. Plaintiff has caused injury to Defendant by committing an unconscionable act within the definition of ORC 1345.03(B)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6). Further, as in 20050331. Whitaker v. M.T. Automotive, Inc. 2006-Ohio-5481, which states; a consumer who is harmed by a supplier's unfair or deceptive trade practices is entitled to recover not only actual economic losses, but also non-economic damages that result from the CSPA violations. In a 5-1 decision, the Court held further that actual damages proven by a consumer, whether economic or non-economic, are subject to trebling when the offending practice had previously been identified as deceptive or unconscionable by rule or in a court decision.

100. Defendants state that treble damages are warranted in this case as this is one of thousands of publicly known instances of same and as such I attach exhibit L & Y titled Previous Sanctions against Wells Fargo Bank N.A. and exhibits, P, Q, T, U titled Recent Rulings Against Wells Fargo Bank N.A.. COUNT EIGHT Violation of U.S. Constitution Article III 101. Because Plaintiffs did not demonstrate, nor could they demonstrate, that their members suffered or were likely to suffer an injury in fact, they fail to meet U.S. Const. Article III standing requirements which read; a plaintiff must show: (1) it has suffered an injury in fact that is concrete and particularized and actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical; (2) the injury is fairly traceable to the challenged action of the defendant; and (3) it is likely, as opposed to merely speculative, that the injury will be redressed by a favorable decision. (Lexis-Nexus Headnotes) Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank, National Association As Trustee For Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC-2006OP1 Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2006-OP1, as its name (Mortgage Pass-Through) implies, is merely a conduit that suffers no loss or injury as required. A Conduit can never suffer a loss or be injured as it must immediately pass gains or losses to Investors who are (if there are to be any at all) the true injured partynot the Servicer, not the Trustee and not the Pass-Through Trust itself. (NOTE: lack of standing, fraud on the Court & unclean hands)
.

102. Without standing, this Court lacks subject-matter jurisdiction. Lack of

jurisdiction may not be waived and may be raised, by a party or sua sponte by the court, at any time. Without jurisdiction, the court must grant Defendants Motion .

COUNT NINE Truth In Lending Act Violations TILA 103. Defendant John A. Reed incorporates by reference all of the proceeding and
foregoing allegations in the entirety of Defendants answers & pleadings as in regard to the Complaint in its entirety and from its inception.

104. Under the facts otherwise identified elsewhere within this action and at hand

Defendant did correctly, reasonable and legally rely on the mortgage broker and the Plaintiff to act fairly with him. Defendant has been harmed and Plaintiff has patently violated not only the Truth in Lending Act, at all relevant times, but also the spirit of the Truth and Lending Act . The Plaintiffs broker, closing agent and the Lender/Bank each, in their own parts, has misled, obfuscated, shirked from their proper Due Diligence and attempted to confuse Defendant in their practice and pattern and pursuit of their own unjust enrichment, to whit; i. The Plaintiff has caused injury to Defendant and did not provide appropriate disclosure as required by the Truth in Lending Act in a substantive and technical manner,
Pursuant to regulations promulgated under Truth in Lending Act, violator of disclosure requirements is held to standard of strict liability, and therefore, borrower need not show that creditor in fact deceived biro by making substandard disclosures. Truth in Lending Act, Sections 102-186, as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601-1667(e); Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z, Section 226,8(b-d), 15 U.S.C. Section 1700 Soils v. Fidelity Consumer Discount Co., 58 B.R. 983,

ii.

Given the ease of Plaintiffs availability to verify Defendants actual income, or lack thereof, and Defendants lack of ability to change any documentation through sheer geography (if nothing else!, recall, Id also have to break into both their building and computing systems, alter documents both physically and electronically and then get away!) it is obvious by fact that the Bank did alter and falsify Application documentation to reflect elevated income levels for Defendant thereby falsely representing the material fact that Defendant was employed when in fact Defendant, previously had no full time employment, at time of Loan creation, nor had any previous full time employment for a period extending approximately 4 years prior to mortgage loan creation, and

exhibit Employment Verification clearly shows employment verification was not even accomplished (if ever!), which speaks to due diligence, until June 13, 2005, some four days AFTER alleged mortgage loan closing and payout date. Such action clearly demonstrates to the Court, Plaintiffs conduct and character as to its claim to have previously sold same said Mortgage and Note on June 10th 2005 , three days previous to loan verification, to Barclays Bank representing to same, and at that time, as fact, that the Mortgage and Note had already received review and required Due Diligence had already been performed on it, when it is an undisputable fact, that it had not.
Any false representation of material facts made with knowledge of falsity and with intent that it shall be acted on by another in entering into contract, and which is so acted upon, constitutes fraud, and entitles party deceived to avoid contract or recover damages. Barnsdall Refining Corn. v. Birnam wood Oil Co., 92 F 2d 8

iii.

The Plaintiff has caused injury to Defendant and did fraudulently represent to Defendant a witnessed promise of future refinancing of same alleged loan to Defendant after prepayment penalty date had elapsed and future additions and alterations to property were finalized (thereby increasing equitable value of property), which Defendant did complete, as incentive in making the loan and thereby assuring Defendant of a future income with which to make future payments attainable,
If any part of the consideration for a promise be illegal, or if there are several considerations for an unseverable promise one of which is illegal, the promise, whether written or oral, is wholly void, as it is impossible to say what part or which one of the considerations induced the promise. Menominee River Co. v. Augustus Spies L & C Co., 147 Wis 559, 572; 132 NW 1122

iv.

The Plaintiff did supply Defendant with blank application documentation for signature and return, later filing in the amounts,
It is not necessary for recession of a contract that the party making the misrepresentation should have known that it was false, but recovery is allowed even though misrepresentation is innocently made, because it would be unjust to allow one who made false representations, even innocently, to retain the fruits of a bargain induced by such representations. Whipp v. Iverson, 43 Wis 2d 166.

v.

The Plaintiff has caused injury to Defendant and did fraudulently, and with previous knowledge, alter and/or change the documentation to reflect Defendant had an ability to repay this alleged Note & Mortgage without future refinancing of same when in fact and to their knowledge he had none,

Any violation of the Truth in Lending Act, regardless of technical nature, must result in finding of liability against lender. Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z Section 226.1 et seq., 15 U.S.C. Section 1700; Truth in Lending Act Section 130 (a, e), IS U.S.C. Section 1640 (a, e). In Re Steinbrecher. 110 BR. 155, 116 A.L.R. Fed. 881.

vi.

The Plaintiff has caused injury to Defendant and did fraudulently alter the Loan Documents to represent the real party of interest to be Defendants Father in an attempt to obfuscate true ownership to force real holder of property to face additional burden of Defending his legitimate position at the time of intentional and pre-ordained foreclosure by Plaintiff,
The contract is void if it is only in part connected with the illegal transaction and the promise single or entire. Guardian Agency v. Guardian Mutual. Savings Bank, 227 Wis 550, 279 NW 83.

vii.

The Plaintiff has caused injury to Defendant and did fraudulently misrepresent accurate amounts financed, percentage rates and finance charges on Truth In Lending Document. See Exhibit Z
Question of whether lender's Truth in Lending Act disclosures are inaccurate, misleading or confusing ordinarily will be for fact finder; however, where confusing, misleading and inaccurate character of disputed disclosure is so clear that it cannot reasonably be disputed, summary judgment for plaintiff is appropriate. Truth in Lending Act Section 102 et seq; Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z, Section 226.1 et seq., 15 U.S.C. Section 1700. Griggs v. Provident Consumer Discount Co. 503 F, Supp 246, appeal dismissed 672 F.2d 903, appeal after remand 680 F.2d 927, certiorari granted, vacated 103 S.Ct, 400, 459 U.S. 56, 74 L.Ed.2d 225, on remand 699 E2d 642.

viii.

The Banks closing Agent did rush Defendant through the closing process with a claim of being late to catch her plane, thus depriving Defendant of any available time to review closing documents.
Once a creditor violates the Truth In Lending Act, no matter how technical violation appears, unless one of statutory defenses applies, Court has no discretion in imposing liability. Truth in Lending Act, Sections 102-186 as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601-1667e. Solis v. Fidelity Consumer Discount Co. 58 BR, 983.

105. For more Pertinent TILA case Law, see attached Truth In Lending Act Case Law

COUNT TEN Home Owners Equity Protection Act HOEPA Violations 106. Defendant John A. Reed incorporates by reference all of the proceeding and foregoing allegations in the entirety of Defendants answers & pleadings as in regard to the Complaint in its entirety and from its inception.

107. In General -The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (HOEPA or the Act) amended TILA by adding Section 129 of TILA, 15 U.S.C. 1639, and has been implemented by Sections 226.31 and 226.32 of Regulation Z. 12 C.F.R. 226.31 and 226.32. HOEPA was implemented to specifically curb the predatory lending practices of certain sub-prime lenders. Generally, the Act provides added protections to borrowers who obtain more high-cost loans in the sub-prime market.

108. In the course of offering and extending credit to Defendant, Wells Fargo Bank through their assigns, specifically Option One Mortgage Co., and H&R Block mortgage Corp. (now defunct) has caused injury to Defendant and have violated HOEPA regulations by engaging in asset-based lending and including loan terms prohibited by HOEPA. Specifically:

A. Plaintiff has caused injury to Defendant and has violated the requirements of HOEPA and Regulation Z by engaging in a pattern or practice of extending such credit to a borrower based solely on the borrower's collateral rather than considering the borrower's current and expected income, current obligations, and employment status to determine whether the borrower is able to make the scheduled payments to repay the obligation, in violation of Section 129(h) of TILA, 15 U.S.C. 1639(h),

and Section 226.32(e)(1) of Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. 226.32(e)(1), 226.34;

Truth in Lending Act was passed to prevent unsophisticated consumer from being misled as to total cost of financing. Truth in Lending Act, Section 102, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601. Griggs v. Provident Consumer Discount. 680 F.2d 927, certiorari granted, vacated 103 S.Ct. 400, 459 U.S. 56, 74 L.Ed.2d 225, on remand 699 F.2d 642. 2. Purpose of Truth in Lending Act is for customers to be able to make informed decisions. Truth in Lending Act Section 102, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601. Griggs v. Provident Consumer Discount Co. 680 F.2d 927, certiorari granted, vacated 103 S.Ct. 400, 459 U.S. 56, 74 L.Ed,2d 225, on remand 699 F,2d 642,

B. Plaintiff has caused injury to Defendant and has violated the requirements of HOEPA and Regulation Z by including a prohibited "prepayment penalty" provision, in violation of Section 129(c) of TILA, 15 U.S.C. 1639(c), and Section 226.32(d)(6) of Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. 226.32(d)(6); C. Plaintiff has caused injury to Defendant and did violate the requirements of HOEPA and Regulation Z by misleading Defendant in the real costs of alleged Mortgage and Note as is evidenced by lower courts own representation of erroneous and fraudulent amounts referenced in Decision, Order and Judgment Entry Finding In Favor Of Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank (page 2) and purporting the entire loan amount totaling $93,445.92 which is $6,554.08 less than alleged mortgage amount. If the courts cant figure it out, how then can they expect the Defendant to? D. Plaintiff has caused injury to Defendant and has violated the requirements of HOEPA and Regulation Z by including a prohibited "increased interest rate after default" provision, in violation of Section 129(d) of TILA, 15 U.S.C. 1639(c), and Section 226.32(d)(6) of Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R. 226.32(d)(6); and D. Plaintiff has caused injury to Defendant and violated the requirements of HOEPA and Regulation Z by failing to provide Defendant required disclosure documented under Section 1639 (a) Disclosures(1)(A) & (B), (2) Annual percentage rate(B), (b) Time of disclosures(1), (2)(A), (3) Modifications, (c) No Prepayment penalty(1)(A)(B), (2)(A)(i)(ii), (B), (D), (d), (e), (f), (h), (j), (k?), Section 1639(d), and

Pursuant to regulations promulgated under Truth in Lending Act, violator of disclosure requirements is held to standard of strict liability, and therefore, borrower need not show that creditor in fact deceived by making substandard disclosures. TILA, Sections 102-186, as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601-1667(e); Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z, Section 226,8(b-d), 15 U.S.C. Section 1700 Soils v. Fidelity Consumer Discount Co., 58 B.R. 983,

F. Plaintiff did violate and cause to initiate HOEPA protection rights and Defendants rights by requiring Defendant to pay an annual percentage
rate at consummation which did exceed an interest rate more than 8

percentage points for fist lien loansbased on the yield on Treasury securities having comparable periods of maturity.as is required by Regulation Z, 12 C.F.R Section 226.32 (a)(1)(i)(ii), see exhibitN Plaintiff failed in their requirements under rules (c)(1)to provide Defendant proper documentation as required,(c)(2) ,(3),(4) in providing Defendant any and all proper notices as is required. (d)(1),(2),(4),(5),(6),(7)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv) .

G. Plaintiff did violate Defendants rights by charging discount points in violation of State maximum limitation requirement of 2% by charging Defendant 3%. COUNT ELEVEN Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act Violations RESPA 109. Defendant John A. Reed incorporates by reference all of the proceeding and foregoing allegations in the entirety of Defendants answers & pleadings as in regard to the Complaint in its entirety and from its inception. 110. In the course of offering and extending alleged credit to Defendant, Wells Fargo Bank through their assigns, specifically Option One Mortgage Co., and H&R Block mortgage Corp. (now defunct) have caused injury to Defendant and violated RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) regulations by engaging in misrepresentation of Defendant and including loan terms prohibited by RESPA.

Specifically: Sec. 2605 (a), (b), (b)(1), (b)(2)(A), (b)(2)(B)(i),(iii), (b)(3)(A), (B),(C), (D), (E), (F), (G) a. Plaintiff failed to uphold their duty to inform Defendant, at the time of alleged application for the alleged loan, of Plaintiffs intention as to the repeated assignment, sale, and/or transfer of loan servicing and failed in their requirement to notify Defendant of sale and assignment of servicing rights to each and every entity represented as being an owner/holder of the Note and Mortgage. b. Plaintiff failed in the entirety of their requirement of notification that states Each servicer of any federally related mortgage loan shall notify the borrower in writing of any assignment, sale, or transfer of the servicing of the loan to any other person. For each and every transfer of the alleged Mortgage and/or Note. c. Defendant alleges Plaintiff, and their assignees, did give and receive, in violation of 12 U.S.C., a kickback based on the Yield Spread Premium (YSP) that was not disclosed on the Good Faith Estimate, nor was an H&R Block broker contract delivered to Defendant through discovery. d. Plaintiff failed in their requirement to deliver true and accurate information on the Truth In Lending Disclosure Statement. e. Plaintiff failed in their requirement to deliver true and accurate information on the Good faith Estimate of settlement costs. f. Plaintiff failed in their requirement to deliver true and accurate information Controlled Business Arrangement Disclosure as is required. COUNT TWELVE Violations of Ohio Corrupt Activities statute O.R.C. 1315.55 (A)(1-5110. 111. Defendant John A. Reed incorporates by reference all of the proceeding and
foregoing allegations in the entirety of Defendants answers & pleadings as in regard to the Complaint in its entirety and from its inception.

112. In the course of offering and extending credit to Defendant, Wells Fargo Bank through their assigns, specifically Option One Mortgage Co., and H&R Block mortgage Corp. (now defunct) has caused injury to Defendant and have violated O.R.C.

1315.53 by; a. Failing to comply with reporting requirements: Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(a) b. Giving false information to a money transmitter with intent to conceal or disguise that the money or payment instrument is the proceeds of unlawful activity (such activity would be the fraudulent information placed upon the Mortgage qualifying paperwork by the Mortgage Originator) with the intent and purpose of promoting of carrying out unlawful activity. Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(b) c. Structuring a transaction with the intent to avoid the filing requirements: Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(c) d. Promoting and carrying out an unlawful activity: Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(c) e. By concealing and/or disguising the fact of Duty To Report Transaction: Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(c) COUNT THIRTEEN Violations of Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act)

113. Defendant John A. Reed incorporates by reference all of the proceeding and
foregoing allegations in the entirety of Defendants answers & pleadings as in regard to the Complaint in its entirety and from its inception.

114. In the course of offering and extending credit to Defendant, Wells Fargo Bank through their assigns, specifically Option One Mortgage Co., and H&R Block mortgage Corp. (now defunct) has caused injury to Defendant and have perpetrated unlawful unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Practices previously listed involving fraud, misleading conduct, misrepresentations and/or material omissions of information concerning costs, risks, and/or other terms and conditions that do violate the prohibition against deception. Under relevant precedents, this prohibition is violated by misrepresentations, representations, omissions, acts, and/or practices that are material

and/or are likely to mislead a reasonable consumer in the audience targeted by the advertisement or other practice. See OCC Guidelines to Guard Against Predatory Lending, at 4-6. See 12 CFR 25.28(c). See also Interagency Questions and Answers Regarding Community Reinvestment, Q&A ___.28(c)-1, 66 Fed.Reg. 36620, 36640 (July 12, 2001). A bank that engages in credit without assessing the borrowers ability to repay the loan in addition to violating HOEPA in some circumstances is not helping to meet the credit needs of the community consistent with safe and sound operations, and has acted contrary to the OCCs safety and soundness regulatory guidelines. See 12 CFR 30, Appendix A. Such an activity or practice also may adversely affect the OCCs evaluation of the banks CRA performance. See OCC Guidelines to Guard Against Predatory Lending.a pattern or practice of extending . See also United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Mortgagee Letter 2002-21 (Due Diligence in Acquiring Loans), September 26, 2002.

115. To Defendants belief and knowledge, Plaintiff, through lack of proper documentation and/or fraudulent documentation provided, erroneously represented the true chronology of the alleged mortgage. Plaintiffs unsigned, un-authenticated, unrecorded, un-intelligible, and post dated documentation, have revealed the engagement of themselves in the unlawful act of money laundering by attempting to conceal, disguise the location, source, nature, ownership or control of property derived from either unlawful of corrupt activity in an attempt to either and/or to simply to make illegally gained money appear to be from a legal source or to avoid a reporting requirement as are represented in O.R.C. Title 13: Commercial Transactions Chapter 1315, Transmitters of Money, sections 1315.53, 1315.54, 1315.55 and 1315.99 and as such show a pattern of

either and/or corrupt or unlawful activity as defined within O.R.C. 2923.31 (1)(1,2,a-f) and State of Ohio Criminal Law. SUMMARY OF DEFENDANT REQUESTS TO THE COURT: 116. This is just one more cause of persecution of an ordinary citizen by an alliance of organizations using deliberately-deceptive criminal and predatory sales practices meant to unjustly enrich themselves while forcing homeowners into foreclosure.

118. For the reasons stated above, and based on the case law previously submitted to this Court in Defendants Motion to Dismiss and accompanying pleadings and memorandum, the Defendant, John A. Reed respectfully asks this Court to sustain these objections to the Lower Courts Decision and to support the other judges who have set precedents by deciding against such predatory plaintiffs, including this one, with prejudice.

119. I ask you humbly and respectfully to dispense justice against such predatory victimizers by finding compensatory and punitive damages for the Defendant. Since previous sanctions in similar cases seem not to have altered this Plaintiffs conduct, sanctions in this case are absolutely necessary if a strong message is to be sent to financial institutions such as this one, which have brought our country to ruin. Nosek v. Ameriquest Mortgage Co., 386 B.R. 374 (Bankr. D. Mass 2008) SUMMARY OF DEFENDANTS REQUESTS OF COURT

118. The defendant John A. Reed requests the following from the court:

(1) Under Count One, violations of the Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, award of damages and other compensatory relief as the Court deems proper in the maximum amount allowed by law. (2) Under Count Two, violations of the Ohio RICO Statutes, f. an order divesting Wells Fargo Bank NA of its interest in Defendants real property, g. an award of damages and other compensatory relief as the Court deems proper, and h. tripling such damages, i. j. and to costs and reasonable attorney fees and also moves the court, pursuant to sec. 2929.34(D) of the Statute, for an order of injunctive relief and a temporary injunction. k. an order that the Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank N.A. must divest any interest in Defendants real property that it acquired through this foreclosure action, and be ordered by the court not to transfer any said interest in the property to any entity other than the Defendant John A. Reed, in an attempt to circumvent the purpose of such divestiture. l. an order that Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank must make whole the Credit Rating of John A. Reed as to the removal of and any mention of this alleged transaction from his Credit rating with each and every one of the Credit Rating Agencies in use, in the public arena, solely as it relates to the alleged mortgage & note and for a further order awarding Defendant John A Reed an additional amount of $5,000.00 (five thousand dollars) per each and every day that such information is displayed upon his credit report beginning some 30 days from the ruling of the courts in his favor. In the event of future occurrences of same alleged information reappearing on Defendants Credit Report(s), then same award to again be deemed just, and awarded for each and every event, from each and every Credit reporting Agency, from date of inception till date of removal, and that this same awarding shall last in perpetuity. (3) Under Count Three, Fair Credit Reporting Act, an award of attorneys fees as if tried singly and damages, both substantive and punitive, economic and non-

economic and in addition to any civil or criminal remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other sections of the Revised Code and any and all other compensatory relief as the Court deems fit and proper in the maximum amount allowed by law. (4) Under Count Four, Universal Commercial Code violations, an award of attorneys fees as if tried singly and damages, both substantive and punitive, economic and non-economic and in addition to any civil or criminal remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other sections of the Revised Code and any and all other compensatory relief as the Court deems proper in the maximum amount allowed by law. (5) Under Count Five, Ohio Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Defendant is entitled to an award of injunctive relief as is stated in R.C. 4165.03, an award of reasonable attorneys fees as if tried singly and any and all relief pursuant to R.C. 4165.03 C, which states The civil relief provided in this section is in addition to civil or criminal remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other sections of the Revised Code. (6) Under Count Six, Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act violations, an award of attorneys fees as if tried singly and damages, both substantive and punitive, economic and non-economic and in addition to any civil or criminal remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other sections of the Revised Code and any and all other compensatory relief as the Court deems proper in the maximum amount allowed by law. (7) Under Count Seven, O.R.C. 1345.0 violations, an award of attorneys fees as if tried singly and both economic and non-economic damages, both substantive and punitive and any and all other compensatory relief as the Court deems fit and proper in the maximum amount allowed by law and Defendant states that treble damages are

warranted as this is one of thousands of publicly instances of this same behavior and as such I attach exhibit K titled Previous Sanctions against Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

(8) Under Count Eight, Article III violations, an award of attorneys fees as if tried singly and damages, both substantive and punitive, economic and non-economic in addition to any civil or criminal remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other sections of the Revised Code and any and all other compensatory relief as the Court deems proper in the maximum amount allowed by law. (9) Under Count Nine, Truth In Lending Act (TILA) 15 U.S.C 1601 violations, an award of attorneys fees as if tried singly, an award of actual damages, 15 U.S.C. 1640(a)(1), declaratory relief, establishment of criminal liability on any and all persons the Court finds who did willfully and knowingly violate the statute, 15 U.S.C. 1611, statutory damages, which may be assessed in addition to any actual damages awarded. 15 U.S.C. 1640 (a)(2)(A), see Section 130(a) of TILA, an amount equal to the sum of all finance charges and fees paid by the consumer 15 U.S.C. (a)(4), and under 15 U.S.C. - Liability of assignees (d)(2)(B)(i),(ii) the amount of all remaining indebtedness; and the total amount paid by the consumer in connection with the transaction with the all above trebled within the scope and jurisdiction of the Law to the
maximum amount allowed by the Law. (10) Under Count Ten, Home Owners Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) (or

"Regulation Z", 12 CFR 226), 15 U.S.C. 1602(aa), 1639 since all remedies available to borrowers where a HOEPA violation is present include all those under TILA, Defendant seeks an award duplicative of each and every award listed in the above TILA violations listed within this complaint. Additionally, since Plaintiffs engaged in the pattern or practice of extending Defendant a loan without regard to Defendants ability to

repay from sources other than the encumbered property in violation of 12 CFR 226.32, Defendant also seeks an additional award of all finance fees paid, and a duplicative award, in the entirety, against each and every entity within Plaintiffs representation as their chain of holder In Due Course of the alleged Mortgage and Note. 12 CFR 226.32.

(11) Under Count Eleven Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act (RESPA) violations, an award of attorneys fees as if tried singly and damages, both substantive and punitive, economic and non-economic and in addition to any civil or criminal remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other sections of the Revised Code and any and all other compensatory relief as the Court deems proper in the maximum amount allowed by law. (12) Under Count Twelve, Ohio Corrupt Activities Statute, an award of attorneys fees as if tried singly and damages, both substantive and punitive, economic and non-economic and in addition to any civil or criminal remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other sections of the Revised Code and any and all other compensatory relief as the Court deems proper in the maximum amount allowed by law. (13) Under Count 13 Violations of Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC), an award of attorneys fees as if tried singly and damages, both substantive and punitive, economic and non-economic and in addition to any civil or criminal remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other sections of the Revised Code and any and all other compensatory relief as the Court deems proper in the maximum amount allowed by law.

(14) Count 14 for Defamation of Character & Libel, for previously named and referenced instances of Libel se and Defamation of Character se, an award against Plaintiff and Plaintiffs Counsel, in recompense for the loss of Defendants chosen career (in perpetuity), damages (both statutory and punitive) for Libel, Defamation of Character, emotional, mental, psychological and physical damages in the maximum as the Law and Court is allowed and deems just, fit and reasonable and with extreme prejudice. Also, an award of Attorneys fees, and any and every other possible fine/sanction/injunction possible and available to the Defendant in the Law and to which the Courts may allow. (13) On all Counts, an award for Defendants pre-judgement and post-judgement interests, as well as well as reasonable attorneys fees and other costs and disbursements of this litigation, and an award for any and all other relief as this Court deems just, fit and proper, plus an award for any and all Tax encumbrances that would be incurred by Defendant on same previously mentioned awards. Given that (a) this Case has cost me inestimable damage to my reputationwhich has destroyed my chosen career, (b) oneyear-plus of my all-day, every-day time to refute this case which cost me approximately $50,000 or more in possible loss of compensation in that pursuit, (c) degradation of my health through the enormous stress of fighting a predatory giant such as Wells Fargo N.A., and (d) the additional strain on Defendants mental, psychological and physical health while simultaneously having to help, consult, console and reiterate over and over again not only my own innocence, but also their own lack of culpability and consequence, to my parents, through this ordeal, at a time when my 81-year-old mother and father were worried not only about my Mothers fatal bought with cancer day and night (she passed away March 18th, 2008. 1 month after foreclosure initiation) but also worrying about the threat of losing their own home and everything they owned because

of Plaintiffs allegations against them. Defendant also requests all charges made against Plaintiff, not sustained, to be addressed and explained with specificity. (14) Defendant retains all rights and remedies to prosecute any and all other violations against Plaintiff and their Counsel as they become apparent and available. 115. Finally, I sincerely thank Your Honor for his/her time and patience in reviewing this lengthy document and I ask you humbly and respectfully, not only for justice for myself, but for the necessary sanctions and/or injunctions and/or other actions that would serve to prevent further predatory practices, such as those used against me, to be utilized against other unsuspecting home owners. Respectfully,

_______________ John A. Reed pro se 7940 Guilford Dr. Dayton, Ohio 45414 937-890-2576 Yotraj@Yahoo.com

SERVICE A true and exact copy of the foregoing has been served this 14st day of April, 2009 as follows: Amelia A. Bower (0013474) David Van Slyke (0077721) 300 East Broad St., Suite 590 Columbus, Ohio 43235 Via email @ abower@plunkettcooney.com

And dvanslyke@plunkettcooney.com Thomas W. Kendo 7925 Paragon Rd. Dayton, Ohio 45459 Via email @ tkendo@midam-title.com

*******************************************

END OF INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY ***********************************

12 usc section 2605 servicing of mortgage loans and administration of escrow accounts From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [Laws in effect as of January 27, 1998] [Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between January 27, 1998 and November 30, 1998] [CITE: 12USC2605] *TITLE 12--BANKS AND BANKING * *CHAPTER 27--REAL ESTATE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES * Sec. 2605. Servicing of mortgage loans and administration of escrow accounts (a) Disclosure to applicant relating to assignment, sale, or transfer of loan servicing Each person who makes a federally related mortgage loan shall disclose to each person who applies for the loan, at the time of application for the loan, whether the servicing of the loan may be assigned, sold, or transferred to any other person at any time while the loan is outstanding.

(b) Notice by transferor of loan servicing at time of transfer (1) Notice requirement Each servicer of any federally related mortgage loan shall notify the borrower in writing of any assignment, sale, or transfer of the servicing of the loan to any other person. (2) Time of notice (A) In general Except as provided under subparagraphs (B) and (C), the notice required under paragraph (1) shall be made to the borrower not less than 15 days before the effective date of transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan (with respect to which such notice is made). (B) Exception for certain proceedings The notice required under paragraph (1) shall be made to the borrower not more than 30 days after the effective date of assignment, sale, or transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan (with respect to which such notice is made) in any case in which the assignment, sale, or transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan is preceded by-(i) termination of the contract for servicing the loan for cause; (ii) commencement of proceedings for bankruptcy of the servicer; or (iii) commencement of proceedings by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Resolution Trust Corporation for conservatorship or receivership of the servicer (or an entity by which the servicer is owned or controlled). (C) Exception for notice provided at closing The provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall not apply to any assignment, sale, or transfer of the servicing of any mortgage loan if the person who makes the loan provides to the borrower, at settlement (with respect to the property for which the mortgage loan is made), written notice under paragraph (3) of such transfer. (3) Contents of notice The notice required under paragraph (1) shall include the following information:

(A) The effective date of transfer of the servicing described in such paragraph. (B) The name, address, and toll-free or collect call telephone number of the transferee servicer. (C) A toll-free or collect call telephone number for (i) an individual employed by the transferor servicer, or (ii) the department of the transferor servicer, that can be contacted by the borrower to answer inquiries relating to the transfer of servicing. (D) The name and toll-free or collect call telephone number for (i) an individual employed by the transferee servicer, or (ii) the department of the transferee servicer, that can be contacted by the borrower to answer inquiries relating to the transfer of servicing. (E) The date on which the transferor servicer who is servicing the mortgage loan before the assignment, sale, or transfer will cease to accept payments relating to the loan and the date on which the transferee servicer will begin to accept such payments. (F) Any information concerning the effect the transfer may have, if any, on the terms of or the continued availability of mortgage life or disability insurance or any other type of optional insurance and what action, if any, the borrower must take to maintain coverage. (G) A statement that the assignment, sale, or transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan does not affect any term or condition of the security instruments other than terms directly related to the servicing of such loan.

(c) Notice by transferee of loan servicing at time of transfer (1) Notice requirement Each transferee servicer to whom the servicing of any federally related mortgage loan is assigned, sold, or transferred shall notify the borrower of any such assignment, sale, or transfer. (2) Time of notice (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the notice required under paragraph (1) shall be made to the borrower not more than 15 days after the effective date of transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan (with respect to which such notice is made).

(B) Exception for certain proceedings The notice required under paragraph (1) shall be made to the borrower not more than 30 days after the effective date of assignment, sale, or transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan (with respect to which such notice is made) in any case in which the assignment, sale, or transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan is preceded by-(i) termination of the contract for servicing the loan for cause; (ii) commencement of proceedings for bankruptcy of the servicer; or (iii) commencement of proceedings by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Resolution Trust Corporation for conservatorship or receivership of the servicer (or an entity by which the servicer is owned or controlled). (C) Exception for notice provided at closing The provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall not apply to any assignment, sale, or transfer of the servicing of any mortgage loan if the person who makes the loan provides to the borrower, at settlement (with respect to the property for which the mortgage loan is made), written notice under paragraph (3) of such transfer. (3) Contents of notice Any notice required under paragraph (1) shall include the information described in subsection (b)(3) of this section. (d) Treatment of loan payments during transfer period During the 60-day period beginning on the effective date of transfer of the servicing of any federally related mortgage loan, a late fee may not be imposed on the borrower with respect to any payment on such loan and no such payment may be treated as late for any other purposes, if the payment is received by the transferor servicer (rather than the transferee servicer who should properly receive payment) before the due date applicable to such payment. (e) Duty of loan servicer to respond to borrower inquiries (1) Notice of receipt of inquiry (A) In general

If any servicer of a federally related mortgage loan receives a qualified written request from the borrower (or an agent of the borrower) for information relating to the servicing of such loan, the servicer shall provide a written response acknowledging receipt of the correspondence within 20 days (excluding legal public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays) unless the action requested is taken within such period. (B) Qualified written request For purposes of this subsection, a qualified written request shall be a written correspondence, other than notice on a payment coupon or other payment medium supplied by the servicer, that-(i) includes, or otherwise enables the servicer to identify, the name and account of the borrower; and (ii) includes a statement of the reasons for the belief of the borrower, to the extent applicable, that the account is in error or provides sufficient detail to the servicer regarding other information sought by the borrower. (2) Action with respect to inquiry Not later than 60 days (excluding legal public holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays) after the receipt from any borrower of any qualified written request under paragraph (1) and, if applicable, before taking any action with respect to the inquiry of the borrower, the servicer shall-(A) make appropriate corrections in the account of the borrower, including he crediting of any late charges or penalties, and transmit to the borrower a written notification of such correction (which shall include the name and telephone number of a representative of the servicer who can provide assistance to the borrower); (B) after conducting an investigation, provide the borrower with a written explanation or clarification that includes-(i) to the extent applicable, a statement of the reasons for which the servicer believes the account of the borrower is correct as determined by the servicer; and (ii) the name and telephone number of an individual employed by, or the office or department of, the servicer who can provide assistance to the borrower; or (C) after conducting an investigation, provide the borrower with a written explanation or clarification that includes--

(i) information requested by the borrower or an explanation of why the information requested is unavailable or cannot be obtained by the servicer; and (ii) the name and telephone number of an individual employed by, or the office or department of, the servicer who can provide assistance to the borrower. (3) Protection of credit rating During the 60-day period beginning on the date of the servicer's receipt from any borrower of a qualified written request relating to a dispute regarding the borrower's payments, a servicer may not provide information regarding any overdue payment, owed by such borrower and relating to such period or qualified written request, to any consumer reporting agency (as such term is defined under section 1681a of title 15). (f) Damages and costs Whoever fails to comply with any provision of this section shall be liable to the borrower for each such failure in the following amounts: (1) Individuals In the case of any action by an individual, an amount equal to the sum of-(A) any actual damages to the borrower as a result of the failure; and (B) any additional damages, as the court may allow, in the case of a pattern or practice of noncompliance with the requirements of this section, in an amount not to exceed $1,000. (2) Class actions In the case of a class action, an amount equal to the sum of-(A) any actual damages to each of the borrowers in the class as a result of the failure; and (B) any additional damages, as the court may allow, in the case of a pattern or practice of noncompliance with the requirements of this section, in an amount not greater than $1,000 for each member of the class, except that the total amount of damages under this subparagraph in any class action may not exceed the lesser of-(i) $500,000; or

(ii) 1 percent of the net worth of the servicer. (3) Costs In addition to the amounts under paragraph (1) or (2), in the case of any successful action under this section, the costs of the action, together with any attorneys fees incurred in connection with such action as the court may determine to be reasonable under the circumstances. (4) Nonliability A transferor or transferee servicer shall not be liable under this subsection for any failure to comply with any requirement under this section if, within 60 days after discovering an error (whether pursuant to a final written examination report or the servicer's own procedures) and before the commencement of an action under this subsection and the receipt of written notice of the error from the borrower, the servicer notifies the person concerned of the error and makes whatever adjustments are necessary in the appropriate account to ensure that the person will not be required to pay an amount in excess of any amount that the person otherwise would have paid. (g) Administration of escrow accounts If the terms of any federally related mortgage loan require the borrower to make payments to the servicer of the loan for deposit into an escrow account for the purpose of assuring payment of taxes, insurance premiums, and other charges with respect to the property, the servicer shall make payments from the escrow account for such taxes, insurance premiums, and other charges in a timely manner as such payments become due. (h) Preemption of conflicting State laws Notwithstanding any provision of any law or regulation of any State, a person who makes a federally related mortgage loan or a servicer shall be considered to have complied with the provisions of any such State law or regulation requiring notice to a borrower at the time of application for a loan or transfer of the servicing of a loan if such person or servicer complies with the requirements under this section regarding timing, content, and procedures for notification of the borrower. (i) Definitions

For purposes of this section: (1) Effective date of transfer The term ``effective date of transfer'' means the date on which the mortgage payment of a borrower is first due to the transferee servicer of a mortgage loan pursuant to the assignment, sale, or transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan. (2) Servicer The term ``servicer'' means the person responsible for servicing of a loan (including the person who makes or holds a loan if such person also services the loan). The term does not include (A) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Resolution Trust Corporation, in connection with assets acquired, assigned, sold, or transferred pursuant to section 1823(c) of this title or as receiver or conservator of an insured depository institution; and (B) the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Resolution Trust Corporation, or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in any case in which the assignment, sale, or transfer of the servicing of the mortgage loan is preceded by-(i) termination of the contract for servicing the loan for cause; (ii) commencement of proceedings for bankruptcy of the servicer; or (iii) commencement of proceedings by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Resolution Trust Corporation for conservatorship or receivership of the servicer (or an entity by which the servicer is owned or controlled). (3) Servicing The term ``servicing'' means receiving any scheduled periodic payments from a borrower pursuant to the terms of any loan, including amounts for escrow accounts described in section 2609 of this title, and making the payments of principal and interest and such other payments with respect to the amounts received from the borrower as may be required pursuant to the terms of the loan. (j) Transition

(1) Originator liability A person who makes a federally related mortgage loan shall not be liable to a borrower because of a failure of such person to comply with subsection (a) of this section with respect to an application for a loan made by the borrower before the regulations referred to in paragraph (3) take effect. (2) Servicer liability A servicer of a federally related mortgage loan shall not be liable to a borrower because of a failure of the servicer to perform any duty under subsection (b), (c), (d), or (e) of this section that arises before the regulations referred to in paragraph (3) take effect. (3) Regulations and effective date The Secretary shall, by regulations that shall take effect not later than April 20, 1991, establish any requirements necessary to carry out this section. Such regulations shall include the model disclosure statement required under subsection (a)(2) of this section. (Pub. L. 93-533, Sec. 6, as added Pub. L. 101-625, title IX, Sec. 941, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4405; amended Pub. L. 102-27, title III, Sec. 312(a), Apr. 10, 1991, 105 Stat. 154; Pub. L. 103325, title III, Sec. 345, Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2239; Pub. L. 104-208, div. A, title II, Sec. 2103(a), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-399.)

Prior Provisions A prior section 2605, Pub. L. 93-533, Sec. 6, Dec. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 1726, related to advanced itemized disclosure of settlement costs by the lender and liability of the lender for failure to comply, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 94-205, Sec. 5, Jan. 2, 1976, 89 Stat. 1158.

Amendments

1996--Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104-208 amended heading and text of subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, text consisted of pars. (1) to (3) relating to requirements for lenders of federally related mortgage loans to disclose to applicants whether servicing of such loan may be assigned, sold, or transferred, directed Secretary to develop model disclosure statement, and required signature of applicant on all such disclosure statements. 1994--Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 103-325 substituted ``(B) at the choice of the person making a federally related mortgage loan``(i) for each of the most recent'' for ``(B) for each of the most recent'', redesignated cls. (i) and (ii) as subcls. (I) and (II), respectively, and realigned margins, substituted ``or'' for ``and'' at end of subcl. (II), and added cl. (ii). 1991--Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 10227 added subsec. (j). Section Referred to in Other Sections This section is referred to in sections 2609, 2610, 2614 of this title; title 15 section 1641.

1641 Liability of Assignees

section 152(a) of the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994, 108 Stat. 2190, 15 U.S.C.A. 1602(aa), US Code Title 15 Reference Link

U.S. Code Title 15, Chapter 41, subchapter 1, Part A 1607 (a) Enforcing agencies Compliance with the requirements imposed under this subchapter shall be enforced under (1) section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. 1818], in the case of (A) national banks, and Federal branches and Federal agencies of foreign banks, by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; (b) Violations of this subchapter deemed violations of pre-existing statutory requirements; additional agency powers For the purpose of the exercise by any agency referred to in subsection (a) of this section of its powers under any Act referred to in that subsection, a violation of any requirement imposed under this subchapter shall be deemed to be a violation of a requirement imposed under that Act. In addition to its powers under any provision of law specifically referred to in subsection (a) of this section, each of the agencies referred to in that subsection may exercise, for the purpose of enforcing compliance with any requirement imposed under this subchapter, any other authority conferred on it by law. (d) Rules and regulations The authority of the Board to issue regulations under this subchapter does not impair the authority of any other agency designated in this section to make rules respecting its own procedures in enforcing compliance with requirements imposed under this subchapter.

U.S. Code Title 15, Chapter 41, subchapter 1, Part B 1639. Requirements for certain mortgages

Disclosures (3) Specific disclosures In addition to other disclosures required under this subchapter, for each mortgage referred to in section 1602 (aa) of this title, the creditor shall provide the following disclosures in conspicuous type size: (A) You are not required to complete this agreement merely because you have received these disclosures or have signed a loan application.. (B) If you obtain this loan, the lender will have a mortgage on your home. You could lose your home, and any money you have put into it, if you do not meet your obligations under the loan.. (2) Annual percentage rate In addition to the disclosures required under paragraph (1), the creditor shall disclose (A) in the case of a credit transaction with a fixed rate of interest, the annual percentage rate and the amount of the regular monthly payment; or (B) in the case of any other credit transaction, the annual percentage rate of the loan, the amount of the regular monthly payment, a statement that the interest rate and monthly payment may increase, and the amount of the maximum monthly payment, based on the maximum interest rate allowed pursuant to section 3806 of title 12.

(b) Time of disclosures (1) In general The disclosures required by this section shall be given not less than 3 business days prior to consummation of the transaction. (2) New disclosures required (A) In general After providing the disclosures required by this section, a creditor may not change the terms of the extension of credit if such changes make the disclosures inaccurate, unless new disclosures are provided that meet the requirements of this section. (c) No Prepayment penalty (1) In general

(A) Limitation on terms A mortgage referred to in section 1602 (aa) of this title may not contain terms under which a consumer must pay a prepayment penalty for paying all or part of the principal before the date on which the principal is due. (B) Construction For purposes of this subsection, any method of computing a refund of unearned scheduled interest is a prepayment penalty if it is less favorable to the consumer than the actuarial method (as that term is defined in section 1615 (d) of this title). (2) Exception Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a mortgage referred to in section 1602 (aa) of this title may contain a prepayment penalty (including terms calculating a refund by a method that is not prohibited under section 1615 (b) of this title for the transaction in question) if (A) at the time the mortgage is consummated (i) the consumer is not liable for an amount of monthly indebtedness payments (including the amount of credit extended or to be extended under the transaction) that is greater than 50 percent of the monthly gross income of the consumer; and (ii) the income and expenses of the consumer are verified by a financial statement signed by the consumer, by a credit report, and in the case of employment income, by payment records or by verification from the employer of the consumer (which verification may be in the form of a copy of a pay stub or other payment record supplied by the consumer); (B) the penalty applies only to a prepayment made with amounts obtained by the consumer by means other than a refinancing by the creditor under the mortgage, or an affiliate of that creditor; (C) the penalty does not apply after the end of the 5-year period beginning on the date on which the mortgage is consummated; and (D) the penalty is not prohibited under other applicable law.

ORC. Section 1349.27, Creditor prohibitions. (A) Make a covered loan that includes any of the following: (1) Terms under which a consumer must pay a prepayment penalty for paying all or part of the principal before the date on which the principal is due. For purposes of division (A)(1) of this section, any method of computing a refund of unearned scheduled interest is a prepayment penalty if it is less favorable to the consumer than the actuarial method. (2) Terms under which more than two periodic payments required under the loan are consolidated and paid in advance from the loan proceeds provided to the consumer; (3) (4) Terms under which a rebate of interest arising from a loan acceleration due to default is calculated by a method less favorable than the actuarial method. (4) (B) Make a covered loan that provides for an interest rate applicable after default that is higher than the interest rate that applies before default; (5) (D) Engage in a pattern or practice of extending credit to consumers under covered loans based on the consumers collateral without regard to the consumers repayment ability, including the consumers current and expected income, current obligations, and employment; (K) Make a covered loan if, at the time the loan was consummated, the consumer's total monthly debt, including amounts owed under the loan, exceed fifty per cent of the consumer's monthly gross income, as verified by the credit application, the consumer's financial statement, a credit report, financial information provided to the person originating the loan by or on behalf of the consumer, or any other reasonable means, unless the consumer submits both of the following:

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALSFOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. No. 01-4953 PATRICK LEROY CRISP, Defendant-Appellant.

Because the Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate either that its handwriting evidence satisfies the Daubert factors or that it is otherwise reliable, I would reverse the district courts decision to admit it as an abuse of discretion. See Starzecpyzel, 880 F. Supp. at 1028 ("The Daubert hearing established that forensic document examination, which clothes itself with the trappings of science, does not rest on carefully articulated postulates, does not e ploy rigorous methodology, and has not convincingly documented the accuracy of its determinations.").

Ohio Corrupt Activities statute O.R.C. 1315.55 (A)(1-5

There are five basic processes used to launder money. Tens of thousands of different ways can be developed to achieve each of the processes. Money laundering operations may involve two or more of the following:

1. Placing of unlawful proceeds so that they reappear under the control of criminals, from what appear to be legitimate sources.1315.55(A)(2) Example: Co-mingling bad with goodmoney.

2. Reinvesting unlawful proceeds in a criminal enterprise. The individual(s) knows the proceeds are from unlawful activity with the purpose of furthering or committing corrupt activity. 1315.55(A)(1) Example: Purchasing of illegal gaming devices.

3. Using proceeds from any source to conduct a transaction with the purpose of promoting, managing, establishing, carrying on or facilitating corrupt activity. 1315.55(A)(3)

Example: Buying a car to be used in a bank robbery.

4. Conducting, structuring or attempting a transaction that involves more than $10,000 in proceeds of corrupt activity. 1315.55(A)(4) Example: Purchasing a home or vehicle.

5. Attempting or conducting a transaction with property that is represented by law enforcement to be proceeds of corrupt activity, with any of the following intent: a. to promote, manage, establish, or carry on corrupt activity; b. to conceal or disguise the location, source, ownership or control of property believed to be the proceeds of corrupt activity; c. to avoid a reporting requirement. Example: A banker accepts illegal money and agrees to clean it.

DUTY TO REPORT TRANSACTION O.R.C. 1315.53

Keeping Records, Money Laundering Prohibitions

SECTION 1315.53 (F)(1a,1b,1c)

Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(a) Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(a) prohibits purposefully violating or failing to comply with the reporting requirements. Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(b) Section 1315.53(F)(1)(b) prohibits a person from knowingly giving false or incomplete information to a money transmitter with intent to conceal or disguise that the money or payment instrument is the proceeds of unlawful activity or with the purpose of promoting or carrying out unlawful activity. Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(c) Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(c) is the structuring provision. It prohibits:
Structuring a transaction with intent to avoid the filing requirements. Promoting or carrying out unlawful activity. Concealing or disguising the fact

DUTY TO REPORT TRANSACTION

O.R.C. 1315.53
Keeping Records, Money Laundering Prohibitions

SECTION 1315.53 (F)(1a,1b,1c)

Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(a) Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(a) prohibits purposefully violating or failing to comply with the reporting requirements. Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(b) Section 1315.53(F)(1)(b) prohibits a person from knowingly giving false or incomplete information to a money transmitter with intent to conceal or disguise that the money or payment

instrument is the proceeds of unlawful activity or with the purpose of promoting or carrying out unlawful activity. Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(c) Section 1315.53 (F)(1)(c) is the structuring provision. It prohibits:
Structuring a transaction with intent to avoid the filing requirements. Promoting or carrying out unlawful activity. Concealing or disguising the fact

OHIO LAW

Ohios money laundering prohibitions can be found under Title 13: Commercial Transactions Chapter 1315, Transmitters of Money, sections 1315.53, 1315.54, 1315.55 and 1315.99. It is important to note that to charge under these statutes, in most situations you are required to prove a predicate crime that can either be an unlawful or a corrupt activity, depending on the specific statute.

WHAT IS MONEY LAUNDERING?

Money laundering is knowingly participating in financial transactions related to crime. Although there are many types or processes used to launder money, the goal is always the same simply to make illegally gained money appear to be from a legal source or to avoid a reporting requirement. As a general rule, money laundering is an attempt to conceal, disguise the location, source, nature, ownership or control of property derived from either unlawful or corrupt activity.

CORRUPT V. UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY?

There is a difference between corrupt activity and unlawful activity as defined in sections 1315.53 through 1315.55. Corrupt activities are those violations as defined in O.R.C. 2923.31 (1)(1,2,a-f) that qualify as a violation under 2923.32. Unlawful activity is any criminal offense in Ohio, or in any other state, that would be a criminal offense if committed in Ohio. (This includes misdemeanors as well as felonies.)

WHO CAN BE CHARGED?

Anyone who engages in or attempts any of the prohibitions cited in section 1315.55 can be charged. This includes anybody who assists the criminals in these efforts, while knowing or having reasonable cause to know that the funds involved are the proceeds of unlawful activity. This may include a jeweler, accountant, attorney, car dealer, real estate agent or stock broker. A person may be charged even though they themselves are not involved in the criminal activity that produces the profits and did not receive any benefit.

IMPORTANCE OF O.R.C. 1315.55

Section 1315.55 is important to Ohio law enforcement in money laundering cases because it: Empowers state and local officers. Helps to reach the untouchables. Has a broader unlawful activity base than R.I.C.O. Allows a predicate crime to be determined a misdemeanor or felony.

Does not require that the facilitator participate in the predicate crime. Under 1315.55 (B), may allow treble damages to apply. Does not require a minimum threshold, except for 1315.55 (A-4). Qualifies for wiretapping. Can eliminate a criminal power base. Designates money laundering as a third degree felony. Provides liberal construction clause in section 1315.52. Allows anyone or everyone to be charged (criminal, facilitator, transmitter, etc.) Allows each transaction to be treated as a separate charge. Provides a sting provision in section 1315.55 (A-5). Money is at the heart of any criminal enterprise and as such, it is a valuable mechanism for law enforcement to use when catching wrongdoers. Following the money trail helps shed light on the scope of a criminal operation. Equally important is the ability of law enforcement to shut down the flow of money to a criminal organization. For this reason, Ohio has enacted prohibitions against shifting the proceeds of unlawful or corrupt activity from criminal to noncriminal entities commonly known as money laundering. It is against the law in Ohio to avoid a reporting requirement, use money to promote crime, conceal or disguise the true source of funds or to co-mingle legal and illegal funds.

Party In Interest Case Law Shealy v. Campbell (1985), 20 Ohio St.3d 23, 24. The purpose behind the realparty-in-interest requirement is " 'to enable the defendant to avail himself of evidence and defenses that the defendant has against the real party in interest, and to assure him finality of the judgment, and that he will be protected against another suit brought by the real party at interest on the same matter.' " Id. at 2425, quoting In reHighland Holiday Subdivision (1971), 27 Ohio App.2d 237, 240. In foreclosure actions, the real party in interest is the current holder of the note and mortgage. Chase Manhattan Mtge. Corp. v. Smith, Hamilton App. No. C061069, 2007-Ohio-5874, at 18; Kramer v. Millott (Sept. 23, 1994), Erie App. No. E-94-5 (because the plaintiff did not prove that she was the holder of the note and mortgage, she did not establish herself as a real party in interest). A party who fails to establish itself as the current holder is not entitled to judgment as a matter of law. First Union Natl. Bank v. Hufford (2001), 146 Ohio App.3d 673, 677, 679-680. Thus, in Hufford, the Third District No. 07AP-615 5 Court of Appeals reversed a grant of summary judgment where a purported mortgagee failed to produce sufficient evidence explaining or demonstrating its right to the note and mortgage at issue. In that case, the record contained only "inferences and bald assertions" and no "clear statement or documentation" proving that the original holder of the note and mortgage transferred its interest to the appellee. Id. at 678. The failure to prove who was the real party in interest created a genuine issue of material fact that precluded summary judgment. Id. at 679-680. Similarly, in Washington Mut.

Bank, F.A. v. Green (2004), 156 Ohio App.3d 461, the Seventh District Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's finding of summary judgment where the plaintiff failed to prove that it was the holder of the note and mortgage. There, the defendant executed a note and mortgage in favor of Check 'n Go Mortgage Services, not Washington Mutual Bank, F.A. Although Washington Mutual Bank, F.A. submitted an affidavit alleging an interest in the note and mortgage, it did not state how or when it acquired that interest. Id. at 467. The court concluded that this lack of evidence defeated the purpose of Civ.R. 17(A) by exposing the defendant to the danger that multiple "holders" would seek foreclosure based upon the same note and mortgage. Id. ************************************************************************ http://www.state.wv.us/WVSCA/Docs/Fall05/32611c2.htm Securitization ostensibly provides a source of capital so that more home loans are available to borrowers. However, the series of corporate and banking transactions that make up securitization cannot be permitted to avoid liability by those who are actually providing the funding _ and often controlling the transaction. See Kurt Eggert, Held up in Due Course: Predatory Lending, Securitization, and the Holder in Due Course Doctrine, 35 Creighton L. Rev. 503 (2002).

ALBERT J. BITKER, Appellant (Plaintiff), v. FIRST NATIONAL BANK IN EVANSTON a national banking corporation; http://www.plol.org/Pages/Secure/Document.aspx?d=fQED24LICaIX8utVyusxBQ%3d %3d&l=Cases&rp=4 Section 34-4-103 sets forth the prerequisites of foreclosure as follows: (a) To entitle any party to give a notice as hereinafter prescribed and to make such foreclosure, it is requisite: (i) That some default in a condition of such mortgage has occurred by which the power to sell became operative; (ii) That no suit or proceeding has been instituted at law to recover the debt then remaining secured by such mortgage, or any part thereof, or if any suit or proceeding has been instituted, that the same has been discontinued, or that an execution upon the judgment rendered therein has been returned unsatisfied in whole or in part; and (iii) That the mortgage containing the power of sale has been duly recorded; and if it has been assigned, that all assignments have been recorded; and (iv) That written notice of intent to foreclose the mortgage by advertisement and sale has been served upon the record owner, and the person in possession of the mortgaged premises if different than the record owner, by certified mail with return receipt, mailed to the last known address of the record owner and the person in possession at least ten (10) days before commencement of publication of notice of sale. Proof of compliance with this subsection shall be by affidavit.

Although Mr. Bitker complains on appeal that the assignment of the mortgage was never recorded, he did not argue this to the district court, and marshaled no evidence to prove this allegation. Regardless, First National Bank wrote Mr. Bitker a letter on March 24, 1998, which constituted actual notice of the assignment of the promissory note and the pending foreclosure on the property, which satisfied 34-4-103(a)(iii) and (iv). Having failed to present any facts in support of his allegations of fraudulent foreclosure, summary judgment was appropriate on that claim. Allegedly, Defendant signed loan papers when the loan was made. A representative of the Mortgage Co. signed as well, but the ONLY capacity in which H&R Block Mortgage Co.s representative signed is so as to certify that the borrowers signature is valid and correct. Put another way, the representative of H&R Block Mortgage Co. does NOT append his signature in a mode or manner that created a contract between the alleged Defendant and H&R Block Mortgage Co. The reason that the H&R Block Mortgage Co.s representative does not sign in order to create a contract is that the H&R Block Mortgage Co. is aware that it is not giving the alleged borrower ANYTHING AT ALL. When the borrower signs the documentation, what he or she is doing is creating a new negotiable piece of paper which, provided the bank or another party accepts it as such, can be converted into a LOAN. But it is a loan to H&R Block Mortgage Co., not to the borrower. H&R Block Mortgage Co.s books will show the transaction as a credit, as banks are privileged institutions which enjoy the right to create money by monetising promissory notes. The bank then places the amount that THE BORROWER loaned to them via the loan document into the borrowers account (deposit account), or else issues a certified check or some other payment method from the transaction book entry account. That process creates a debit on the banks books. FIDDLING OF BANKS BOOKS DOES NOT CREATE A CONTRACT In other words, all of a sudden, the banks books are balanced, since the bank possesses a credit and a debit that suddenly match. But that process does not create a contract, which is what the court requires to be filed, in order to support any request for foreclosure, such CONTRACT WAS REQUESTED BY THE Defendant in Interrogarory request while THE FORECLOSURE WAS BEING CHALLENGED IN COURT. This is rampant fraud on every Court in America, or nonjudicial foreclosure fraud where the securitized trusts are filing foreclosures when they never own/hold the mortgage loan at the commencement of the foreclosure. That means that the loans are clearly in default at the time of any eventual transfer of the ownership of the mortgage loans to the trusts. This means that the loans are being held by the originating lenders after the alleged sale to the trust, despite what it says per the pooling and servicing agreements and despite what the securities laws require. This means that many securitized trusts dont really, legally, own these bad loans. In my cases, many of the trusts try to argue equitable assignment that predates the filing of the foreclosure, but a securitized trust cannot take an equitable assignment of a mortgage loan. It also means that the securitized trusts own nothing.

First, because of the way mortgages have been securitized, its often unclear who actually owns the debt, she said. What we see is that systematically, the originating lenders only pledged these loans and didnt actually transfer them to the trusts that are supposed to hold them and issue the securities, she explained. But only the true debt owner has the legal standing to be a plaintiff in a foreclosure, she continued. Thats first-year law school stuff. If youre Joe and the debt doesnt belong to you, it belongs to Marjorie, then Marjorie better be in court, not Joe. Dont come in as Joe and tell me you have the right to be there when you know full well you dont. Yet, time and again, loan servicers and others have sought plaintiff status, often by using affidavits stating that the actual notes had been lost, she said. Ive seen paperwork filed by lawyers saying, We anticipate assignment of the debt, she said with a scoff. And the loan originators cant appear in court and claim the right to foreclose because they would be in violation of securities laws for not transferring the loan to the trust when they were supposed to, she said. The partial dissent argues that the Herrods should not be able to pursue their unconscionability claim against Washtenaw because the Herrods presented no evidence that Washtenaw employees unconscionably induced the Herrods into the contract. However, the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act provides that a loan or any portion thereof may be voided if a court concludes that the loan was induced by unconscionable conduct or the loan contains unconscionable terms: With respect to a transaction which is or gives rise to a consumer credit sale, consumer lease or consumer loan, if the court as a matter of law finds: (a) The agreement or transaction to have been unconscionable at the time it was made, or to have been induced by unconscionable conduct, the court may refuse to enforce the agreement, or (b) Any term or part of the agreement or transaction to have been unconscionable at the time it was made, the court may refuse to enforce the agreement, or may enforce the remainder of the agreement without the unconscionable term or part, or may so limit the application of any unconscionable term or part as to avoid any unconscionable result. W. Va. Code, 46A-2-121(1). In order to obtain equitable relief under this statute, it is not necessary that the Herrods establish that in addition to unconscionable terms or inducement, Washtenaw itself must have engaged in affirmative acts to unconscionably induce the loan. Though the affirmative acts of a participant are relevant to the measure of additional damages recoverable from a particular party, W. Va. Code, 46A-5-101(1), the identity of the party or parties who entered into an unconscionable agreement is not a determining fact for entitlement to equitable relief. Additionally, it is apparent from the record, that with respect to the Herrods' unconscionability claim, Washtenaw is not without blame. Among other things, the Herrods claim the fees in the loan were unconscionable. Washtenaw was a signatory to

the contract and clearly was aware that the fees (1) were on their face excessive; (2) rendered the loan a high cost loan under federal law; and (3) violated its agreement not to originate loans for assignment to Fannie Mae that contained more than 5% in fees. As the majority correctly concludes, there was substantial evidence already in the record, and the Herrrods were entitled to an opportunity to present that evidence in support of their unconscionability claim. Indeed, in contrast to virtually all other types of claims, the statute mandates an opportunity to fully present evidence. See W. Va. Code, 46A- 2-121(2). The circuit court found that summary judgment was appropriate in favor of Washtenaw on t In discussing the question of fraud and misrepresentation, the dissenting and the circuit court focused on an asserted lack of direct evidence of any direct misrepresentations by Washtenaw. This case, however, concerns whether Washtenaw can use brokers who do engage in fraud, suppressions, and misrepresentations to induce borrowers into predatory loans _ and then enforce the predatory loans against the borrowers. There appears to be some confusion in the dissent and the circuit court's opinions between the concepts of fraudulent misrepresentation as a defense to contract, and the concept of fraud as a tort. The Restatement (Second) of Contracts notes the difference between fraud as a contractual defense and fraud as a tort: A misrepresentation is an assertion that is not in accord with the facts. Concealment, and in some cases non-disclosure of a fact are equivalent to such an assertion. A misrepresentation may have three distinct effects under the rules stated in this Chapter. First, in rare cases, it may prevent the formation of any contract at all. Second, it may make a contract voidable. Third, it may be the grounds for a decree reforming the contract. In the case of non-disclosure by a fiduciary, making a contract with his beneficiary, these rules are supplemented by the rule stated in 173. A misrepresentation may also be the basis for an affirmative claim for liability for misrepresentation under the law of torts. Such liability for misrepresentation is dealt with in the Restatement, Second, Torts. See Restatement, Torts chs. 22, 23. The rules stated there conform generally to those stated here. However, because tort law imposes liability in damages for misrepresentation, while contract law does not, the requirements imposed by contract law are in some instances less stringent. Notable, under tort law a misrepresentation does not give rise to liability for fraudulent misrepresentation unless it is both fraudulent and material, while under contract law a misrepresentation may make a contract voidable if it is either fraudulent or material. Restatement (Second) Contracts ch. 7, Introductory Note (1981) (citations omitted) (emphasis added). The question of whether a party was fraudulently induced into a contract may go to the formation of the contract. A party that is misled as to the essential terms of a contract does not technically agree to the contract, as no assent to its terms has been formulated due to the misrepresentation. In this situation, it is irrelevant whether the misrepresentation was made by the other party to the contract or a third person. See

Restatement (Second) Contracts 163 (1981) (It is immaterial under the rule stated in this Section whether the misrepresentation is made by a party to the transaction or by a third person.). If a misrepresentation does not prevent a party from assenting to the contract, the misrepresentation, whether it be fraudulent or material, may render the contract merely voidable. See Restatement (Second) Contracts 164 (1981). A misrepresentation by a third party may render the contract voidable. See id. 164(2). Article 3 of the Uniform Commercial Code governs the claims and defenses a party may make arising out of negotiable instruments. The UCC provides that the right to enforce an obligation arising out of a negotiable instrument is subject to [a] claim in recoupment of the obligor against the original payee of the instrument if the claim arose from the transaction that gave rise to the instrument; but the claim of the obligor may be asserted against a transferee of the instrument only to reduce the amount owing on the instrument at the time the action is brought. W.Va. Code, 46-3-305 (emphasis added). Under this provision, it is clear that any claim an obligor may have arising out of the transaction may be asserted defensively against the original payee in the transaction in an action for recoupment. To the extent that borrowers are defrauded, as a matter of contract law, they have defenses against the holder of the obligation in an action for recoupment. (See footnote 1) There is no basis for Washtenaw to wipe out the Herrods' contractual defense of fraud, regardless of whether the fraud was directly induced by a third person. A securitization model _ a system wherein parties that provide the money for loans and drive the entire origination process from afar and behind the scenes _ does nothing to abolish the basic right of a borrower to assert a defense to the enforcement of a fraudulent loan, regardless of whether it was induced by another party involved in the origination of the loan transaction, be it a broker, appraiser, closing agent, or another. Thus, the Herrods may assert these equitable claims in recoupment. Moreover to the extent the Herrods can prove that Washtenaw was engaged in a joint venture, agency, or conspiracy with the broker and/or appraiser, they may pursue their actual and punitive damages under tort theories. See Muzelak v. King Chevrolet, 179 W.Va. 340, 345, 368 S.E.2d 710, 715 (1988); Restatement (Second) Contracts, ch. 7, Introductory Note (1981). In this case, the Herrods presented substantial evidence that they were fraudulently induced into the loan. The evidence, taken in a light most favorable to the Herrods, tended to show the broker and the appraiser had an arrangement _ arguably a conspiracy _ to provide inflated appraisals to justify predatory loans. The evidence of this scheme was sufficient enough for the circuit court to deny summary judgment to the appraiser. (See footnote 2) While the Herrods have produced no evidence to hold Washtenaw directly liable for fraud as a tort, they nonetheless have the ability to maintain an action for recoupment for fraudulent misrepresentation in contract, and for damages in joint venture, conspiracy, or agency, as explained by the Opinion of the Court. The Herrods also allege the broker engaged in unfair and deceptive acts or ractices in the origination of the loan in violation of W.Va. Code, 46A-6-101 et seq.

These claims were made against the broker, not the lender. To be sure, the UDAP provisions do not apply to lending activities, but only apply to the sale of services _ in this case, broker services. See W.Va. Code, 46A-6-102(d). I agree with the majority that the Herrods asserted no claims for unfair and deceptive acts or practices against Washtenaw. This Court has not passed on the Herrods' UDAP claims, to the extent they may be asserted against the broker in connection with the sale of broker services. The Opinion of the Court also affirms the right of the Herrods to pursue liability against Washtenaw for any wrongdoing that they are able to prove against the broker. Though direct claims for fraud, failure to provide a proper broker agreement, and UDAP were properly dismissed, actual and punitive damages may nevertheless be pursued against the lender. Participation in a joint venture with a broker or other party in a predatory lending context gives rise to liability for such claims under a claim of joint venture. See Short v. Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., ___ F. Supp. 2d ___, available in 2005 WL 3091873, at 14-15 (S.D.W.Va. Nov. 18, 2005); see also generally Armor v. Lantz, 207 W. Va. 672, 677-78, 535 S.E.2d 737, 742-43 (2000); Simple v. Starr, 205 W.Va. 717, 725, 520 S.E.2d 884, 892 (1999); Price v. Halstead, 177 W.Va. 592, 594, 355 S.E.2d 380, 384 (1987). Similarly, if one party is directing or exercising control over loan origination in the circumstance of securitized lending, it is a factual question as to whether there is a principal/agency relationship sufficient to impose such liability on all the participants. See Short v. Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., supra, 2005 WL 3091873, at 14-15; England v. MG Investments, Inc., 93 F. Supp. 2d 718, 723 (S.D.W.Va. 2000); Arnold, 204 W.Va. at 240, 511 S.E.2d at 865. The dissent contends that the Herrods presented no more than a scintilla of evidence in support of their claims for joint venture, agency, and conspiracy. While the Opinion of the Court states that the evidence presented by the Herrods was inferential, this by no means suggests that the evidence was not sufficient for a jury to find there was a relationship between Washtenaw and the broker. This Court has previously held '[p]roof of an express contract of agency is not essential to the establishment of the relation. It may be inferred from facts and circumstances, including conduct.' Arnold, 204 W.Va. at 239, 511 S.E.2d at 864 (quoting General Elec. Credit Corp. v. Fields, 148 W.Va. 176, 181, 133 S.E.2d 780, 783 (1963)) (emphasis added). Truth in Lending Act Case Law (TILA) It is the purpose of this subchapter to assure a meaningful disclosure of credit terms so that the consumer will be able to compare more readily the various credit terms available to him and avoid the uninformed use of credit, and to protect the consumer against inaccurate and unfair credit billing and credit card practices. 15 U.S.C. 1601(a) 1. Truth in Lending Act was passed to prevent unsophisticated consumer from being misled as to total cost of financing. Truth in Lending Act, Section 102, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601. Griggs v. Provident Consumer Discount. 680 F.2d 927, certiorari granted, vacated 103 S.Ct. 400, 459 U.S. 56, 74 L.Ed.2d 225, on remand 699 F.2d 642. 2. Purpose of Truth in Lending Act is for customers to be able to make informed decisions. Truth in Lending Act Section 102, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601. Griggs v.

Provident Consumer Discount Co. 680 F.2d 927, certiorari granted, vacated 103 S.Ct. 400, 459 U.S. 56, 74 L.Ed,2d 225, on remand 699 F,2d 642, 3. Truth in Lending Act is strictly a liability statute liberally construed in favor of consumers. Truth in Lending Act Section 102 et seq., 15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq. Brophv v. Chase Manhattan Mortgage Co, 947 F.Supp. 879. 4. Truth in Lending Act should be construed liberally to ensure achievement of goal of aiding unsophisticated consumers so that consumers are not easily misled as to total costs of financing. Truth in Lending Act, Sections 102 et seq, 102(a), 105 as amended, I5 U.S.C. Sections 1601 et seq., 1601(a), 1604; Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z, Sections 226.1 et seq., 226.18, 15 U.S.C. Section 1700, Basile v. H&R Block. Jlt(L. 897 F.Supp. 194. 5. Truth in Lending Act must be strictly construed and liability imposed for any violation, no matter how technical. Truth in Lending Act Section 102 et seq., as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq, Abele v. Mid-Penn Consumer Discount. 77 B.R. 460, affirmed S45 F.2d 1009. 6. To qualify for protection of Truth in Lending Act [15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq.], plaintiff must show that disputed transaction was a consumer credit transaction not a business transaction, Truth b Lending Act, Section 102 et seq., 15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq. Quino v. A-I CreditCom. 635 F.Supp. 151 7. Requirements of Truth in Lending Act are highly technical, but full compliance is required; even minor violations of Act cannot be ignored, Truth in Lending Act, Section 102 et seq. as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq.; Truth in Lending Act Regulations, Regulation Z Section 226.1 et seq., 15 U.S.C. foil. Section 1700. Griggs v. Providence Consumer Discount Co. 503 F.Supp. 246, appeal dismissed 672 F2d 903, appeal after remand 680 F.2d 927, certiorari granted, vacated 103 S.Ct, 400, 459 U.S. 56, 74 L.Ed.2d 225, on remand 699 F,2d 642. 8. Under truth in lending regulation providing that disclosure of consumer credit loan shall not be "stated, utilized or placed so as to mislead or confuse" consumer, placement of disclosures is to be considered along with their statement and use. TILA Regulation Z, Section 226.6(c), 15 U.S.C. following section 1700 .Geimuso v. Commercial Bank & Trust Co. 566 F.2d 437. 9. Any violation of the Truth in Lending Act, regardless of technical nature, must result in finding of liability against lender. TILA Regulation Z Section 226.1 et seq., 15 U.S.C. Section 1700; Truth in Lending Act Section 130 (a, e), IS U.S.C. Section 1640 (a, e). In Re Steinbrecher. 110 BR. 155, 116 A.L.R. Fed. 881. 10. Question of whether lender's Truth in Lending Act disclosures are inaccurate, misleading or confusing ordinarily will be for fact finder; however, where confusing, misleading and inaccurate character of disputed disclosure is so clear that it cannot reasonably be disputed, summary judgment for plaintiff is appropriate. TILA Section 102 et seq; Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z, Section 226.1 et seq., 15 U.S.C. Section 1700. Griggs v. Provident Consumer Discount Co. 503 F, Supp 246, appeal dismissed 672 F.2d 903, appeal after remand 680 F.2d 927, certiorari granted, vacated

103 S.Ct, 400, 459 U.S. 56, 74 L.Ed.2d 225, on remand 699 E2d 642. 11. Pursuant to regulations promulgated under Truth in Lending Act, violator of disclosure requirements is held to standard of strict liability, and therefore, borrower need not show that creditor in fact deceived by making substandard disclosures. TILA, Sections 102-186, as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601-1667(e); Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z, Section 226,8(b-d), 15 U.S.C. Section 1700 Soils v. Fidelity Consumer Discount Co., 58 B.R. 983, 12. Once a creditor violates the Truth In Lending Act, no matter how technical violation appears, unless one of statutory defenses applies, Court has no discretion in imposing liability. Truth in Lending Act, Sections 102-186 as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 16011667e. Solis v. Fidelity Consumer Discount Co. 58 BR, 983. Under the facts at hand the Plaintiff Bank has patently violated the Truth in Lending Act, At all relevant times the Bank misled and attempted to confuse Defendant. The Bank did not provide appropriate disclosure as required by the Truth in Lending Act in a substantive and technical manner. It is not necessary for recession of a contract that the party making the misrepresentation should have known that it was false, but recovery is allowed even though misrepresentation is innocently made, because it would be unjust to allow one who made false representations, even innocently, to retain the fruits of a bargain induced by such representations. Whipp v. Iverson, 43 Wis 2d 166. If any part of the consideration for a promise be illegal, or if there are several considerations for an unseverable promise one of which is illegal, the promise, whether written or oral, is wholly void, as it is impossible to say what part or which one of the considerations induced the promise. Menominee River Co. v. Augustus Spies L & C Co., 147 Wis 559, 572; 132 NW 1122 "When an instrument [note] lacks an unconditional promise to pay a sum certain at a fixed and determined time, it is only an acknowledgement of the debt and statutory presumptions like the presence of a valuable consideration, are not applicable." Bader vs. Williams, 61 A 2d 637 Any false representation of material facts made with knowledge of falsity and with intent that it shall be acted on by another in entering into contract, and which is so acted upon, constitutes fraud, and entitles party deceived to avoid contract or recover damages. Barnsdall Refining Corn. v. Birnam wood Oil Co., 92 F 2d 817. Sources of law: 15 USC 1601 et seq Regulation Z ( 12C.F.R. 226) The Federal Board Reserve Boards Official Staff Commentary on Regulation Z ( 12 C.F.R. 226.36, Supplement I) Ford Motor Credit v Milhollin, 444 U.S. 555, 565 (1980) (Unless demonstrably irrational, the Federal Reserve Board staff opinions construing the Act or Regulation should be dispositive.) TILA Substantive requirements: Clear, conspicuous, and accurate disclosures of loan terms set forth in 12 C.F.R. 226.18 (Content of Disclosures) In re Ralls, 230 B.R. 508 ( Bankr E.D. Pa. 1999); In re Cook,

76 B.R. 661 ( Bankr C.D. Ill. 1987) Every loan charge must be properly disclosed as either part of the amount financed which represents the amount of credit provided to you or on your behalf, 12 C.F.R. 226.18(b), or as part of The finance charge is computed according to the rules set forth 12 C.F.R. 226.4 and includes; any charge paid directly or indirectly by the creditor as an incident to or a condition of the extension of credit. Exclusions, if reasonable and and bona fide in amount are, title fees, document prep, credit report, appraisal, and escrow fees. Find fair market rate for title insurance, the court should look to Fair market rate, and a refi rate should be cheaper then a purchase-money mortgage. Where information as to reasonability of the rate is more likely to be in the control of the lender, the lender has the burden of proof on that issue. The difference, or upcharge is considered a finance charge. To be included in finance charge- Fees which are paid prescribed by law or paid to public officials like release of liens. If you had an overcharge in these fees as I did then it would be included in the finance charge. Relief requested: Due to failure to make clear consistent, conspicuously made and accurate material disclosures full loan recission meaning the security interest is void minus all the payment made on the loan. Material disclosures are: Incorrect APR, interest rate, and amount financed. The difference in finance charge is more then $100 difference ($35 if borrower is in foreclosure) request recission and statutory damgages. CFR 226.18(d)(1) Statutory damages of $2000 The extended right of recission lasts for 3 years from the date of closing the loan. 12 CFR 226.23 (a)(3) Semar v Platte Valley Fed. S&L Assn. 791 F. 2d 699 ( 9th Cir. 1986) The recission remendy runs against any assignee: Any consumer who the right to rescind a transaction under section 1635 of this title may rescind the transaction against any assignee of the obligation. 15 USC 1641 (c) Mount v La Salle Bank Lake View 926 F. Supp. 759 (N.D. Ill. 1996) Relief Requested: Actual damages, and statutory damages $2000, and Attorneys fees and costs. 15U.S.C. 1640 (a) 1. To fulfill the congressional purpose of TILA, material violations, as set forth above are to be strictly construed; there is no such thing as a meretechnical violation which does not give rise to liability. The Seventh Circuit, like most courts interpreting TILA, maintains that disclosures made pursuant to the statute should be viewed from the vantage point of an ordinary consumer as opposed to that of a skilled or informed business person. TILA is aimed at deceptive practices by lenders, not the subjective beliefs or actions of borrowers. Moreover, a plaintiff need not show actual harm to recover from a technical violations of TILA., as they are strict liability offenses. Adams v Nationscredit Financial Services Corp. 351 F. Supp. 2d 829 (N.D. Ill. 2004) ( citations

ommited). Statute 1 year for affirmative claims 15 USC 1640 3 Years for Recission Unlimited as a defense to foreclosure in the nature or a recoupment or set off. 735 ILC 5/13-207 Bank of New York c Heath, 2001 WL 1771825, at *1 ( Ill. Cir. Oct. 26, 2001) TILA RECISSION PROCEDURE It is crucial to comply with the technical TILA rescisssion procedures in full. First, the notice of rescission must be sent within 3 years of the loan closing. no exceptions. Second, you should send the notice of recisssion both (1) to the original creditor whose name is on the 3-Day Right to Rescind, and (2) to the current holder of the loan or to its attorney, if youre in foreclosure or to the loan servicer (the current holders servicing agent) if you dont know who the holder is). Upon recission, the security interest giving rise the right of recission becomes void and the consumer shall not be liable for any amount, including any finance charge( step one) CFR226.23(d) (1) Within 20 days the creditor must take action required to cancel the security interest and must return any money paid on the loan. (step two) 12CFR226.23(d) (2) If and when the creditor does so, the consumer must tender to the creditor the value of the money or property received. (step three) 12CFR 226.23 (d) The tender amount is reduced by any amount paid on the loan. (unless previously returned) White v WMC Mortgage 2201 US District . LEXIS 15907, at * 5 (E.D. Pa. July 31, 2001): Williams v Gelt, 237 B.R. 590, 598-99 ( E.D. Pa. 1999) Once the right to rescind is affirmed by the court and the amount owed (the tender) is determined, borrower must pay tender within timeframe set by the court. All loan payments previously made by the borrower will reduce the tender amount. The more payments made the better the case. Because tender is inevitable ( the borrower doesnt get to just walk away from the loan) you have to start working on your proposed tender strategy from the very beginning of the case. Failure to respond to the recission notice as spelled out above results in another violation and an additional award of statutory damages. $2000 White v WMC Mortgage 2001 US District . LEXIS 15907, at * 5 (E.D. Pa. July 31, 2001 Mayfield v Vanguard Savings & Loan, 710 F. Supp. 143, 145 ( E.D. Pa. 1989) STATUTORY LIABILITY UNDER TILA 1. The Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA) As envisioned, TILA was intended to enable a borrower to compare the cost of a cash versus credit transaction and to discover the difference in the cost of credit among different lenders. The regulation requires a maximum interest rate to be stated in any variable rate contract secured by the borrower's dwelling, imposes limitations on home equity plans that are subject to the requirements of certain sections of the Act, and requires a maximum interest that may apply during the

term of a mortgage loan. TILA also establishes disclosure standards for advertisements that refer to certain credit terms. In addition to financial disclosure, TILA provides borrowers with substantive rights in connection with certain types of credit transactions to which it relates, including a right of rescission in certain real estate lending transactions. Our discussion will be limited to those provisions of TILA that relate specifically to the mortgage lending process, namely: (1) Early and Final Regulation Z Disclosure Requirements (Part B); (2) Right of Rescission (Part B); and (3) TILAs Enforcement Provisions. b. TILAs Disclosure Requirements TILA requires lenders to make certain "material disclosures" on loans subject to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) within three business days after their receipt of a written application. This early disclosure statement is partially based on the initial information provided by the consumer. The term "material disclosures" means the disclosure of the annual percentage rate, the method of determining the finance charge and the balance upon which a finance charge will be imposed, the amount of the finance charge, the amount to be financed, the total of payments, the number and amount of payments, the due dates or periods of payments scheduled to repay the indebtedness, and the disclosures required by Section 1639(a) of this title. A final disclosure statement is provided at the time of loan closing. The disclosure is required to be in a specific format. While the "annual percentage rate" and the "finance charge" are to be disclosed more conspicuously than other terms, the Disclosure typically includes much information concerning the lender, the loan and its terms. TILAs Enforcement Provisions (1) Civil Remedies Any consumer harmed by a violation of TILA may bring a civil suit against the lender. Generally, TILA provides for the following civil remedies: (1) actual damages; (2) damages twice the amount of any finance charge in connection with the transaction; (3) damages not less than $200 or greater than $2,000; and (4) Reasonable Attorney Fees. 15 U.S.C. 1640(a). Correction of Errors A lender or assignee has no criminal, administrative, or civil liability under TILA for any failure to comply with its requirements, if within sixty days after discovering an error, whether pursuant to a final written examination report, or a notice issued by a federal agency under section 1607(e)(1) that the annual percentage rate or finance charge was inaccurately disclosed to the borrower, or through the lenders or assignees own procedures, and prior to the institution of an action under this section or the receipt of written notice of the error from the obligor, the lender or the assignee notifies the person concerned of the error and makes whatever adjustments in the appropriate account are necessary to assure that the person will not be required to pay an amount in excess of the charge actually disclosed, or the dollar equivalent of the annual percentage rate actually disclosed, whichever is lower. 15 U.S.C. 1640(b). Defenses: Unintentional Violations; Bona Fide Errors A lender or assignee may not be held liable in any action for inadequate disclosure or defect in the right of recision if the lender or assignee shows by a preponderance of evidence that the violation was not

intentional and resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adapted to avoid any such error. Examples of a bona fide error include, but are not limited to, clerical, calculation, computer malfunction and programing, and printing errors. However, an error of legal judgment with respect to a person's TILA obligations is not considered a bona fide error. The Real Estate and Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) a. In General The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), 12 U.S.C. 1261 et seq. is a consumer protection statute, first passed in 1974. RESPA was enacted in order to (1) help consumers become better shoppers for settlement services and (2) eliminate kickbacks and referral fees that unnecessarily increase the costs of certain settlement services. To accomplish these ends, RESPA requires that borrowers receive disclosures at various times. In addition, RESPA prohibits certain practices that increase the cost of settlement services. It also prohibits home sellers from requiring home buyers to purchase title insurance from a particular company. What transactions are covered and not covered under RESPA? Transactions which involve a "federally related mortgage loan" fall under RESPA and must comply with those rules. As a practical matter, "federally related mortgage loans" include virtually all loans which are secured by a lien on residential property, regardless of lien position.Examples include a refinance, equity lines of credit, reverse mortgages, and home improvement loans. [For a full definition of "federally related mortgage loan," see 12 U.S.C. 2602(1) and 24 C.F.R. 3500.2]. What is a "title company"? Under RESPA, the term "title company means any institution which is qualified to issue title insurance, directly or through its agents, and also refers to any duly authorized agent of a title company." 12 U.S.C. 2602(4). What Are "Settlement Services"? RESPA defines "settlement services" broadly. The term "includes any service provided in connection with a real estate settlement including, but not limited to, the following: title searches, title examinations, the provision of title certificates, title insurance, services rendered by an attorney, the preparation of documents, property surveys, the rendering of credit reports or appraisals, pest and fungus inspections, services rendered by a real estate agent or broker, the origination of a federally related mortgage loan (including, but not limited to, the taking of loan applications, loan processing, and the underwriting and funding of loans), and the handling of the processing, and closing or settlement." 12 U.S.C. 2602(3). b. RESPA Disclosures (1) Disclosure At The Time Of Loan Application: Good Faith Estimate of Settlement Costs. When borrowers apply for a mortgage loan, RESPA requires mortgage brokers and/or lenders to give the borrowers: A Good Faith Estimate (GFE) of settlement costs, which lists the charges the buyer is likely to pay at settlement. This is only an estimate and the actual charges may differ. If a lender requires the borrower to use a particular settlement provider, then the lender must disclose this requirement on the GFE.

A Mortgage Servicing Disclosure Statement, which discloses to the borrower whether the lender intends to service the loan or transfer it to another lender. This Statement also provides information about complaint resolution. Unless the borrowers loan application is turned down within three days, a lender must mail these documents to the borrowers if they did not receive them at the time of their application. Disclosures Before Settlement (Closing) Occurs (a) Disclosure of Controlled/Affiliated Business Arrangements Whenever a settlement service provider involved in a RESPA-covered transaction refers the borrower to a provider with whom the referring party has an ownership or other beneficial interest, a Controlled Business Arrangement (CBA) Disclosure is required. 12 U.S.C. 2607(c)(4). The referring party must give the CBA Disclosure to the borrower at or prior to the time of referral. The Disclosure must describe the business arrangement that exists between the two providers and give the borrower an estimate of the second provider's charges. Except in cases where a lender refers a borrower to an attorney, credit reporting agency or real estate appraiser to represent the lender's interest in the transaction, the referring party may not require the consumer to use the particular provider being referred. (b) HUD-1 Settlement Statement RESPA permits the borrower to request a copy of the HUD-1 Statement one day before the actual settlement. The settlement agent must then provide the borrowers with a completed HUD-1 Settlement Statement based on information known to the agent at that time. Disclosure After Settlement: Annual Escrow Statement Loan servicers must deliver to borrowers an Annual Escrow Statement once a year which summarizes all escrow account payments during the past year. If the loan servicer sells or assigns the servicing right to a borrowers loan to another loan servicer, the loan servicer must notify the borrower of the same in accordance with the statute. c. RESPAs Prohibition Against "Kickbacks" and Unearned Fees "Kickbacks" and Unearned Fees RESPA prohibits anyone from giving or accepting a fee, kickback or any "thing of value" in exchange for referrals of settlement service business involving a "federally related mortgage loan." 12 U.S.C. 2607(a). In addition, RESPA prohibits fee splitting and receiving unearned fees for settlement services not actually performed. 12 U.S.C. 2607(b). (a) "Thing of Value" The term "thing of value" includes any payment, advance, funds, loan, service, or other consideration. 12 U.S.C. 2602(2). (b) "Payment" While prohibiting kickbacks, fee splitting, and unearned fees, RESPA does not prohibit: The payment of a fee to attorneys at law for services actually rendered; or The payment of a fee by a title company to its duly appointed agent for services actually performed in the issuance of a policy of title insurance; or The payment of a fee by a lender to its duly appointed agent for services actually

performed in the making of a loan; or The payment of a bona fide salary or compensation or other payment for goods or facilities actually furnished or for services actually performed; or The payment to a Controlled Business Arrangement provided: * the CBA Disclosure is made; and * the borrower is not required to use any particular provider of settlement services;and * the only thing of value that is received from the arrangement, other than the payments permitted, is a return on the ownership interest or franchise relationship. 12 U.S.C. 2607(c). Examples: Appendix B to Part 3500 of 24 C.F.R. XX contains several illustrations which provide additional guidance on the meaning and coverage of RESPAs prohibition against kickbacks and unearned fees. 1. Facts: A, a provider of settlement services, provides settlement services at abnormally low rates or at no charge at all to B, a builder, in connection with a subdivision being developed by B. B agrees to refer purchasers of the completed homes in the subdivision to A for the purchase of settlement services in connection with the sale of individual lots by B. Comments: The rendering of services by A to B at little or no charge constitutes a thing of value given by A to B in return for the referral of settlement services business and both A and B are in violation of section 8 of RESPA. 2. Facts: B, a lender, encourages persons who receive federally-related mortgage loans from it to employ A, an attorney, to perform title searches and related settlement services in connection with their transaction. B and A have an understanding that in return for the referral of this business A provides legal services to B or B's officers or employees at abnormally low rates or for no charge. Comments: Both A and B are in violation of section 8 of RESPA. Similarly, if an attorney gives a portion of his or her fees to another attorney, a lender, a real estate broker or any other provider of settlement services, who had referred prospective clients to the attorney, section 8 would be violated by both persons. 3. Facts: A, a real estate broker, obtains all necessary licenses under state law to act as a title insurance agent. A refers individuals who are purchasing homes in transactions in which A participates as a broker to B, an unaffiliated title company, for the purchase of title insurance services. A performs minimal, if any, title services in connection with the issuance of the title insurance policy (such as placing an application with the title company). B pays a commission to A (or A retains a portion of the title insurance premium) for the transactions or alternatively B receives a portion of the premium paid directly from the purchaser. Comments: The payment of a commission or portion of the title insurance premium by B to A, or receipt of a portion of the payment for title insurance under circumstances where no substantial services are being performed by A is a violation of section 8 of RESPA. It makes no difference whether the payment comes from B or the purchaser. The amount of the payment must bear a reasonable relationship to the services rendered. Here A really is being compensated for a referral of business to B. * * * 4. Facts: A, a credit reporting company, places a facsimile transmission machine (FAX) in the office of B, a mortgage lender, so that B can easily transmit requests for credit

reports and A can respond. A supplies the FAX machine at no cost or at a reduced rental rate based on the number of credit reports ordered. Comments: Either situation violates section 8 of RESPA. The FAX machine is a thing of value that A provides in exchange for the referral of business from B. Copying machines, computer terminals, printers, or other like items which have general use to the recipient and which are given in exchange for referrals of business also violate RESPA. 5. Facts: A, a real estate broker, refers title business to B, a company that is a licensed title agent for C, a title insurance company. A owns more than 1% of B. B performs the title search and examination, makes determinations of insurability, issues the commitment, clears underwriting objections, and issues a policy of title insurance on behalf of C, for which C pays B a commission. B pays annual dividends to its owners, including A, based on the relative amount of business each of its owners refers to B. Comments: The facts involve an affiliated business arrangement. The payments of a commission by C to B is not a violation of section 8 of RESPA if the amount of the commission constitutes reasonable compensation for the services performed by B for C. The payment of a dividend or the giving of any other thing of value by B to A that is based on the amount of business referred to B by A does not meet the affiliated business agreement exemption provisions and such actions violate section 6. Similarly, if the amount of stock held by A in B (or, if B were a partnership, the distribution of partnership profits by B to A) varies based on the amount of business referred or expected to be referred, or if B retained any funds for subsequent distribution to A where such funds were generally in proportion to the amount of business A referred to B relative to the amount referred by other owners such arrangements would violate section 8. The exemption for controlled business arrangements would not be available because the payments here would not be considered returns on ownership interests. Further, the required disclosure of the affiliated business arrangement and estimated charges have not been provided. Enforcement and Penalties Violations of RESPAs anti-kickback, referral fees and unearned fees provisions are subject to criminal and civil penalties. In a criminal case, a settlement agent who violates Section 2607 may be fined up to $10,000 and imprisoned up to one year. In a private law suit, a settlement agent who violates this Section may be liable to the person charged for the settlement service an amount equal to three times ( treble damages) the amount of the charge paid for the service. The statute does enumerate one defense to the failure to provide the CBA Disclosure. If the failure to provide the Disclosure was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error, notwithstanding maintenance of procedures that are reasonably adapted to avoid such error, that person is not liable under the Act. RESPAs Prohibition Against Seller-Required Title Insurance RESPA also prohibits a seller from requiring the home buyer to use a particular title insurance company, either directly or indirectly, as a condition of sale. 12 U.S.C. 2608(a). d. Enforcement and Penalties Violations of RESPAs anti-kickback, referral fees and unearned fees provisions are subject to criminal and civil penalties. In a criminal case, a settlement agent who violates Section 2607 may be fined up to $10,000 and imprisoned

up to one year. 12 U.S.C. 2607(d)(1). In a private law suit, any person who violates this Section may be liable to the person charged for the settlement service an amount equal to three times the amount of the charge paid for the service. 12 U.S.C. 2607(d)(2). Buyers may sue a seller who violates the provision prohibiting seller-required title insurance for an amount equal to three times all charges made for the title insurance. 12 U.S.C. 2608(b).

The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994: Extending Liability for Predatory Subprime Loans to Secondary Mortgage Market Participants

http://www.kttlaw.com/images/news/keyfetz_home_ownership_equity_protection.pdf The destructive incentives in the origination of subprime mortgage loans are encouraged by a legal construct known as the Holder in Due Course (HDC) doctrine, which allows assignees of mortgage notes to circumvent lending regulations by laundering abusive loans. Specifically, the HDC doctrine frees assignees of liability for many claims and defenses which the borrower would have against the original lender. As a result, the HDC doctrine makes the current system perfect for washing everybodys hands of any responsibility [. . .]. At each step, it gets harder and harder to hold anybody accountable.53 This lack of accountability for lending violations encourages subprime mortgage financiers to supply mortgage brokers with capital with which to push Subprimemortgages. As bluntly stated by a spokesman for Lehman Brothers when asked about the investment banks role in financing the activity of a predatory lender, Lehman Brothers is an underwriter, not a regulator.54 Given secondary-market players passive view of their role, Congress recognized the need to subject them to liability for the misconduct of their primary-market counterparts to restore accountability to the subprime mortgage market. A. Laundering Lending Abuses through the Holder in Due Course Doctrine

It is a general principle of contract law that claims and defenses to a contract survive any transfer of the agreement to a new party. However, an exception to this general principle, the HDC doctrine, developed as one of commercial laws primary mechanisms for encouraging the flow of credit.55 Statement of Margot Saunders, supra note 13, at 13-14. The doctrine permits assignees of negotiable instruments to protect themselves from many claims and defenses to payment that a borrower would have against the original lender, as long as the assignee did not have knowledge of the claims and defenses at the time of transfer of the instrument. 56
The modern HDC doctrine is codified in section 3-305(b) of the Revised Article Three of the Uniform Commercial Code:

Defenses and Claims in Recoupment. . . . The right of a holder in due course to enforce the obligation of a party to pay the instrument is subject to defenses of the obligor stated in subsection (a)(1) [that is (i)infancy of the obligor to the extent it is a defense to a simple contract, (ii) duress, lack of legal capacity, or illegality of the transaction which,under other law, nullifies the obligation of the obligor, (iii) fraud that induced the obligor to sign the instrument with neither knowledge nor reasonable opportunity to learn of its character or its essential terms, or (iv) discharge of the obligor in insolvency proceedings], but is not subject to defenses of the obligor stated in subsection (a)(2) [that is, defenses of the obligor stated in another section of Article 3 or that would be available if the person entitled to enforce the instrument were enforcing a right to payment under a simple contract] or claims in recoupment stated in subsection (a)(3) [that is claims of the obligor against the original payee of the instrument if the claim arose from the transaction that gave rise to the instrument] against a person other than the holder.

Without the HDC rule, assignees of negotiable instruments step into the shoes of their seller, and would be liable for any claims or defenses that could have been brought against the seller (assignee liability). The HDC rule, therefore, seeks to encourage transferability of negotiable instruments by eliminating assignee liability.57 Statement of
Margot Saunders, supra note 13, at 13-14.
58 See,

e.g., Midfirst Bank, SSB v. C.W. Haynes & Co., Inc., 893 F.Supp. 1304, 1312 (D.S.C. 1994) (applying the HDC defense in a commercial context to hold that: Article Three of the UCC controls transfers of negotiable instruments, and the mortgage notes are clearly negotiable. If UCC Article Three should not apply in this case and the holder in due course doctrine is no longer warranted, then any abolishment of that body of law should come from the legislature, not the court). See also Eggert, supra note 12, at 560-70 (discussing cases where the HDC doctrine was applied against consumer mortgage borrowers).

Several courts have recognized the applicability of the HDC doctrine to mortgage notes. 58 In the context of a securitization, the HDC defense often prevents borrowers from suing or defending against claims brought by the securitization entity. 59 In fact, the entities that structure securitizations of residential mortgages are often coached in the means to transfer ownership such that the buyer can become a Holder in Due Course. 60 While a borrower maintains all claims against the loan originator under the HDC rule, the originator is often an under-capitalized, fly-by-night mortgage broker or finance company, against whom the borrower cannot get recourse. 61 Id. at 508; 522-27; 553-59
(exploring the problem of the Boom, Bust, and Bankruptcy Cycle of predatory lenders through a case study of the Diamond Mortgage mortgage-backed securities fraud).

HOEPA RESEARCH The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (HOEPA) a. In General -The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (HOEPA or the Act) amended TILA by adding Section 129 of TILA, 15 U.S.C. 1639, and has been implemented by Sections 226.31 and 226.32 of Regulation Z. 12 C.F.R. 226.31 and 226.32. HOEPA was implemented to specifically curb the predatory lending practices of certain sub-prime lenders. Generally, the Act provides added protections to borrowers who obtain more high-cost loans in the sub-prime market.

HOEPA applies where "the total point and fees payable by the consumer at or before the closing will exceed the greater of -- (i) 8 percent of the total loan amount; or (ii) $400." 15 U.S.C. 1602 (aa)(1)(B). Generally, points and fees include all items included in the finance charge, all compensation paid to mortgage brokers, and all enumerated section 1605(e) charges. If the total points and fees exceed the greater of 8 percent or $400, section 1604 of the Act requires additional disclosures. These specific HOEPA disclosures are enumerated in section 1639(a)-(b) of TILA. Where inadequate disclosure occurs, the borrower has the right of rescission. 15 U.S.C. 1635. b. An Example of an Inadvertent Violation of HOEPA- As with TILA, the vast majority of HOEPA violations by title agents are technical, unintentional violations. Although a mortgage broker agreement between a borrower and a mortgage broker will sometimes reflect a greater amount, sub-prime lenders will sometimes reduce broker fee on a high cost, refinance loan so that the total points and fees do not exceed 8% of the loan. While a borrower may nevertheless agree to pay the mortgage broker the fee due him under the mortgage broker agreement from the loan proceeds, the payment of such a fee transforms the loan into a HOEPA loan. If the borrower later defaults and seeks the protection of the bankruptcy court, the borrower may seek to rescind the loan based on the lack of HOEPA disclosures. Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) Purpose: HOEPA, an amendment to TILA, was a congressional response to the substantive abuses of creditors offering alternative, typically high interest rate, home loans to residents in certain geographic areas. The statute was enacted to ensure that consumers most vulnerable to abuse would be afforded a safety net without impeding the flow of credit altogether. H.R. Rep. No. 103 652, at 159 (1994). Fluehmann v. Associates Financial Services, 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5755 (D. Mass. March 29, 2002). Sources of law: 15 U.S.C. 1602(aa), 1639, and 1641(d)(1). Federal Reserve Board Regulation Z (12 C.F.R. 226), particularly 226.31 (General Rules) and 226.32 (Requirements for Certain Closed-End Home Mortgages). The Federal Reserve Boards Official Staff Commentary on Regulation Z. Ford Motor Credit v. Milhollin, 444 U.S. 555, 565 (1980) (Unless demonstrably irrational, Federal Reserve Board staff opinions construing the Act or Regulation should be dispositive). Triggers for HOEPA coverage: APR more than 10% above comparable Treasury security rate (8% on first-lien loans closing on or after October 1, 2002) on the 15th day of the month before the lender received the loan application. 12 C.F.R. 226.32(a)(1)(i); 66 Fed. Reg. 65,617 (2001). (For Treasury rates, see U.S. Government Securities @

www.federalreserve.gov/releases/H15/data.htm.) Points and fees exceeding 8% of the total loan amount. 12 C.F.R. 226.32(a)(1)(ii). Points and fees include: All prepaid finance charges. 12 C.F.R. 226.32(b)(1)(i). All compensation paid to mortgage brokers. 12 C.F.R. 226.32(b)(1)(ii). All items paid to the lender or to a lender affiliate. 12 C.F.R. 226.32(b)(1)(iii). Total loan amount is defined as the amount financed (principal minus prepaid finance charges) minus any additional HOEPA fees not already included in the finance charge, e.g., a bona fide and reasonable appraisal fee paid to the lender. Official Staff Commentary 12 C.F.R. 226.32(a)(1)(ii)-1. Lopez v. Delta Funding Corp., 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 23318 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 23, 1998). Disclosure requirements: A special HOEPA disclosure notice must be delivered to the consumer at least three business days prior to the closing of the loan. 15 U.S.C. 1639(b); 12 C.F.R. 226.31(c). A signed statement to the effect that the consumer received the HOEPA notice creates a rebuttable presumption only. 15 U.S.C. 1635(c). Bryant v. Mortgage Capital Resource Corp., 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS1566, at **11-17 (N.D. Ga. Jan. 14 ,2002); Williams v. Gelt, 237 B.R. 590 (E.D. Pa. 1999), Newton v. United Companies Financial Corp., 24 F. Supp. 2d 444, 448-51 (E.D. Pa. 1998). The notice must inform the consumer that he need not enter into the loan, and that if he does enter the loan, he could lose his home and any money he has put in it. 15 U.S.C. 1639(a); 12 C.F.R. 226.32(c)(1). The notice must also include an accurate statement of APR, monthly payment and balloon payment amount, and maximum payment amount on a variable-rate loan. 15 U.S.C. 1639(a)(2); 12 C.F.R. 226.32(c)(2)-(4); Official Staff Commentary 12 C.F.R. 226.32(c)(3)-2. As of October 1, 2002, the notice must also state the total amount borrowed. 66 Fed. Reg. 65,618 (2001). Prohibited terms: The following terms are prohibited (or limited) by the statute and Regulation Z: prepayment penalties, default interest rate, balloon payments, negative amortization, prepaid payments, improvident lending, direct payments to home improvement contractors. 15 U.S.C. 1639(c)-(h); 12 C.F.R. 226.32(d). Lopez v. Delta Funding

Corp., 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 23318 (E.D.N.Y. Dec. 23, 1998) (default interest rate); Newton v. United Companies Financial Corp., 24 F. Supp. 2d 444, 451-57 (E.D. Pa. 1998) (improvident lending). Remedies:Failure to deliver the required HOEPA notice or inclusion of a prohibited term triggers an extended (three-year) right of rescission (described above). 15 U.S.C. 1639(j); 12 C.F.R. 226.23(a)(3) n.48.; Bryant v. Mortgage Capital Resource Corp., 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS1566 (N.D. Ga. Jan. 14 ,2002); In re Barber, 266 B.R. 309 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2001); In re Jackson, 245 B.R. 23 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2000); In re Murray, 239 B.R. 728, 733 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1999). In addition to regular TILA monetary damage remedies (see above), HOEPA violations give rise to enhanced monetary damages under 15 U.S.C. 1640(a)(4), namely, all payments made by the borrower. In re Williams, 291 B.R. 636, 663-64 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2003). As with any TILA violation (see above), the rescission remedy runs against any assignee of the loan. 15 U.S.C. 1641(c). In addition, where the loan documents demonstrate that the loan is covered by HOEPA coverage, assignees shall be subject to all claims and defenses with respect to that mortgage that the consumer could assert against the creditor. 15 U.S.C. 1641(d)(1). This provision mirrors the FTC Holder Rule and creates assignee liability for all state and federal claims and defenses. For monetary damages claims under TILA, it provides an exception to general rule that violations must appear on the face of the documents. Pulphus v. Sullivan, No. 02 C 5794, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7080, at *64 n.11 (N.D. Ill. April 25, 2003); Dash v. Firstplus Home Loan Trust 1996-2, 248 F. Supp. 2d 489 (M.D.N.C. 2003); Cooper v. First Gov't Mortgage & Investors Corp., 238 F. Supp. 2d 50 (D.D.C. 2002); Bryant v. Mortgage Capital Resource Corp., 2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS1566, at **17-22 (N.D. Ga. Jan. 14, 2002); Mason v. Fieldstone Mortgage Co., U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16415 (N.D. Ill. 2001); Vandenbroeck v. ContiMortgage Corp., 53 F.Supp. 965, 968 (W.D. Mich. 1999); In re Rodrigues, 278 B.R. 683 (Bankr. D.R.I. 2002); In re Jackson, 245 B.R. 23 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2000); In re Barber, 266 B.R. 309 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 2001); In re Murray, 239 B.R. 728, 733 (Bankr. E.D. Pa. 1999). Statute of limitations: 1 year for affirmative claims. 15 U.S.C. 1640(e). 3 years for rescission. Beach v. Ocwen, 523 U.S. 410 (1998).

Unlimited as a defense to foreclosure in the nature of a recoupment or setoff. Bank of New York v. Heath, 2001 WL 1771825, at *1 (Ill. Cir. Oct. 26, 2001).

FTC RESEARCH PREPARED STATEMENT of the FTC on EFFORTS TO COMBAT UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE SUBPRIME LENDING Before the SENATE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF AGING Wash DC Feb. 24, 2004 The Commissions Legal Authority The FTC has jurisdiction over lenders in or affecting interstate commerce, other then banks, S&Ls, and federal credit unions. 2 As part of its consumer protection mandate, the Commission enforces Section 5 of the (FTC Act), which broadly prohibits unfair and deceptive acts or practices. 3 That section has provided the basis for most of the Commissions enforcement activity in this area. The Commission also enforces a number of laws that address specific aspects of mortgage lending and servicing practices, including the HOEPA. 4 and a number of consumer credit statutes. Empirical evidence suggests that subprime loans are different from prime loans in terms of the variety, complexity and level of risks they pose.11 Several cases have resulted in large monetary judgements, including Ameriquest, HFC, Citigroup, The Associates, Fairbanks Capital. September 2002 Landmark case. The FTC charged Citigroup Incs subsidiaries, Associates First Capital Corp., and Associates Corp of North America(The Associates) engaged in systematic and widespread deception and other illegal lending practices. they lured customers into high-cost loans through false and misleading statements and half-truths about loan costs, and violated numerous federal laws, including the TILA, the FCRA, and the FDCPA. The defendants paid $215 million for consumer redress to resolve the charges, in addition to a concurrent $25 million class action settlement. First Alliance Mortgage Co. - THE FTC and others, including six states, private plaintiffs, and the AARP, reached a major settlement with mortgage lender First Alliance Mortgage Co. in March 2002. The complaint alleged that the defendants loan officers in their sales presentations made blatantly deceptive claims about monetary and other loan terms. The settlement required the defendants to pay an amount equal to virtually the entirety of the corporate assets, as well as a $20 Million payment from the individual who founded and ran the company. Recently the FTC announced that the redress fund will ultimately total about $65 million for nearly 20,000 borrowers. July 2002 The FTC, HUD, State of Illnois, jointly settled a case against a regional subprime lender, Mercantile Mortgage Company Inc., charging violations of the FTC Act,

TILA, HOEPA, and the RESPA. The FTC alleged that the companys employees, and one mortgage broker who was acting as an agent in soliciting and closing loans on its behalf, misrepresented key loan terms to borrowers. The settlement required the the company to make a $250,000 payment for consumer redress and create a program to offer refinanced loans on favorable terms to certain borroweres. At the same time, the Commission and the State of Illinois jointly sued the mortgage broker involved and ultimately reached a settlement providing for and additional $270,000 in consumer redress. FAIRBANKS CAPITAL CORP. Nov. 2003- The FTC along with HUD, announced a settlement with Fairbanks Capital Corp. and its parent company. 15 U.S.C. 45(a) 15 U.S.C. 1639 HOEPA TILA 15 USC 1601 et seq ECOA 15 USC 1691 et seq FCRA 15 USC 1681 et seq FDCPA USC 1692 et seq Harsh Mortgage terms, pre payment penalties, broker kickbacks,

PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION before the BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM on Predatory Lending Practices in the Home-Equity Lending Market September 7, 2000 San Francisco, California I. INTRODUCTION I am Peggy Twohig, Assistant Director for Financial Practices, of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection. (1) I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the serious problem of abusive lending practices in the subprime lending industry, commonly known as "predatory lending." I will provide an overview of predatory lending practices that are occurring in the growing subprime industry and will discuss the Commission's recent activities in this area. I will also address specific areas about which the Board has sought public comment. (2) First, however, let me briefly speak about the Commission's role in enforcing laws that bear on these problems. The Commission has wide-ranging responsibilities concerning nearly all segments of the economy, including jurisdiction over most nonbank lenders. (3) As part of its mandate to protect consumers, the Commission enforces the Federal Trade Commission Act ("FTC Act"), which broadly prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce. (4) The Commission also enforces a number of laws specifically governing lending practices, including the Truth in Lending Act ("TILA"), (5) which requires disclosures and establishes certain substantive requirements in connection with consumer credit transactions; the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act ("HOEPA"), (6) which, as part of the TILA, provides special protections for consumers in certain non-

purchase, high-cost loans secured by their homes; and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act ("ECOA"), (7) which prohibits discrimination against applicants for credit on the basis of age, race, sex, marital status, or other prohibited factors. In addition to our enforcement duties, the Commission also responds to many requests for information about credit issues and consumer credit laws from consumers, industry officials, state law enforcement agencies, and the media. (8) II. THE GROWING PREDATORY LENDING PROBLEM In recent years, subprime lending has grown dramatically. As a percentage of all mortgage originations, the subprime market share increased from less than 5 percent in 1994 to almost 13 percent in 1999. (9) In 1999 alone, subprime lenders originated over $160 billion in home equity loans, (10) a $35 billion increase from 1997. (11) During the last five years, Wall Street investment banks have played an increasingly important role in raising funds for subprime loans. In 1995, $18.5 billion in subprime loans was securitized and by 1999, that figure reached almost $60 billion. (12) The secondary market's expansion has, in turn, helped to sustain growth in the industry by enabling lenders to raise funds on the open market to expand their subprime lending activities. (13) The enormous growth of the subprime mortgage industry has enabled many consumers to obtain home loans who previously would have had much more limited access to the credit market. The Commission is aware, however, of practices in the subprime mortgage market that take advantage of the most vulnerable consumers. Predatory lending practices often exploit lower-income and minority borrowers. (14) In many cases, those living in lower-income and minority neighborhoods -- where traditional banking services continue to be in short supply -- tend to turn to subprime lenders regardless of whether they would qualify for less expensive loans. Subprime loans are three times more likely in low-income neighborhoods than in high-income neighborhoods. (15) In predominately black neighborhoods, subprime lending accounted for 51 percent of refinanced loans in 1998 -- compared with only 9 percent in predominately white areas. (16) Significantly, these disparities still existed when borrowers in black and white neighborhoods were compared while controlling for the income levels of the neighborhood. (17) Elderly homeowners, in particular, are frequent targets of some subprime home equity lenders, because they often have substantial equity in their homes, yet have fixed or declining incomes.

(18) While subprime lenders may expand access to credit for individuals who otherwise would be shut out of the market, unethical lenders may take advantage of consumers in the weakest bargaining position. Predatory lending in the subprime mortgage market covers a wide range of practices. While the practices are quite varied, there are common traits: they generally aim either to extract excessive fees and costs from the borrower or to obtain outright the equity in the borrower's home. This is often accomplished through a combination of aggressive marketing, high-pressure sales tactics, and loan terms, such as prepayment penalties, that inhibit a borrower's ability to go elsewhere for credit. Depending on the particular facts, some of these predatory lending practices may be illegal under various federal or state laws, including the FTC Act, the TILA (including HOEPA's extra protections triggered by high-rate and high-fee loans), or the ECOA. (19) Additionally, if a lender targets borrowers for predatory practices based on age, race, and/or sex, such targeting, depending on the facts, also could violate the ECOA. (20) III. THE COMMISSION'S RESPONSE Given this background, the Commission is taking a variety of steps to address abuses in the subprime market. First, the Commission is increasing its enforcement activities to halt illegal lending practices engaged in by subprime lenders. At the same time, the Commission has been working with other federal agencies and the states to increase and coordinate enforcement efforts. In addition, the Commission has been participating in the interagency task force convened by the Board to examine the issue of predatory lending. The Commission also is educating consumers to help them avoid predatory lending practices. In March 2000, the Commission, in conjunction with the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ") and the Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"), announced a settlement with Delta Funding Corporation, a national subprime mortgage lender. In addition to the allegations brought by DOJ and HUD, the Commission alleged that Delta had engaged in a pattern or practice of asset-based lending and other practices in violation of HOEPA. Specifically, Delta allegedly extended high-cost loans to borrowers based on the borrower's collateral, rather than considering the borrower's current and expected income, current obligations, and employment status to determine whether the borrower was able to make the scheduled payments. In these instances, prudent underwriting criteria would have revealed factors such as high debt-to-income ratios with minimal residual income, unverified income, and higher monthly payments for a borrower already in default indicating that the borrower was likely to have difficulty repaying the loan. The settlement, which provided for nationwide injunctive relief, also resolved allegations by DOJ of violations of the ECOA and HUD of violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. (21) In July 1999, as part of "Operation Home Inequity," the Commission settled cases against seven subprime mortgage lenders for violations of HOEPA, the TILA, and Section 5 of the FTC Act. The HOEPA violations alleged included failure to provide required disclosures, asset-based lending, and use of prohibited terms (such as balloon payments on loans with less than five-year terms, increased interest rates after default, and prohibited prepayment penalties). The settlement agreements provide for substantial remedies and protections for past and future borrowers, including consumer redress totaling $572,500, and, in the case of one lender, a ban against any future involvement

with high-cost loans secured by consumers' homes. (22) More recently, the Commission settled a case of this type against a Washington State lender, Nu West, Inc. That case also included an additional allegation that the lender violated HOEPA by making direct payments to home improvement contractors, and the settlement required the defendants to pay more than $160,000 in consumer redress. (23) In July 1999, the Commission settled charges that another mortgage lender, Fleet Finance, Inc., had failed to provide accurate, timely disclosures of the costs and terms of home equity loans to consumers and had failed to provide or accurately provide consumers with information about their right to cancel their transactions, in violation of the TILA and Section 5 of the FTC Act. The settlement provides for $1.3 million in consumer redress as well as injunctive relief. (24) In January 1998, the Commission filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against Capital City Mortgage Corporation, a Washington, DC-area mortgage lender, and its owner, alleging numerous violations of various federal laws resulting in serious injury to borrowers, including the loss of their homes. (25) The company allegedly made home equity loans to minority, elderly, and lowincome borrowers at interest rates as high as 20-24 percent. Many borrowers faced foreclosure on their properties, after which the company would allegedly buy the properties at auction for prices much lower than their appraised value. The Commission's complaint in this matter, which remains in litigation, alleges violations of the FTC Act, the TILA, the ECOA, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. (26) In the area of loans sold with credit insurance (a practice known as "packing"), the Commission has a long enforcement history. The Commission settled a case in 1997 against The Money Tree, a Georgia-based consumer finance lender, and its president. The case involved, in part, allegations that the company required consumers to purchase credit-related insurance and other "extras" along with their loans, without disclosing to consumers the true cost of their credit. The settlement, among other things, requires The Money Tree to offer refunds of certain insurance premiums to customers whose loans were open at the time the settlement became final. It also mandates that the company approve borrowers' loan applications prior to any discussion with the borrower regarding credit insurance and requires that the company provide expanded disclosures. (27) In 1992, the Commission approved a consent agreement with Tower Loan of Mississippi settling similar charges regarding its consumer loans. (28) These cases, as well as earlier enforcement actions, (29) have provided an important foundation for the Commission in its investigations of potential packing practices in home equity lending. For example, most recently the Commission jointly settled a case, along with HUD, against Action Loan Company, Inc., of Louisville, Kentucky, and its owner and president, requiring the defendants to pay a $350,000 civil penalty and up to a total of $37,000 in consumer redress. The complaint included allegations that the defendants violated the TILA and Regulation Z by failing to include the cost of accident and health insurance in their disclosure of the

finance charge and annual percentage rate (APR) of a consumer loan and that they violated Section 5 of the FTC Act by misrepresenting that consumers were purchasing only credit life insurance when, in fact, they were also purchasing accident and health insurance. (30) In addition to its ongoing investigations, the Commission is sharing its knowledge and experience with other enforcement agencies and with consumers. In 1997, the Commission's Bureau of Consumer Protection held joint law enforcement sessions on home equity lending abuses with state regulators and law enforcers in six cities around the country. These training sessions were conducted to assist states in exercising their relatively new enforcement authority under HOEPA (31) and to share information about recent trends. The Commission has implemented an aggressive consumer education program and has published a series of free publications specifically for homeowners and potential home buyers. For example, in 1996, the Commission first produced "High-Rate, High-Fee Loans (Section 32 Mortgages)" to alert homeowners about their rights under HOEPA. In 1998, in conjunction with the filing of the Capital City complaint, the Commission issued two publications to help consumers recognize and avoid home equity scams and abuses: "Avoiding Home Equity Scams" and "Home Equity Loans: Borrowers Beware." In January 1999, the Commission, along with ten other federal agencies, including the Board, produced "Looking for the BEST Mortgage - Shop, Compare, Negotiate" to help consumers shop for home loans. During the first annual National Consumer Protection Week in February 1999, which highlighted credit fraud and abusive lending practices, the Commission distributed more than 500,000 credit-related publications. As part of "Operation Home Inequity" in July 1999, the Commission partnered with AARP to produce "Need a Loan? Think Twice About Using Your Home as Collateral."(32) In fiscal year 2000, the Commission distributed approximately 200,000 free publications on home equity lending, including over 50,000 online publications. IV. HOW THE BOARD MIGHT FURTHER ADDRESS PREDATORY LENDING PRACTICES In the TILA, Congress gave the Board the authority to prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes of the Act and, in doing so, to take such actions "as in the judgment of the Board are necessary or proper to effectuate the purposes of [the TILA], to prevent circumvention or evasion thereof, or to facilitate compliance therewith." (33) Pursuant to this authority, the Board enacted Regulation Z, which implements the TILA. (34) With the HOEPA amendment to the TILA, Congress gave the Board two types of additional regulatory authority. First, Congress granted the Board the authority to prohibit by regulation or order acts or practices in connection with mortgage loans that the Board finds to be unfair, deceptive, or designed to evade the provisions of HOEPA. (35) The legislative history of HOEPA indicates that Congress intended that the Board look to the standards employed by the Commission in defining unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the FTC Act.

(36) Second, Congress gave the Board the authority to prohibit acts or practices in connection with the refinancing of mortgage loans that the Board finds to be associated with abusive lending practices or that are otherwise not in the interest of the borrower. (37) Based on our enforcement experience, the Commission recommends that the Board further restrict certain acts and practices under HOEPA and change the HOEPA triggers to expand HOEPA's coverage. These recommendations are interrelated. As discussed below, a very small percentage of subprime mortgage loans are currently covered by HOEPA and the Commission has observed problem lending practices in subprime loans where the rates or fees fall below the current triggers. As a result, the protections offered by HOEPA, which we strongly support, will help relatively few borrowers unless HOEPA is expanded to cover more loans. In addition, the Board should provide additional clarification of certain HOEPA provisions. A. Restricting Certain Acts or Practices under HOEPA 1. Credit Insurance and Other "Extra" Products Recommendation: Prohibit the Financing of Single-Premium Credit Insurance and Other Loan Extras. As discussed above, the Commission has a long enforcement history in the area of loans sold with credit insurance and other "extras." (38) Predatory lenders stand to make significant profits from credit insurance, not only because the premium itself is very profitable but also because the premium is typically financed as part of the loan, resulting in extra fees and interest. (39) Thus, lenders have strong incentives to induce consumers to buy credit insurance as part of the loan. (40) Typically, credit insurance is sold for all or a substantial part of the loan term with a single premium, payable up front and financed as part of the loan. However, borrowers are not able to evaluate the costs and benefits of the insurance purchase because it is often included automatically with the loan and its terms are not explained. As a result, consumers may spend thousands of dollars for credit insurance in connection with loans without having made an independent decision to buy the insurance. A single-premium payment scheme that commits consumers up front to long-term credit insurance precludes them from ever making a separate, fully-informed decision about insurance. And, it requires them to finance the premium, and the points on the premium for the life of the loan. We recommend that the Board use its authority under HOEPA to prohibit the practice of financing lump-sum credit insurance (as well as other loan "extras") for HOEPA loans. The Commission has recommended that Congress adopt this same prohibition. (41) The Board could prohibit this practice in connection with the "refinancing of mortgage loans that the Board finds to be associated with abusive lending practices, or that are not otherwise in the best interest of the borrower." (42) In the alternative, the Board should consider prohibiting the financing of singlepremium credit insurance and extras pursuant to its authority under HOEPA to regulate unfair or deceptive acts or practices. (43) A prohibition on the practice of financing single-premium credit insurance would prevent the abusive practice of packing by regulating the method for collecting credit insurance premiums in connection with HOEPA loans. A prohibition on the financing of

premiums would not prohibit the sale of credit insurance; the insurance could be sold on a cash basis with premiums paid periodically over the course of the loan. We believe, however, for any sale of credit insurance in HOEPA loans (even if paid over the term of the loan), there should be a further requirement: the Board should require that each billing statement disclose the cost of credit insurance, and that the insurance is optional and can be canceled at any time. (44) The Departments of Treasury and Housing and Urban Development, in Curbing Predatory Home Mortgage Lending: A Joint Report, United States Department of the Treasury and United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, June 2000 ("HUD/Treasury Report"), support a prohibition on the financing of single-premium credit insurance in mortgage transactions. When making this recommendation, the agencies stated that lump-sum products that are paid for in advance and financed over the life of the loan, (45) such as single-premium credit insurance, "provide the borrower no net benefit," and for that reason, "are almost always not in the interest of the borrower." (46) As the HUD/Treasury Report also states, the sale of such products at closing is arguably inherently deceptive "because so many borrowers conclude that they must purchase the products in order to close the loan, or fail at all to notice the products among the lengthy settlement documents." (47) Similarly, the Commission's enforcement experience is that single-premium credit insurance and other extras are often marketed deceptively or unfairly, through the packing of credit insurance with the credit extension. A prohibition on this practice is necessary to protect consumers, and disclosures alone would not be adequate. Typically the bargaining positions of the lender and borrower in these transactions are highly unequal. Borrowers are presented with a multitude of documents to sign in a highpressure atmosphere with little opportunity to read and comprehend all of the information contained in the documents. Borrowers may feel that the terms are not negotiable in any event. In analogous situations, the Commission has concluded that the nature of the transaction does not permit free and informed consumer choice, that disclosure alone would not cure the violative practice, and that only restrictions on the practice itself would be sufficient. (48) Recommendation: If the Board Does Not Prohibit the Financing of Single-Premium Credit Insurance, It Should Separate the Sale of Credit Insurance from the Credit Transaction. The Board asks whether, if the practice is not prohibited, the Board should regulate the conditions under which single-premium credit insurance is sold or financed. It states that such regulation might include prohibiting creditors from selling singlepremium credit insurance until after loan closing. If the Board does not prohibit the financing of single-premium credit insurance and other extra products sold with loans, the Board should adopt regulations that unpack the two transactions in HOEPA loans as much as possible. (49) The Board should require that the offer and sale of credit insurance and extras be separated from the credit transaction. The most effective and simplest way to do that would be to prohibit creditors from selling single-premium credit insurance until after closing a HOEPA loan. Alternatively, if the Board does not prohibit the sale of single-

premium credit insurance until after loan closing, the Board should, with regard to HOEPA loans: (1) declare it to be an unfair or deceptive act or practice for a creditor to quote loan terms (such as the amount of the monthly payment) to a consumer with the cost of credit-related insurance or other extras automatically included; (2) require that the creditor notify the consumer that she has been approved for credit prior to marketing credit insurance and extras in order to dispel any impression on the part of the consumer that the purchase of credit insurance or extras are required for loan approval; (50) (3) specify that information about the cost and terms of credit insurance and extras must be separate from the credit cost information; and (4) if the credit insurance and extras are financed, require the creditor to provide separate documentation relating only to that transaction. Alternatively, the Board could require that two cost disclosures, one with and one without the cost of credit insurance and extras, be provided as part of the HOEPA disclosures given to the borrowers three days in advance, if it has not been prohibited as discussed previously. 2. Mandatory Arbitration Agreements in HOEPA Loans Recommendation: The Board Should Ban Mandatory Arbitration Agreements in HOEPA Loans. Over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in the use of mandatory arbitration clauses in consumer credit contracts, in particular in the subprime industry. In many contexts, alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration, may benefit consumers. However, the Commission is troubled by the use of mandatory arbitration in the context of HOEPA loans. Mandatory arbitration clauses require, as a condition of receiving the loan, that the borrower agree to resolve any dispute arising out of the loan through mandatory arbitration rather than litigation. Consumers may be presented with an arbitration agreement for the first time at loan closing, with no prior notice of the requirement, and among a stack of other complicated loan documents. At that time, even if consumers have an opportunity to read the agreement, consumers are unlikely to inquire about it out of fear they will lose the loan. (51) Consumers are focused on getting a loan, and not on the unanticipated event of default. In addition, borrowers may not understand the significance of agreeing to arbitration and various associated terms, such as cost allocation. (52) In fact, arbitration may be more costly and inconvenient for the borrower and thus be a disincentive to pursuing legal rights. (53) Moreover, there are significant procedural and substantive distinctions between arbitration proceedings and litigation that might have an adverse effect on a consumer's ability to pursue her remedies for HOEPA violations. By signing a mandatory arbitration agreement, borrowers waive their right to a jury trial and the ability to pursue claims through class action litigation. In arbitration, there is also limited factual discovery and remedies such as punitive damages and injunctive relief are typically unavailable. (54) A decision by an arbitrator in one case has no precedential value; indeed, there is no requirement that the decision-maker give any reasons for the decision. Thus, predatory lenders can shield their abusive practices from public scrutiny. Perhaps most importantly, mandatory arbitration agreements undermine consumers' ability to exercise statutory rights conferred by the TILA, HOEPA, ECOA, and other laws which were passed to protect consumers in the credit marketplace. (55) Review of arbitration awards is very limited. "Arbitrators can misconstrue contracts,

make erroneous decisions of fact, and misapply law, all without having their awards vacated." (56) Further, as the HUD/Treasury Report states in recommending that mandatory arbitration clauses be prohibited for high-cost loans: The most vulnerable borrowers in the subprime market may be the least likely to understand adequately the implications of agreeing to mandatory arbitration. Since they may also be the most likely borrowers to default or be foreclosed upon, it is especially important that they retain the rights afforded them under federal fair lending and consumer protection laws. In the high-cost market, the difference in bargaining power between lenders and borrowers is particularly acute, making pre-dispute arbitration an unwise option for these consumers. (57) For these reasons, the Commission has recommended to Congress a prohibition of mandatory arbitration clauses in HOEPA loans. (58) While the Commission recognizes the benefits of alternative dispute resolution, it does not support mandatory arbitration agreements imposed in HOEPA loans where consumers and their homes are most vulnerable. With regard to Board action in this area, the Commission recommends that the Board consider using its authority to prohibit the use of mandatory arbitration clauses in HOEPA loans under the Board's authority to prohibit acts or practices in connection with the "refinancing of mortgage loans that the Board finds to be associated with abusive lending practices, or that are not otherwise in the best interest of the borrower." (59) 3. Asset-Based Lending Asset-based lending, where a loan is based on equity in a property rather than on a borrower's ability to repay the loan, is among the most harmful of predatory lending practices. Studies conducted in several metropolitan communities reveal that as subprime lending has increased, foreclosure rates have increased even more. In Chicago, the subprime share of the mortgage origination market rose from 3 percent to 24 percent between 1991 and 1997. However, between 1993 and 1998, the subprime market's share of foreclosures increased from 1.3 percent to 35.7 percent. (60) Among lenders in Atlanta that report HMDA data, the overall share of foreclosures attributable to subprime lending increased from 5 percent in 1996 to 16 percent in 1999. (61) In Baltimore, the subprime share of foreclosures is much higher than the subprime share of mortgage originations; while subprime loans accounted for 45 percent of the foreclosure petitions, the subprime share of mortgage originations was 21 percent in 1998. (62) Under HOEPA, a creditor may not engage in a "pattern or practice" of extending credit based on the consumer's collateral without regard to the consumer's repayment ability (including the consumer's current and expected income, current obligations, and employment status). (63) Regulation Z, implementing this provision, prohibits such extensions of credit if the consumer will be unable to make the scheduled loan payments. (64) The Board asks whether additional interpretive guidance on the "pattern or practice" requirement would be useful, and, if so, what elements of the requirement the guidance

should address. The Board also asks what regulatory standard it could adopt for determining whether a creditor has actually considered the consumer's ability to repay the loan. Recommendation: The Board Should Adopt the Fair Housing Act Standard for Defining "Pattern or Practice." Additional guidance on the meaning of "pattern or practice" is needed. We believe that the appropriate "pattern or practice" standard should be the same as that under the Fair Housing Act ("FHA"). (65) The FHA, as amended, authorizes the Attorney General of the United States to bring an enforcement action if she has reasonable cause to believe that a person or group of persons is engaged in a "pattern or practice" of resistance to the full enjoyment of any of the rights granted by the FHA. (66) To fulfill the "pattern or practice" requirement, the discrimination must result from more than a mere isolated, accidental or peculiar event. (67) However, no minimum number of incidents is required, (68) and courts have awarded relief based on as few as six incidents of discrimination. (69) Moreover, the construction adopted by the Courts suggests that a wide range of evidence may be used to prove a "pattern or practice" of discrimination under the FHA. (70) Similar latitude should be available to agencies seeking to establish that a creditor has engaged in a pattern or practice of asset-based lending in violation of HOEPA. (71) For a variety of reasons, it may not always be possible to prove a pattern or practice of asset-based lending through an "empirical analysis of a representative sample of all of the lender's loans." (72) There are often other ways, however, to establish a practice of a lender, such as through the lender's marketing materials or other documents or testimony from the lender's employees and borrowers. The Board should clarify that the "pattern or practice" requirement under HOEPA has the same meaning as the "pattern or practice" requirement under the Fair Housing Act. Recommendation: The Board Should Adopt Standards Regarding the Determination of the Consumer's Ability to Pay Without a Definitive Safe Harbor and Should Require Creditors to Document Information Considered in Determining Ability to Repay. The Board has also asked for comment as to what regulatory standard it could adopt for determining whether a creditor has considered a consumer's ability to repay. The Commission has brought a number of enforcement actions in which it has alleged that creditors have not met this legal requirement. In these cases, the Commission has based allegations of HOEPA violations on a variety of facts that established the creditor's failure to consider ability to repay. In some cases, the lenders were not considering income at all, were not verifying income or employment, or were not even obtaining credit reports to determine and verify current obligations. The Commission also alleged HOEPA violations where other factors demonstrated that the lender did not sufficiently consider ability to repay, such as loans where the borrower's debt payments left her with insufficient income for living expenses, or loans that caused monthly debt payments to increase, even though the borrower was already in default and there was no change in

financial circumstances. (73) Further clarification by the Board of the standards creditors should meet would ensure that they are adequately considering ability to repay. However, since we are still learning about the various ways lenders have not adequately considered ability to repay, we encourage the Board not to carve out an absolute safe harbor at this time, but to leave room for proof of overall failure to consider ability to repay. Further, we have encountered extremely poor documentation by lenders regarding what factors were considered in determining ability to pay. While Regulation B, which implements the ECOA, requires a creditor to retain "written or recorded information used in evaluating the application," it does not generally require that such information be created in the first instance. (74) Requiring such documentation would assist the Commission and others in their efforts to evaluate the occurrence of unlawful asset-based lending. 4. Refinancing Lower Rate Loans Recommendation: The Board Should Prohibit Creditors from Representing Falsely or Without Substantiation That a Loan Will Save the Consumer Money. The Board notes that, when a consumer seeks a second mortgage to consolidate debts or finance home improvements, some creditors require the existing first mortgage to be paid off as a condition of providing the new funds. Requiring a lower rate first mortgage to be paid off in connection with a higher rate debt consolidation or home improvement loan, increases substantially the cost to the borrower. The Board asks what regulatory action is appropriate to protect consumers from refinancing abuses without restricting legitimate transactions. The Commission would likely regard it as a deceptive practice in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act for a creditor to represent falsely or without substantiation that refinancing will save the consumer money. The Commission recently announced a settlement with a lender who, in advertising debt consolidation loans, allegedly made such representations in violation of the FTC Act. (75) The Commission urges the Board to consider using its authority under HOEPA to prohibit such false or unsubstantiated representations as deceptive or unfair. This approach would help to prevent abuse by providing an added remedy without restricting the types of transactions available to consumers. B. Adjusting the HOEPA Triggers 1. APR Trigger Recommendation: The Board Should Lower the HOEPA APR Trigger to 8 %. One measure of whether a loan is a HOEPA loan is whether it has an APR of ten percentage points or more above Treasury rates for securities with comparable maturities ("the APR trigger"). The Board has the authority under HOEPA to reset the APR trigger as high as twelve percent and as low as eight percent. According to the HUD/Treasury Report, due to the high thresholds that a loan must exceed for HOEPA to apply, very few consumers in the subprime market benefit from the law's provisions. (76) According to the Report, anecdotal evidence suggests that abuses often occur in loans priced just below the HOEPA triggers. (77) Based on these findings, the HUD/Treasury Report recommends that Congress lower the HOEPA APR trigger to 6 percentage points above Treasury securities for first liens and 8 percentage points above Treasury securities for second liens. The Report also recommends that the Board lower the APR trigger to 8%. (78) Lowering the APR trigger below 8 percentage points would require a statutory

change. Based on the Commission's experience to date in investigating predatory lending practices, only a small portion of subprime loans are HOEPA loans. Many lenders price their loans just below the HOEPA triggers, yet we have found abusive lending practices often occur in loans that fall below the triggers. Thus, we recommend that the Board exercise its authority to lower the APR trigger to 8 percentage points to ensure maximum consumer protection. (79) 2. The Points and Fees Trigger Recommendation: Credit Insurance Premiums Should be Included in the HOEPA Points and Fees Trigger. The Commission has recommended to Congress that credit insurance premiums be included in the HOEPA points and fees trigger. (80) Similarly, the Commission recommends to the Board that lump-sum financed credit insurance premiums (and other loan extras) be included in HOEPA's fees-based trigger. (81) Under current law, credit insurance costs, unless required, are not included in calculating whether a loan is covered by HOEPA. A creditor can use the means described above to effectively bundle the insurance with the loan, and still exclude the insurance costs from the fee calculation. A creditor can thereby keep the interest rate and closing fees just below HOEPA's triggers for coverage but achieve a higher total return, and consumers will pay costs that, in practice, are above HOEPA's triggers. Including all lump-sum financed credit insurance premiums and loan extras in HOEPA's fees-based trigger will prevent predatory lenders from avoiding HOEPA's requirements simply by shifting loan costs to credit insurance. C. Other Issues On Which the Board Has Requested Comment 1. HOEPA Disclosures The Board seeks comments as to how to make the HOEPA-required advance disclosures more effective. The Commission generally supports any change to the HOEPA notice that would increase its effectiveness in notifying consumers three days before closing of certain critical terms. Recommendation: The Board Should Require Disclosure of Prepayment Penalty Terms in the HOEPA Disclosure. Specifically, we believe that the effect of any prepayment penalty, where permitted, should be added to the HOEPA disclosure. This is an additional item of information that could significantly affect a consumer's judgment as to whether to proceed with the loan. Creditors sometimes make high cost loans palatable to a consumer experiencing financial difficulty by promising that the consumer will be able to refinance the loan on more favorable terms within a short period of time. (82) Such representations without corresponding disclosure of the prepayment penalty terms on the consumer's ability to refinance are likely to mislead consumers. For that reason, the Board should require that the HOEPA disclosure contain the following in plain language: (1) that the loan contract contains a prepayment penalty; (2) the number of years for which any prepayment penalty applies; and (3) the conditions under which it will be imposed. 2. Open-End Home Equity Lines The Board notes that HOEPA does not cover home equity lines of credit and asks if there is evidence that lenders are using openend credit lines to evade HOEPA. If so, the Board asks what benefit might be derived from prohibiting the practice of structuring a loan as open-end credit in order to evade HOEPA. The Board asks how such practices might be identified and what limitations on these practices would be appropriate to effect the purposes of HOEPA. Recommendation: There is Evidence that Lenders Are Using Open-End Credit Lines to Evade HOEPA, But Current Law Appears to Provide Adequate Remedies. The Commission has brought two enforcement actions -- as a part of "Operation Home Inequity" -- that included allegations

that lenders, in the course of offering and making HOEPA mortgage loans, represented to consumers that the credit offered and extended to them was open-end credit. The complaints state that the lenders made such representations when, in fact, the credit extended was closed-end credit subject to HOEPA, and that, by making such false representations, lenders engaged in deceptive acts and practices in violation of the FTC Act. (83) The complaints also alleged, because the loans were, in fact, HOEPA loans, that the creditors failed to comply with HOEPA. These cases provide evidence that lenders are using spurious open-end credit lines to evade HOEPA. They also demonstrate that the practice can successfully be attacked, at a minimum, as a violation of HOEPA. Thus, it is not clear that it is necessary to prohibit such a practice expressly because, in our experience, we have been successful in asserting that the practice is already prohibited. V. CONCLUSION The Commission is continuing to examine and take appropriate law enforcement action regarding the problem of predatory lending. Due to sharp growth in the subprime mortgage industry, it appears that predatory lending practices are also on the rise. As a result of unfair and deceptive practices and other federal law violations by certain lenders, vulnerable borrowers are facing the possibility of paying significant and unnecessary fees and, in some cases, losing their homes. Using its enforcement authority, the Commission continues to work to protect consumers from these abuses. The Commission supports the Board's efforts to expand HOEPA's protections to increase consumer protection in this important area. ENDNOTES 1. This comment represents the views of the Federal Trade Commission. Responses to any questions you have are my own and do not necessarily reflect the Commission's views or the views of any individual Commissioner. 2. See 65 Fed. Reg. 42,889 (2000). 3. See, e.g., 15 U.S.C. 45(a); 15 U.S.C. 1607. 4. See 15 U.S.C. 45(a). 5. See 15 U.S.C. 1601-1667(f). 6. See 15 U.S.C. 1639. 7. See 15 U.S.C. 1691. 8. A number of the remarks in this testimony are based on the Commission's administrative and enforcement experience in the area of home equity lending, including consultations with individual consumers, consumer groups, and industry officials. 9. See Curbing Predatory Home Mortgage Lending: A Joint Report, United States Department of the Treasury and United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, June 2000 ("HUD/Treasury Report") at 27-28. 10. See Top 25 B & C Lenders in 1999, Inside B & C Lending, Feb. 14, 2000, at 2. 11. See Top 25 B & C Lenders in 1997, Inside B & C Lending, Feb. 16, 1998, at 2. 12. See HUD/Treasury Report, supra note 9, at 40. 13. See Martin Wahl and Craig Focardi, The Stampede, Mortgage Banking, Oct. 1997, at 26, 29. Growth in subprime originations also has been aided somewhat by the increasing availability of warehouse lines of credit, which provide short-term funding to lenders for the purpose of loan financing. See Warehouse Lines of Credit: Limited for B & C Lenders?, Inside B & C Lending, Feb. 17, 1997, at 9. 14. See Complaint, F.T.C. v. Capital City Mortgage Corp., No. 1:98-CV-00237 (D.D.C. filed Jan. 29, 1998); Anastasia Hendrix, Oakland Widow: They Stole My House, S.F. Examiner, Apr. 13, 1997, at A-1; Kay Stewart & David Heath, High-Cost Loans Trap Those Least Able To Afford It, Louisville Courier-Journal, Feb. 16, 1997, at 16-17; Lucille Renwick, Wolf at the Door, L.A. Times, Mar. 14, 1993, at 16. 15. See HUD/Treasury Report, supra note 9, at 45. 16. Id. Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data indicate that borrowers in black neighborhoods are five times as likely to refinance in the subprime market than

borrowers in white neighborhoods. Id. at 45. 17. Id. at 45-46. 18. For example, the Department of Justice announced a settlement in September 1996 with Long Beach Mortgage Company addressing allegations, inter alia, that the company discriminated against the elderly, African Americans, Latinos, and women by charging higher rates than were offered to other similarly-qualified borrowers. The combination of these factors was alleged to be crucial. For example, African American females over the age of 55 were 2.6 times more likely than white males under age 56 to be charged fees and points that amounted to 6% or more of the loan amount. See Complaint, United States v. Long Beach Mortgage, Civ. No. 96-6159DT (CWX) (C.D. Cal. filed Sept. 5, 1996). 19. See id. for a discussion of the Department of Justice's settlement with Long Beach Mortgage. 20. See Brief of the United States As Amicus Curiae, Hargraves v. Capital City Mortgage Corp., Civ. Action No. 98-1021 (D.D.C. 1998). 21. The complaint alleged that higher broker fees were charged to African American females than to white males in violation of the ECOA and the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 3601-3619, and that few or no services were performed in exchange for certain broker charges in violation of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, 12 U.S.C. 2607. See United States v. Delta Funding Corp. and Delta Financial Corp. Civ. Action No. 00 1872 (E.D.N.Y.) (April 2000). 22. See Federal Trade Commission, Home Equity Lenders Settle Charges That They Engaged in Abusive Lending Practices; Over Half Million Dollars To Be Returned to Consumers, Press Release, July 29, 1999. 23. See Federal Trade Commission, Subprime Lender Agrees to Settle FTC Charges of Violating Federal Lending and Consumer Protection Laws, Press Release, July 18, 2000. 24. See FTC v. Fleet Fin., Inc., C3899 (F.T.C. Oct. 5, 1999). 25. See Complaint, Capital City Mortgage, supra note 14. 26. See 15 U.S.C. 1692. 27. See The Money Tree, 123 F.T.C. 1187 (1997). 28. See Tower Loan of Miss., 115 F.T.C. 140 (1992). 29. See, e.g., Matter of Commercial Credit Co., 82 F.T.C. 1841 (1973), order reopened and modified, 98 F.T.C. 783 (1981). 30. See Federal Trade Commission, Sub-prime Lender Agrees to Pay $350,000 Civil Penalty to Settle Charges of Violating Federal Lending Laws, Press Release, Aug. 24, 2000. 31. State Attorneys General also have authority to enforce HOEPA. See 15 U.S.C. 1640 (e). 32. Additional housing-related brochures issued by the Commission include: After a Disaster: Hiring a Contractor; Reverse Mortgages: Cashing in on Home Ownership; and Home Equity Loans: The Three Day Cancellation Rule. 33. See 15 U.S.C. 1604(a). 34. See 12 C.F.R. 226. 35. See 15 U.S.C. 1639(l)(2)(A). 36. See H.R. Conf. Rep. No. 103-652, at 365 (1994). This history is consistent with Section 18 of the FTC Act, which, in order to prevent unfair or deceptive acts or practices by banks not subject to the FTC's jurisdiction, directs the Board to prescribe "regulations defining with specificity such unfair or deceptive acts or practices." Section 18 requires the Board, whenever the FTC issues a trade regulation rule pursuant to its authority to prohibit unfair or deceptive acts or practices, to promulgate substantially similar regulations for banks. The Board is not required to prescribe such similar regulations only if the Board determines that such acts or practices by banks are not unfair or deceptive or that the implementation of such a regulation with respect to banks would seriously conflict with essential monetary and payments systems policies of the Board. The Board must publish any such determination, and the reason for it, in the Federal Register. See 15 U.S.C. 18(f)(1). 37. See 15 U.S.C. 1639(l)(2)(B). 38. Loan "extras" can be any products added to the cost of a loan, for example the cost of insurance that is not related to the credit or membership in an automobile or shopping club. See Money Tree, supra note 27 (complaint alleged that Money Tree required consumers to purchase credit-related insurance, non-credit-related insurance and auto club memberships but failed to disclose to consumers the true cost of credit). 39. The guidelines established by the National Association of Insurance

Commissioners suggest that lenders and insurers may retain up to 40 cents on the dollar from premiums paid by borrowers, with 60% of premium payments paid out for claims. In most states, however, lenders and insurers retain more than 40% of premium monies; in some states, they keep up to 70% or 80% of the proceeds. See Jane Bryant Quinn, Credit Life Insurance Often Overpriced, Wash. Post, Feb. 9, 1997, at H2. 40. The National Consumer Law Center recently recited the experience of one borrower who paid $2,200 for a credit life insurance policy sold to her in connection with a home-secured loan with a principal of $40,606.26. The cost of this insurance added over 5% to the cost of the loan. The National Consumer Law Center proposes prohibiting the lump-sum financing of credit insurance premiums. See National Consumer Law Center, Proposal For Predatory Mortgage Reform, March 20, 2000. 41. See Predatory Lending Practices in the Subprime Industry: Hearings before the House Comm. on Banking and Fin. Servs., 106th Cong. 16-17 (2000) (statement of David Medine, Associate Director for Financial Practices, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission). In their TILA/RESPA report, the Federal Reserve Board and the Department of Housing and Urban Development also recommended prohibiting the advance collection of lump-sum credit insurance premiums for HOEPA loans. See Joint Report to the Congress Concerning Reform to the Truth and Lending Act and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, July 1998. See also HUD/Treasury Report, supra note 9, at 88. 42. See 15 U.S.C. 1639(l)(2)(B). 43. See 15 U.S.C. 1639(l)(2)(A). 44. The HUD/Treasury Report recommends that the Board "also require lenders to disclose to consumers any right they may have to cancel [credit] insurance." See HUD/Treasury Report, supra note 9, at 88. 45. Any such product, the cost of which is paid in advance in connection with a subprime mortgage loan, will inevitably be financed as consumers who obtain subprime loans will unlikely be able to afford paying the high cost of such products in cash. 46. See HUD/Treasury Report, supra note 9, at 88. Not surprisingly, the Commission in its investigations has not seen credit insurance offered as a way to lower the loan's interest rate. 47. Id. 48. See FTC Trade Regulation Rule on Credit Practices, 16 C.F.R. 444 (1995) and accompanying Statement of Basis and Purpose and Regulatory Analysis, 49 Fed. Reg. 7740, 7787-7788 (1984). See also FTC Trade Regulation Rule on Funeral Industry Practices, 16 C.F.R 453 (1994) and accompanying Statement of Basis and Purpose 47 Fed. Reg. 42260 (1982). 49. To that end, the HUD/Treasury Report recommends that the sale of non-mortgage products such as credit insurance be restricted to post-closing. See HUD/Treasury Report, supra note 9, at 88. 50. Creditors are free to require the purchase of credit insurance as a condition of loan approval. If they do, however, the TILA and Regulation Z require that the cost of the insurance be included in the finance charge and APR disclosed to the consumer. See 12 C.F.R. 226.4(d). 51. Cf. American Fin. Servs. v. FTC, 767 F.2d 957 (D.C. Cir. 1985), cert. denied, 475 U.S. 1011 (1986) (describing a number of factors in credit transactions that hinder consumer ability to compare and bargain over remedial provisions in standard form contracts). 52. The Supreme Court has granted certiorari in a case in which the lower court declared a mandatory arbitration clause unenforceable "because it fails to provide the minimum guarantees required to ensure [the borrower's] ability to vindicate her statutory rights will not be undone by steep filing fees, steep arbitrators' fees, or other high costs of arbitration." Randolph v. Green Tree Fin., 178 F.3d 1149, 1158 (11th Cir. 1999), cert. granted, 68 U.S.L.W. 3629 (U.S. April 3, 2000) (No. 99-1235). See also Johnson v. TeleCash Inc., 82 F. Supp. 2d 264, 271 (D. Del. 1999) (order denying motion to compel arbitration citing an "inherent conflict" between compelling arbitration and the underlying purposes of TILA). 53. See Jean R. Sternlight, Panacea or Corporate Tool?: Debunking the Supreme Court's Preference for Binding Arbitration, 74 Wash. L.Q. 637

(1996). 54. See Overview of Contractual Mandatory Binding Arbitration: Hearings Before the Senate Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts of the Senate Judiciary Committee, 106th Cong. (2000) (statement of Patricia Sturdevant, Executive Director and General Counsel, National Association of Consumer Advocates). 55. This principle is similar to the Commission's determination that Spiegel's policy of using state long-arm statutes to sue distant mail order customers in Illinois was an unfair practice. Spiegel, Inc. v. F.T.C., 540 F.2d 287, 293 (7th Cir. 1976). In that case, the Commission determined that Spiegel's practice was "contrary to clearly articulated public policy, intended to guarantee all citizens a meaningful opportunity to defend themselves in court." Id. 56. See 4 Ian R. Macneil et al., Federal Arbitration Law: Agreements, Awards & Remedies Under the Federal Arbitration Act 40.61 (1994). 57. See HUD/Treasury Report, supra note 9, at 96. 58. See Predatory Lending Practices in the Subprime Industry: Hearings before the House Comm. on Banking and Fin. Servs., 106th Cong. 16-17 (2000) (statement of David Medine, Associate Director for Financial Practices, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission). 59. See 15 U.S.C. 1639(l)(2)(B). 60. See HUD/Treasury Report at 47. 61. Id. at 48. 62. Id. at 4849. 63. See 15 U.S.C. 1639(h). 64. See 12 C.F.R. 226.32(e)(1). 65. See 42 U.S.C. 3601. The HUD/Treasury Report also recommends that the Board adopt the Fair Housing Act standard for interpreting the "pattern or practice" requirement." See HUD Treasury Report, supra note 9, at 75-76. Further, the Report recommends that Congress repeal the "pattern or practice" standard under HOEPA and create a safe harbor. See HUD/Treasury Report at 75. 66. 42 U.S.C.A. 3614 (1994). 67. See United States v. Pelzer Realty Co., 484 F.2d 438, 444-45 (5th Cir. 1973), cert denied, 416 U.S. 936 (1974); United States v. Balistrieri, 981 F.2d 916, 929 (7th Cir. 1992), cert denied, 510 U.S. 812 (1993) ("isolated or sporadic acts of discrimination [do] not suffice to prove a pattern or practice"). 68. United States v. West Peachtree Tenth Corp., 437 F.2d 221, 227 (5th Cir. 1971); United States v. Real Estate Dev. Corp., 347 F. Supp. 776, 783 (D.Miss. 1972); cf. United States v. Hunter, 459 F.2d 205, 217 (4th Cir. 1972), cert denied, 409 U.S. 934 (1972) (where only two allegedly discriminatory advertisements appeared in a newspaper, the first being published before the Act and the second in error, no "pattern or practice" was shown through these sporadic and unintentional violations of the Act); United States v, Saroff, 377 F. Supp. 352, 362 (E.D. Tenn. 1974) (no "pattern or practice" where very few agents of a realtor made isolated remarks about the race of prospective buyers). 69. See Balistrieri, supra note 67, at 929. 70. See, e.g., United States v. Reddoch, 467 F.2d 897, 898-99 (5th Cir. 1972) (court found the existence of a discriminatory "pattern or practice" on the basis of the testimony of the resident manager, two former assistant resident managers, and former and prospective black and white tenants); United States v. Big D Enterprises., 184 F.3d 924, 930 (8th Cir. 1999) (court found "pattern or practice" based on the testimony of several apartment managers). 71. It is troubling that the one court to address the "pattern or practice" requirement under HOEPA has held that it requires an "empirical analysis of a representative sample of all of the lender's loans." Newton v. United Cos. Fin. Corp., 24 F. Supp. 2d 444, 457 (E.D. Pa. 1998). In the Commission's view, this court ignored the well-established analogous case law under the FHA, and imposed an unreasonably high burden to prove "pattern or practice" for HOEPA violations. 72. See Newton, supra, note 71, at 457. 73. See Complaint, Delta Funding Corp., supra note 21. 74. See 12 C.F.R. 202.12(b)(1)(i). Regulation B does require that creditors take written applications for credit to be secured by the applicant's residence, but does not require that other information such as that relating to credit history or income verification be in writing. See 12 C.F.R. 202.5(e). 75. See Federal Trade Commission, FirstPlus Financial Group, Inc. Agrees to Settle FTC Charges that Ads for

debt Consolidation Loans were False and Misleading, Press Release, August 17, 2000. 76. The Report estimates that, during the period July through September 1999, only "0.7% of subprime loans . . . would have met the HOEPA APR threshold." The estimate is derived from calculations using the note rate, rather than the APR, so the actual number may be higher. See HUD/Treasury Report, supra note 9, at 82. 77. Id. at 82. 78. Id. at 83. 79. It is estimated that an additional 5% of subprime mortgage loans would come under HOEPA if the Board lowered the APR trigger to 8%. The estimate is derived from calculations using the note rate, rather than the APR, so the actual number may be higher. Id. at 84. 80. See Predatory Lending Practices in the Subprime Industry: Hearings before the House Comm. on Banking and Fin. Servs., 106th Cong. 16-17 (2000) (statement of David Medine, Associate Director for Financial Practices, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission). 81. The HUD/Treasury report recommends to Congress and the Board that single-premium credit insurance, if it is not prohibited, should be included in the points-and-fees trigger under HOEPA. See HUD/Treasury Report, supra note 9, at 84. 82. See Complaint, Hargraves, supra note 20. 83. See Complaints, F.T.C. v. CLS Fin. Servs., Inc., Civ. No.C99-1215Z (W.D. Wash. 1999); and F.T.C. v. Wasatch Credit Corp., Civ No.2-99 CV579G (D. Utah 1999).

Section 5301.01 Ohio Revised Code

General Assembly: 120. Bill Number: S.B. 114 Effective Date: 08/10/94

A deed, mortgage, land contract as referred to in division (B)(2) of section 317.08 of the Revised Code, or lease of any interest in real property and a memorandum of trust as described in division (A) of section 5301.255 of the Revised Code shall be signed by the grantor, mortgagor, vendor, or lessor in the case of a deed, mortgage, land contract, or lease or shall be signed by the settlor and trustee in the case of a memorandum of trust. The signing shall be acknowledged by the grantor, mortgagor, vendor, or lessor, or by the settlor and trustee, in the presence of two witnesses, who shall attest the signing and subscribe their names to the attestation. The signing shall be acknowledged by the grantor, mortgagor, vendor, or lessor, or by the settlor and trustee, before a judge or clerk of a court of record in this state, or a county auditor, county engineer, notary public, or mayor, who shall certify the acknowledgement and subscribe his name to the certificate of the acknowledgement

In laymans terms, a bank, mortgage co and/or Legal Trust, in the process of securitizing its portfolio loans is required to endorse the loan each and every time it changes hands. It is very much like a check endorsement. They slap a stamp on the back of the note that says pay to the order of (endorsee) without recourse (endorsor) by (person) its (officers title), under which is signature. Each subsequent time a loan changes hands, a new

endorsement is made from the previous endorsee to the new endorsee. When loans are securitzed, the last endorsement is often in blank, meaning that the new endorsee is not named. The entire original note goes into the physical custody of the new endorsee or its legal custodian with that blank endorsement, that can be subsequently competed if necessary by the security sponsor. This a very common and uncontroversial practice.

5309.79 References required in instruments transferring title or creating or discharging liens.

Every voluntary instrument intended to be used in transferring any title or estate in registered land, or in creating any lien or charge thereon, or assigning, releasing, or discharging any lien or charge, in whole or in part, and every certificate or other paper filed with the county recorder for the purpose of acquiring or creating an involuntary lien, interest, or charge upon registered land, shall at least refer by number to the certificate of title covering such land or containing a memorial of such interest, lien, or charge. Such reference shall be contained in the body of all voluntary instruments, and in the case of such certificate or papers so filed to acquire involuntary interests, liens, or charges, such reference shall be either in the body of such certificate or papers or indorsed thereon and the indorsement shall be signed by the proper officer or a person in interest. Each of such instruments referred to in the preceding sentence shall also have the words REGISTERED LAND conspicuously typed or printed in capital letters on the reverse side of the last page of the instrument, which page is also known as the caption page or the backing of the instrument. If only a part of the land covered by such certificate of title is sought to be affected, an accurate description of such part enabling it to be definitely located and platted shall be given in such voluntary instrument, or in or upon such certificate or paper so filed, in addition to such reference to the certificate of title by number. Effective Date: 06-19-1974

4712.07 Prohibited acts.

No credit services organization, salesperson, agent, or representative of a credit services organization, or independent contractor that sells or attempts to sell the services of a credit services organization shall do any of the following: (C) Make or use a false or misleading representation in the offer or sale of the services of the organization, including either of the following: (2) Guarantying or otherwise stating that the organization is able to obtain an extension of credit regardless of the buyers previous credit problems or credit history, unless the representation clearly discloses the eligibility requirements for obtaining an extension of credit. (D) Engage, directly or indirectly, in an unconscionable, unfair, or deceptive act or practice, as those terms are used and defined in Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code, in connection with the offer or sale of the services of a credit services organization;

PROBABLE ISSUE(S) FOR REVIEW AND SPECIFY NATURE 1 Plaintiff Wells Fargo Banks lack of standing to initiate foreclosure suit. In knowledge and Truth, Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank lacks material standing and Courts lack Jurisdiction to proceed in any Legal action against Defendant because Plaintiff lacks the ability to show they are the true holder in due course of the NOTE AND MORTGAGE (2 separate documents). Of all Documents produced through Discovery by Plaintiff, not one is the verifiable proven Mortgage Document and Promissory note nor which has been, through proper indorsement, transferred to Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank consistent with 3201 of the Uniform Commercial Code. And, significantly, Most of all of the documentation presented by Plaintiff is unsigned, undated, un-endorsed, obtrusive, unsubstantiated and unverifiable. The Assignment of Mortgage to Wells Fargo Bank from Option One Mortgage Corp. was not even dated until after foreclosure filing was initiated thus removing from Plaintiff legal standing in which to initiate suit and removing courts right to hear same case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

section 3-305(b) of the Revised Article Three of the Uniform Commercial Code

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

PROHIBITION AGAINST MANIPULATION OF SECURITY PRICES SEC. 9. 78i (a) It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, by the use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, or of any facility of any national securities exchange, or for any member of a national securities exchange (1) For the purpose of creating a false or misleading appearance of active trading in any security registered on a national securities exchange, or a false or misleading appearance with respect to the market for any such security, (A) to effect any transaction

in such security which involves no change in the beneficial ownership thereof, or (B) to enter an order or orders for the purchase of such security with the knowledge that an order or orders of substantially the same size, at substantially the same time, and at substantially the same price, for the sale of any such security, has been or will be entered by or for the same or different parties, or (C) to enter any order or orders for the sale of any such security with the knowledge that an order or orders of substantially the same size, at substantially the same time, and at substantially the same price, for the purchase of such security, has been or will be entered by or for the same or different parties. (2) To effect, alone or with one or more other persons, a series of transactions in any security registered on a national securities exchange or in connection with any security-based swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) with respect to such security creating actual or apparent active trading in such security, or raising or depressing the price of such security, for the purpose of inducing the purchase or sale of such security by others. (3) If a dealer or broker, or other person selling or offering for sale or purchasing or offering to purchase the security or a security-based swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) with respect to such security, to induce the purchase or sale of any security registered on a national securities exchange or any security-based swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) with respect to such security by the circulation or dissemination in the ordinary course of business of information to the effect that the price of any such security will or is likely to rise or fall because of market operations of any one or more persons conducted for the purpose of raising or depressing the price of such security. (4) If a dealer or broker, or the person selling or offering for sale or purchasing or offering to purchase the security or a security- based swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) with respect to such security, to make, regarding any security registered on a national securities exchange or any security-based swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) with respect to such security, for the purpose of inducing the purchase or sale of such security or such security-based swap agreement, any statement which was at the time and in the light of the circumstances under which it was made, false or misleading with respect to any material fact, and which he knew or had reasonable ground to believe was so false or misleading. (5) For a consideration, received directly or indirectly from a dealer or broker, or other person selling or offering for sale or purchasing or offering to purchase the security or a security-based swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-LeachBliley Act) with respect to such security, to induce the purchase of any security registered on a national securities exchange or any security-based swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) with respect to such security by the circulation or dissemination of information to the effect that the price of any such security will or is likely to rise or fall because of the market operations of any one or more persons conducted for the purpose of raising or depressing the price of such security. (6) To effect either alone or with one or more other persons any series of transactions for the purchase and/or sale of any security registered on a national securities exchange for the purpose of pegging, fixing, or stabilizing the price of such security in contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to effect, by use of any facility of a national securities exchange, in contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of

investors e. any transaction in connection with any security whereby any party to such transaction acquires (A) any put, call, straddle, or other option or privilege of buying the security from or selling the security to another without being bound to do so; or (B) any security futures product on the security; or f. (2) any transaction in connection with any security with relation to which he has, directly or indirectly, any interest in any (A) such put, call, straddle, option, or privilege; or (B) such security futures product; or g. (3) any transaction in any security for the account of any person who he has reason to believe has, and who actually has, directly or indirectly, any interest in any (A) such put, call, straddle, option, or privilege; or (B) such security futures product with relation to such security. (c) It shall be unlawful for any member of a national securities exchange directly or indirectly to endorse or guarantee the performance of any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege in relation to any security registered on a national securities exchange, in contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. (d) The terms put, call, straddle, option, or privilege as used in this section shall not include any registered warrant, right, or convertible security. (e) Any person who willfully participates in any act or transaction in violation of subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section, shall be liable to any person who shall purchase or sell any security at a price which was affected by such act or transaction, and the person so injured may sue in law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover the damages sustained as a result of any such act or transaction. In any such suit the court may, in its discretion, require an undertaking for the payment of the costs of such suit, and assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys fees, against either party litigant. Every person who becomes liable to make any payment under this subsection may recover contribution as in cases of contract from any person who, if joined in the original suit, would have been liable to make the same payment. No action shall be maintained to enforce any liability created under this section, unless brought within one year after the discovery of the facts constituting the violation and within three years after such violation. (f) The provisions of subsection (a) shall not apply to an exempted security. (g)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission shall have the authority to regulate the trading of any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security, certificate of deposit, or group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency (but not, with respect to any of the foregoing, an option on a contract for future delivery other than a security futures product). (2) Notwithstanding the Commodity Exchange Act, the Commission shall have the authority to regulate the trading of any security futures product to the extent provided in the securities laws. (h) LIMITATIONS ON PRACTICES THAT AFFECT MARKET VOLATILITY. It shall be unlawful for any person, by the use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce or of any facility of any national

securities exchange, to use or employ any act or practice in connection with the purchase or sale of any equity security in contravention of such rules or regulations as the Commission may adopt, consistent with the public interest, the protection of investors, and the maintenance of fair and orderly markets (1) to prescribe means reasonably designed to prevent manipulation of price levels of the equity securities market or a substantial segment thereof; and (2) to prohibit or constrain, during periods of extraordinary market volatility, any trading practice in connection with the purchase or sale of equity securities that the Commission determines (A) has previously contributed significantly to extraordinary levels of volatility that have threatened the maintenance of fair and orderly markets; and (B) is reasonably certain to engender such levels of volatility if not prohibited or constrained. In adopting rules under paragraph (2), the Commission shall, consistent with the purposes of this subsection, minimize the impact on the normal operations of the market and a natural persons freedom to buy or sell any equity security. (i)The authority of the Commission under this section with respect to securitybased swap agreements (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) shall be subject to the restrictions and limitations of section 3A(b) of this title. REGULATION OF THE USE OF MANIPULATIVE AND DECEPTIVE DEVICES SEC. 10. 78j It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, by the use of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce or of the mails, or of any facility of any national securities exchange (a)(1) To effect a short sale, or to use or employ any stoploss order in connection with the purchase or sale, of any security registered on a national securities exchange, in contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. (2) 1 Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not apply to security futures products. (b) To use or employ, in connection with the purchase or sale of any security registered on a national securities exchange or any security not so registered, or any securitiesbased swap agreement (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act), any manipulative or deceptive device or contrivance in contravention of such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. Rules promulgated under subsection (b) that prohibit fraud, manipulation, or insider trading (but not rules imposing or specifying reporting or recordkeeping requirements, procedures, or standards as prophylactic measures against fraud, manipulation, or insider trading), and judicial precedents decided under subsection (b) and rules promulgated thereunder that prohibit fraud, manipulation, or insider trading, shall apply to securitybased swap agreements (as defined in section 206B of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) to the same extent as they apply to securities. Judicial precedents decided under section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and sections 9, 15, 16, 20, and 21A of this title, and judicial precedents decided under applicable rules promulgated under such sections, shall apply to security-based swap agreements (as defined in section 206B of the GrammLeach-Bliley Act) to the same extent as they apply to securities. SEC. 10A. 78j1 AUDIT REQUIREMENTS.

(a) IN GENERAL.Each audit required pursuant to this title of the financial statements of an issuer by a registered public accounting firm shall include, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, as may be modified or supplemented from time to time by the Commission (1) procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance of detecting illegal acts that would have a direct and material effect on the determination of financial statement amounts; (2) procedures designed to identify related party transactions that are material to the financial statements or otherwise require disclosure therein; and (3) an evaluation of whether there is substantial doubt about the ability of the issuer to continue as a going concern during the ensuing fiscal year. (b) REQUIRED RESPONSE TO AUDIT DISCOVERIES. (1) INVESTIGATION AND REPORT TO MANAGEMENT.If, in the course of conducting an audit pursuant to this title to which subsection (a) applies, the registered public accounting firm detects or otherwise becomes aware of information indicating that an illegal act (whether or not perceived to have a material effect on the financial statements of the issuer) has or may have occurred, the firm shall, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, as may be modified or supplemented from time to time by the Commission (A)(i) determine whether it is likely that an illegal act has occurred; and (ii) if so, determine and consider the possible effect of the illegal act on the financial statements of the issuer, including any contingent monetary effects, such as fines, penalties, and damages; and (B) as soon as practicable, inform the appropriate level of the management of the issuer and assure that the audit committee of the issuer, or the board of directors of the issuer in the absence of such a committee, is adequately informed with respect to illegal acts that have been detected or have otherwise come to the attention of such firm in the course of the audit, unless the illegal act is clearly inconsequential. (2) RESPONSE TO FAILURE TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION.If, after determining that the audit committee of the board of directors of the issuer, or the board of directors of the issuer in the absence of an audit committee, is adequately informed with respect to illegal acts that have been detected or have otherwise come to the attention of the firm in the course of the audit of such accountant, the registered public accounting firm concludes that (A) the illegal act has a material effect on the financial statements of the issuer; (B) the senior management has not taken, and the board of directors has not caused senior management to take, timely and appropriate remedial actions with respect to the illegal act; and (C) the failure to take remedial action is reasonably expected to warrant departure from a standard report of the auditor, when made, or warrant resignation from the audit engagement; the registered public accounting firm shall, as soon as practicable, directly report its conclusions to the board of directors. (3) NOTICE TO COMMISSION; RESPONSE TO FAILURE TO NOTIFY. An issuer whose board of directors receives a report under paragraph (2) shall inform the Commission by notice not later than 1 business day after the receipt of such report and

shall furnish the registered public accounting firm making such report with a copy of the notice furnished to the Commission. If the registered public accounting firm fails to receive a copy of the notice before the expiration of the required 1-business- day period, the registered public accounting firm shall (A) resign from the engagement; or (B) furnish to the Commission a copy of its report (or the documentation of any oral report given) not later than 1 business day following such failure to receive notice. ( 4) REPORT AFTER RESIGNATION.If a registered public accounting firm resigns from an engagement under paragraph (3)(A), the firm shall, not later than 1 business day following the failure by the issuer to notify the Commission under paragraph (3), furnish to the Commission a copy of the report of the firm (or the documentation of any oral report given). (c) AUDITOR LIABILITY LIMITATION.No registered public accounting firm shall be liable in a private action for any finding, conclusion, or statement expressed in a report made pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (b), including any rule promulgated pursuant thereto. (d) CIVIL PENALTIES IN CEASE-AND-DESIST PROCEEDINGS.If the Commission finds, after notice and opportunity for hearing in a proceeding instituted pursuant to section 21C, that a registered public accounting firm has willfully violated paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (b), the Commission may, in addition to entering an order under section 21C, impose a civil penalty against the registered public accounting firm and any other person that the Commission finds was a cause of such violation. The determination to impose a civil penalty and the amount of the penalty shall be governed by the standards set forth in section 21B. (e) PRESERVATION OF EXISTING AUTHORITY.Except as provided in subsection (d), nothing in this section shall be held to limit or otherwise affect the authority of the Commission under this title. (f) DEFINITIONS.As used in this section, the term illegal act means an act or omission that violates any law, or any rule or reulation having the force of law. As used in this section, the term issuer means an issuer (as defined in section 3), the securities of which are registered under section 12, or that is required to file reports pursuant to section 15(d), or that files or has filed a registration statement that has not yet become effective under the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.), and that it has not withdrawn. (g) PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.Except as provided in subsection (h), it shall be unlawful for a registered public accounting firm (and any associated person of that firm, to the extent determined appropriate by the Commission) that performs for any issuer any audit required by this title or the rules of the Commission under this title or, beginning 180 days after the date of commencement of the operations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board established under section 101 of the SarbanesOxley Act of 2002 (in this section referred to as the Board), the rules of the Board, to provide to that issuer, contemporaneously with the audit, any nonaudit service, including (1) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the audit client; (2) financial information systems design and implementation; (3) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions, or contribution-inkind reports; (4) actuarial services;

(5) internal audit outsourcing services; (6) management functions or human resources; (7) broker or dealer, investment adviser, or investment banking services; (8) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (9) any other service that the Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible. (h) PREAPPROVAL REQUIRED FOR NON-AUDIT SERVICES.A registered public accounting firm may engage in any non-audit service, including tax services, that is not described in any of paragraphs (1) through (9) of subsection (g) for an audit client, only if the activity is approved in advance by the audit committee of the issuer, in accordance with subsection (i). (i) PREAPPROVAL REQUIREMENTS. (1) IN GENERAL. (A) AUDIT COMMITTEE ACTION.All auditing services (which may entail providing comfort letters in connection with securities underwritings or statutory audits required for insurance companies for purposes of State law) and non-audit services, other than as provided in subparagraph (B), provided to an issuer by the auditor of the issuer shall be preapproved by the audit committee of the issuer. (B) DE MINIMUS EXCEPTION.The preapproval requirement under subparagraph (A) is waived with respect to the provision of nonaudit services for an issuer, if (i) the aggregate amount of all such non-audit services provided to the issuer constitutes not than 5 percent of the total amount of revenues paid by the issuer to its auditor during the fiscal year in which the nonaudit 1 services are provided; (ii) such services were not recognized by the issuer at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the ttention of the audit committee of the issuer and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the audit committee or by 1 or more members of the audit committee who are members of the board of directors to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the audit committee. (2) DISCLOSURE TO INVESTORS.Approval by an audit committee of an issuer under this subsection of a non-audit service to be performed by the auditor of the issuer shall be disclosed to investors in periodic reports required by section 13(a). (3) DELEGATION AUTHORITY.The audit committee of an issuer may delegate to 1 or more designated members of the audit committee who are independent directors of the board of directors, the authority to grant preapprovals required by this subsection. The decisions of any member to whom authority is delegated under this paragraph to preapprove an activity under this subsection shall be presented to the full audit committee at each of its scheduled meetings. (4) APPROVAL OF AUDIT SERVICES FOR OTHER PURPOSES. In carrying out its duties under subsection (m)(2), if the audit committee of an issuer approves an audit service within the scope of the engagement of the auditor, such audit service shall be deemed to have been preapproved for purposes of this subsection. (j) AUDIT PARTNER ROTATION.It shall be unlawful for a registered public accounting firm to provide audit services to an issuer if the lead (or coordinating) audit

partner (having primary responsibility for the audit), or the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit, has performed audit services for that issuer in each of the 5 previous fiscal years of that issuer. (k) REPORTS TO AUDIT COMMITTEES.Each registered public accounting firm that performs for any issuer any audit required by this title shall timely report to the audit committee of the issuer (1) all critical accounting policies and practices to be used; (2) all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles that have been discussed with management officials of the issuer, ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the registered public accounting firm; and (3) other material written communications between the registered public accounting firm and the management of the issuer, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences. (l) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.It shall be unlawful for a registered public accounting firm to perform for an issuer any audit service required by this title, if a chief executive officer, controller, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, or any person serving in an equivalent position for the issuer, was employed by that registered independent public accounting firm and participated in any capacity in the audit of that issuer during the 1-year period preceding the date of the initiation of the audit. (m) STANDARDS RELATING TO AUDIT COMMITTEES. (1) COMMISSION RULES. (A) IN GENERAL.Effective not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall, by rule, direct the national securities exchanges and national securities associations to prohibit the listing of any security of an issuer that is not in compliance with the requirements of any portion of paragraphs (2) through (6). (B) OPPORTUNITY TO CURE DEFECTS.The rules of the Commission under subparagraph (A) shall provide for appropriate procedures for an issuer to have an opportunity to cure any defects that would be the basis for a prohibition under subparagraph (A), before the imposition of such prohibition. (2) RESPONSIBILITIES RELATING TO REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMS.The audit committee of each issuer, in its capacity as a committee of the board of directors, shall be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm employed by that issuer (including resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work, and each such registered public accounting firm shall report directly to the audit committee. (3) INDEPENDENCE. (A) IN GENERAL.Each member of the audit committee of the issuer shall be a member of the board of directors of the issuer, and shall otherwise be independent. (B) CRITERIA.In order to be considered to be independent for purposes of this paragraph, a member of an audit committee of an issuer may not, other than in his or

her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the board of directors, or any other board committee (i) accept any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the issuer; or (ii) be an affiliated person of the issuer or any subsidiary thereof. (C) EXEMPTION AUTHORITY.The Commission may exempt from the requirements of subparagraph (B) a particular relationship with respect to audit committee members, as the Commission determines appropriate in light of the circumstances. h. COMPLAINTS.Each audit committee shall establish procedures for -(A) the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints received by the issuer regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters; and (B) the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the issuer of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. (5) AUTHORITY TO ENGAGE ADVISERS.Each audit committee shall have the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisers, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties. (6) FUNDING.Each issuer shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the audit committee, in its capacity as a committee of the board of directors, for payment of compensation (A) to the registered public accounting firm employed by the issuer for the purpose of rendering or issuing an audit report; and (B) to any advisers employed by the audit committee under paragraph (5).

Section 29 -- Validity of Contracts a. Waiver provisions Any condition, stipulation, or provision binding any person to waive compliance with any provision of this title or of any rule or regulation thereunder, or of any rule of an exchange required thereby shall be void. b. Contract provisions in violation of title Every contract made in violation of any provision of this title or of any rule or regulation thereunder, and every contract (including any contract for listing a security on an exchange) heretofore or hereafter made, the performance of which involves the violation of, or the continuance of any relationship or practice in violation of, any provision of this title or any rule or regulation thereunder, shall be void (1) as regards the rights of any person who, in violation of any such provision, rule, or regulation, shall have made or engaged in the performance of any such contract, and (2) as regards the rights of any person who, not being a party to such contract, shall have acquired any right thereunder with actual knowledge of the facts by reason of which the making or performance of such contract was in violation of any such provision, rule, or regulation: Provided, (A) That no

contract shall be void by reason of this subsection because of any violation of any rule or regulation prescribed pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (c) of section 15, and (B) that no contract shall be deemed to be void by reason of this subsection in any action maintained in reliance upon this subsection, by any person to or for whom any broker or dealer sells, or from or for whom any broker or dealer purchases, a security in violation of any rule or regulation prescribed pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (c) of section 15, unless such action is brought within one year after the discovery that such sale or purchase involves such violation and within three years after such violation. The Commission may, in a rule or regulation prescribed pursuant to such paragraph (2) of such section 15(c), designate such rule or regulation, or portion thereof, as a rule or regulation, or portion thereof, a contract in violation of which shall not be void by reason of this subsection. C. Validity of loans, extensions of credit, and creation of liens; actual knowledge of violation

Nothing in this title shall be construed (1) to affect the validity of any loan or extension of credit (or any extension or renewal thereof) made or of any lien created prior or subsequent to the enactment of this title, unless at the time of the making of such loan or extension of credit (or extension or renewal thereof) or the creating of such lien, the person making such loan or extension of credit (or extension or renewal thereof) or acquiring such lien shall have actual knowledge of facts by reason of which the making of such loan or extension of credit (or extension or renewal thereof) or the acquisition of such lien is a violation of the provisions of this title or any rule or regulation thereunder, or (2) to afford a defense to the collection of any debt or obligation or the enforcement of any lien by any person who shall have acquired such debt, obligation, or lien in good faith for value and without actual knowledge of the violation of any provision of this title or any rule or regulation thereunder affecting the legality of such debt, obligation, or lien.
Legislative History June 6, 1934, c. 404, Title I, 29, 48 Stat. 903; June 25, 1938, c. 677, 3, 52 Stat. 1076; Oct. 15, 1990, Pub.L. 101-429, Title V, 507, 104 Stat. 956.

TRACKING THE MORTGAGE CHRONOLOGY Exhibit A Dated; June 9th, 2005

H&R Block Originates the alleged Mortgage Plaintiff ERROR #1

Here is where the confusion/obfuscation begins.

Document titled CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF OPEN-END MORTGAGE dated June 9th, 2005 which also purports, along with the 1st Allonge, to transfer the alleged Mortgage & Note from H&R Block to Option One Mortgage Corp., yet fails in its requirement to display just WHERE it recorded same, reading and recorded as Document No. _________ on, ________ day of __________ in book _________, page __________, of Official Records and attested to by a one Kristi Canizio (the Lady of many hats) and Roseann Infusio . Clearly in violation of U.C.C., true sale obligations and other SEC., O.R.C. Rules & Regulations and Contract & Securities Laws Later, in a post dated Assignment Plaintiff wants us to believe it again transfers the Note & Mortgage from the same entity (H&R Block) to the same above mentioned entity (Option One). ). When exhibits are inconsistent with the plaintiff s allegations of material fact as to whom the real party in interest is, such allegations cancel each other out. On June 9th, 2005, 4 days after the creation of the alleged mortgage & Note we see the appearance of one Ms. Kristy Canizio. Ms Canizio does sign the following documents, acting in many different positions and acting for both H&R Block & Option One Mortgage Corporation. She signs first ; 6/9/05 Allonge to Note as Assistant Secretary for Option One Mortgage Corp.(INVESTORS) 6/9/05 Allonge to Note as Assistant Secretary for H&R Block (HRBMC) 6/9/05 Corporation Assignment of Open End Mortgage as duly authorized attestor 6/9/05 as Funding/Closing Department Contact 6/13/05 (my personal favorite) Employment Verification Funder/AM Signature (4 days AFTER loan closing!) 6/14/05 as Reviewer/Closer on HDMA Audit Sheet 6/14/05 as Data Integrity Verifier on Data Integrity Audit sheet 1 6/14/05 as Data Integrity Verifier on Data Integrity Audit Sheet 2 6/14/05 Document preparer for 049-8566 Wiring Instructions

Probably most interesting is that Ms Canizio holds the position of Assistant Secretary to two separate Corporate Entities and also lets pass, until 4 days AFTER the alleged Mortgage Loan closing takes place AND 3 days AFTER the below titled Execution Copy purportedly sold the alleged, but now certified as properly vetted by Option One Mort. as good and fraud free, Mortgage and Note to Barclays Bank, to verify the income of the Defendant who has no income, but who does have witnesss who are willing to testify that they were present and heard Defendant tell Plaintiffs Agent of that fact during Defendants alleged Mortgage application see attached exhibit Kristy 9! Plaintiff introduces as evidence Plaintiffs exhibit no 25, Titled EXECUTION COPY RE: Purchase Price and Terms Agreement Dated As of June 10, 2005 One day after the alleged Mortgage creation! Purporting to explain how Barclays Bank has bought the alleged Mortgage Note and debt from Option One after Option One had combined that same note and debt into The Trust. Yet next, you will notice that the alleged Mortgage has yet to be assigned to Option One. That will not occur for another 140 days (over 4 months!), (its either that or Plaintiff has brought fraud into the Courts with its Assignment of Mortgage to Option One from H&R Block! ) It should also be noted that Plaintiffs Exhibit #25 lacks any signatures or authentication by either Buyer or Seller clearly in violation of U.C.C., SEC., O.R.C. Rules & Regulations and Contract & Securities Laws and as such represents NOT a legally binding Contract as previously noted. Evidentiary RULE 1002. Requirement of Original
To prove the content of a writing, recording, or photograph, the original writing, recording, or photograph is required, except as otherwise provided in these rules or by statute enacted by the General Assembly not in conflict with a rule of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Plaintiff ERROR #2 Plaintiffs Exhibit #26 titled EXECUTION COPY FLOW AMENDED AND RESTATED MORTGAGE LOAN PURCHASE AND WARRANTIES AGREEMENT Dated August 15th, 2005 (2 Months and 5 days after the above referenced exhibit #25 but still months before the The Assignment from H&R Block (alleged Mortgage Originator) to Option One. Plaintiffs Exhibit 10 This document catalogs the purchase of the Trust from the Company & Seller Option One Mortgage to the Purchaser, Barclays Bank, PLC. Again, it should be noted that Plaintiffs Exhibit #26 lacks proper signatures or authentication by Seller clearly in violation of U.C.C., SEC., O.R.C. Rules & Regulations and Contract & Securities Laws and as such represents NOT a legally binding Contract. That said, the conclusion so far is that the alleged Note & Mortgage could not have been included into the Trust nor into the ownership of Barlays Bank PLC until at least the day of or after the day of the Assignment from H&R Block to Option One Mortgage Corporation dated November 22nd, 2005.

Plaintiffs ERROR # 3 Plaintiffs Exhibit # 27 titled EXECUTION COPY ASSIGNMENT AND CONVEYANCE dated August 19th, 2005. This document does purportedly represent the Assignment and Conveyance of the Trust from Option One to Barclays Bank PLC, Again, it should be noted that Plaintiffs Exhibit #27 any lacks proper signatures or authentication by either Buyer or Seller clearly in violation of U.C.C., SEC, O.R.C., and Contract & Securities Laws and as such represents NOT a legally binding Contract as previously noted. Also, Assignment from H&R Block to Option One does not happen until October 27 th, 2005, nearly 2 months AFTER the alleged assignment and conveyance of the Trust that Plaintiff would have us believe already contained the mortgage, yet they submit proof it could not have had. NOTICE ALL OF THE ABOVE OCCURRED BEFORE THE FIRST ASSIGNMENT DATE! H&R Block Assigns Note & Mortgage to Option One see assignment dated: October 27, 2005 & Recorded November 22nd, 2005 Plaintiffs Exhibit 10 Plaintiffs ERROR # 4 Plaintiffs Exhibit # 28 titled EXECUTION COPY BILL OF SALE dated January 26th, 2006. Here we have a Bill of Sale that represents that BARCLAYS BANK PLC (the Seller), in consideration of (i) the sum of $1,214,208,.30 Let me write that out. One Million, two hundred and fourteen thousand, two hundred and eight dollars (I guess) then a coma(!) and then a decimal point (I guess) and 30 cents (I guess) dollars. This NOT a typographical error on my part (see Plaintiffs Exhibit 28). Naming Option One as the Servicer, Mortgage Ramp, Inc. as loan performance advisor and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association , as trustee as of January 26, 2006. to be paid to it in immediately available funds by SECURITIZED ASSET BACKED RECEIVABLES LLC (the Purchaser) and (ii) the Class X, Class P and Class R Certificates issued pursuant to a Pooling and Servicing Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2006 (the Pooling and Servicing Agreement) (Plaintiffs Exhibit 18) ,, among the Purchaser, as Depositor, Option One Mortgage Corporation, as servicer and responsible party, MortgageRamp, Inc., as loan performance advisor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, does as of January 26, 2006, hereby sell, transfer, assign, set over and otherwise convey to the Purchaser without recourse, all the Sellers right, title and interest in and to the Mortgage Loans described on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof, including al interest and principal received by the Seller on or with respect to the Mortgage Loans..

In Summary; Barklays Bank PLC sells the Mortgage Loans from the Trust to SECURITIZED ASSET BACKED RECEIVABLES LLC as Purchaser & Depositor, to Option One Mortgage Corporation, as servicer and responsible party, MortgageRamp, Inc., as loan performance advisor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, as of January 26, 2006 for an undecipherable amount and for Class X, P & R Certificates issued pursuant to a Pooling and Servicing Agreement and then divides ownership between the four in whatever ethereal undisclosed manner .. as it does not specify. Please note this document is accompanied by an unspecified signature page and is signed by one Paul Menefee Director from SECURITIZED ASSET BACKED RECEIVABLES LLC, and one John Cuccoli (probably misspelled but close!), Managing Director of BARCLAYS BANK PLC , and that there is no authentication given for either signatures power to enter into this contract and also no Power of Attorney Stamp and Seal accompanying this document and no signature date, clearly in violation of U.C.C., SEC., O.R.C. rules & Regulations and Contract & Securities Laws and as such represents NOT a legally binding Contract as previously noted. Please note also the date of January 26th, 2006 as the day of this transaction. As per Pooling & Servicing Agreement. On occurrence of a Credit Event Trust Transfers Mortgage BACK to Option One As per Pooling & Servicing Agreement section; 2:03 (d) Within 30 days of the earlier of either discovery by or notice to the Responsible Party that any Mortgage Loan does not conform to the requirements.of any breach of a representation or warranty.that materially and adversely affects the value of any Mortgage Loan the Responsible Party shall.. remove such Mortgage Loan (a Deleted Mortgage Loan) from the Trust and substitute in its place a Substitute Mortgage Loan.. So, contractually, according to the alleged Pooling & Servicing Agreement supplied by Plaintiff (Plaintiffs exhibit 18) , 90 days after the alleged default which occurred September, 2007 as of Plaintiffs exhibit 20 (Payment History) , otherwise stated as January 2008, Option One Regained sole possession of the Note and Mortgage (with no assignment or any other authentication provided) and supplied a substitute Note & Mortgage to take its place as is evidenced by Plaintiffs own sworn evidentiary production of the Assignment from Option One Mortgage Corporation to Wells Fargo Bank N.A. (Plaintiffs exhibit 11)dated March 3, 2008 and recorded March 27th, 2008, such date being AFTER recordation of Foreclosure action and as such voiding Plaintiffs argument of singular Note holdership at time of foreclosure initiation and also voiding Plaintiffs standing in this action! It should be noted that the signatory page(s) given at the rear of the Pooling & Servicing Agreement each contain only One signature, with empty signatory spaces for each other

and that there is no one Signatory page containing all signatures, no authentication of any signatures, no dates of signatures and no certification of any signatures by Power of Attorney clearly in violation of U.C.C., SEC., O.R.C. Rules & Regulations and Contract & Securities Laws and as such represents NOT even a legally binding Contract. Please note date of Re-Possession of Mortgage Note to Option One as January 2008. As per Pooling & Servicing Agreement section; 203(d). February 27th , 2008 Foreclosure Action is filed Option One then assigns Note & Mortgage to Wells Fargo to act as Foreclosure Special Servicer. See Assignment (Plaintiffs Exhibit 11 dated; March 7th, 2008 and recorded March 27th, 2008. Signed by a Ms Topaka Love who purports herself as assistant Secretary, who personally appeared for signature somewhere in Minnesota, and that the document was prepared by Plaintiffs Counsel LERNER, SAMPSON & ROTHFUSS located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mortgage was assigned from Option One to Wells Fargo Bank for NO CONSIDERATION. Contract Law states there is no value established unless there is a meeting of the minds and consideration is passed, again, no legal contract is established, as no consideration has been passed. Of special Interest is the date the TRUST is Legitimized, January 1st, 2006. This is many months AFTER the Mortgage Companies have supposedly sold, dissected, securitized, and transferred the subject mortgage in and out of the TRUST, that isnt yet even created! Hmmmmmm Organized Crime!

In Conclusion, Plaintiffs own exhibits prove so many irregularities and illegalities that unless each and every one is proved, then the Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank can NOT be deemed the Holder in Due Course of the subject Mortgage and Promissory Note and in fact, close scrutiny of documents provided by Plaintiff seem more to be representative of a meeting of men in Stuttgart Germany which resulted in the

formation of the Nazi party OR a meeting of men in Palermo that resulted in the formation of the Mafia, much more than it supposedly resembles the actions taken by Government mandated Corporations in America today.

Exhibit Kristy Canizio 1

Exhibit Kristy Canizio 2

Exhibit Kristy Canizio 3

Exhibit Kristi Canizio 4

Exhibit Kristi Canizio 5

Exhibit Kristi Canizio 6

Exhibit Kristy Canizio 7

Exhibit Kristy Canizio 8

Exhibit Kristy Canizio 9

EXHIBIT Z1 Closing Agent Instructions

EXHIBIT Z2 Closing Agent Instructions

Exhibit B

Forgers Statistical Analysis

Population from US Census Bureau

2007 US Total 2000 ZIP Code Area 45414 2006 Montgomery County, Ohio 2000 Tampa, Florida 301,621,157 21,484 526,434 303,447

Statistical Probability Average

US Total
probability % % of Population possible Forgers

85% 90% 95% 96% 97% 98% 99%

256,377,983 271,459,041 286,540,099 289,556,311 292,572,522 295,588,734 298,604,945

45,243,174 30,162,116 15,081,058 12,064,846 9,048,635 6,032,423 3,016,212

Montgomery County
probability % % of Population possible Forgers

85% 90% 95% 96% 97% 98% 99%

447,469 473,791 500,112 505,377 510,641 515,905 521,170

78,965 52,643 26,322 21,057 15,793 10,529 5,264

In the above US Total example, with total population of 301 Million + and an 85% probablity of being correct in handwriting analysis, there would still be over 45 Million + possibly undectable forgers.

Tampa, Florida
probability % % of Population possible Forgers

85% 90% 95% 96% 97% 98% 99% ZIP Code Area 45414
probability %

257,930 273,102 288,275 291,309 294,344 297,378 300,413

45,517 30,345 15,172 12,138 9,103 6,069 3,034

% of Population

possible Forgers

85% 90% 95% 96% 97% 98% 99%

18,261 19,336 20,410 20,625 20,839 21,054 21,269

3,223 2,148 1,074 859 645 430 215

Exhibit C, Y

Exhibit D

Regulation Z
226.32 Requirements for certain closed-end home mortgages. (a) Coverage. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the requirements of this section apply to a consumer credit transaction that is secured by the consumer's principal dwelling, and in which either: {{8-29-08 p.6670.04-F}} (i) The annual percentage rate at consummation will exceed by more than 8 percentage points for first-lien loans, or by more than 10 percentage points for subordinate-lien loans, the yield on Treasury securities having comparable periods of maturity to the loan maturity as of the fifteenth day of the month immediately preceding the month in which the application for the extension of credit is received by the creditor; or (ii) The total points and fees payable by the consumer at or before loan closing will exceed the greater of 8 percent of the total loan amount, or $400; the $400 figure shall be adjusted annually on January 1 by the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index that was reported on the preceding June 1. (2) This section does not apply to the following: (i) A residential mortgage transaction. (ii) A reverse mortgage transaction subject to 226.33. (iii) An open-end credit plan subject to subpart B of this part. (b) Definitions. For purposes of this subpart, the following definitions apply: (1) For purposes of paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, points and fees mean: (i) All items required to be disclosed under 226.4(a) and 226.4(b), except interest or the time-price differential; (ii) All compensation paid to mortgage brokers; and (iii) All items listed in 226.4(c)(7) (other than amounts held for future payment of taxes) unless the charge is reasonable, the creditor receives no direct or indirect compensation in connection with the charge, and the charge is not paid to an affiliate of the creditor; and (iv) Premiums or other charges for credit life, accident, health, or loss-of-income insurance, or debt-cancellation coverage (whether or not the debt-cancellation coverage is insurance under applicable law) that provides for cancellation of all or part of the consumer's liability in the event of the loss of life, health, or income or in the case of accident, written in connection with the credit transaction. (2) Affiliate means any company that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with another company, as set forth in the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq.) (c) Disclosures. In addition to other disclosures required by this part, in a mortgage subject to this section, the creditor shall disclose the following in conspicuous type size: (1) Notices. The following statement: "You are not required to complete this agreement merely because you have received these disclosures or have signed a loan application. If you obtain this loan, the lender will have a mortgage on your home. You could lose your home, and any money you have put into it, if you do no meet your obligations under the loan." (2) Annual percentage rate. The annual percentage rate. (3) Regular payment; balloon payment. The amount of the regular monthly (or other periodic) payment and the amount of any balloon payment. The regular payment disclosed under this paragraph shall be treated as accurate if it is based on an amount borrowed that is deemed accurate and is disclosed under paragraph (c)(5) of this section. (4) Variable-rate. For variable-rate transactions, a statement that the interest rate and monthly payment may increase, and the amount of the single maximum monthly payment, based on the maximum interest rate required to be disclosed under 226.30. (5) Amount borrowed. For a mortgage refinancing, the total amount the consumer will borrow, as reflected by the face amount of the note; and where the amount borrowed includes premiums or other charges for optional credit insurance or debt-cancellation coverage, that fact shall be stated, grouped together with the disclosure of the amount borrowed. The disclosure of the amount borrowed shall be treated as accurate if it is not more than $100 above or below the amount required to be disclosed. (d) Limitations. A mortgage transaction subject to this section shall not include the following

terms: (1)(i) Balloon payment. For a loan with a term of less than five years, a payment schedule with regular periodic payments that when aggregated do not fully amortize the outstanding principal balance. (ii) Exception. The limitations in paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section do not apply to loans with maturities of less than one year, if the purpose of the loan is a "bridge" loan {{8-29-08 p.6670.04-G}}connected with the acquisition or construction of a dwelling intended to become the consumer's principal dwelling. (2) Negative amortization. A payment schedule with regular periodic payments that cause the principal balance to increase. (3) Advance payments. A payment schedule that consolidates more than two periodic payments and pays them in advance from the proceeds. (4) Increased interest rate. An increase in the interest rate after default. (5) Rebates. A refund calculated by a method less favorable than the actuarial method (as defined by section 933(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, 15 U.S.C. 1615(d)), for rebates of interest arising from a loan acceleration due to default. (6) Prepayment penalties. Except as allowed under paragraph (d)(7) of this section, a penalty for paying all or part of the principal before the date on which the principal is due. A prepayment penalty includes computing a refund of unearned interest by a method that is less favorable to the consumer than the actuarial method, as defined by section 933(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, 15 U.S.C. 1615(d). (7) Prepayment penalty exception. A mortgage transaction subject to this section may provide for a prepayment penalty (including a refund calculated according to the rule of 78s) otherwise permitted by law if, under the terms of the loan: (i) The penalty will not apply after the two-year period following consummation; (ii) The penalty will not apply if the source of the prepayment funds is a refinancing by the creditor or an affiliate of the creditor; (iii) At consummation, the consumer's total monthly debt payments (including amounts owed under the mortgage) do not exceed 50 percent of the consumer's monthly gross income, as verified in accordance with 226.34(a)(4)(ii); and (iv) The amount of the periodic payment of principal or interest or both may not change during the four-year period following consummation. (8) Due-on-demand clause. A demand feature that permits the creditor to terminate the loan in advance of the original maturity date and to demand repayment of the entire outstanding balance, except in the following circumstances: (i) There is fraud or material misrepresentation by the consumer in connection with the loan; (ii) The consumer fails to meet the repayment terms of the agreement for any outstanding balance; or (iii) There is any action or inaction by the consumer that adversely affects the creditor's security for the loan, or any right of the creditor in such security. [Codified to 12 C.F.R. 226.32] [Section 226.32 added at 60 Fed. Reg. 15472, March 24, 1995, effective March 22, 1995, but compliance is optional until October 1, 1995; as amended at 66 Fed. Reg. 65617, December 20, 2001, effective December 20, 2001, but compliance mandatory as of October 1, 2002; 73 Fed. Reg. 44603, July 30, 2008, effective October 1, 2009]

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/
U.S. Code collection Cornell University Law School

TITLE 15 > CHAPTER 41 > SUBCHAPTER I > Part A > 1607

1607. Administrative enforcement

(a) Enforcing agencies

Compliance with the requirements imposed under this subchapter shall be enforced under (1) section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. 1818], in the case of (A) national banks, and Federal branches and Federal agencies of foreign banks, by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; (B) member banks of the Federal Reserve System (other than national banks), branches and agencies of foreign banks (other than Federal branches, Federal agencies, and insured State branches of foreign banks), commercial lending companies owned or controlled by foreign banks, and organizations operating under section 25 or 25(a) [1] of the Federal Reserve Act [12 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 611 et seq.], by the Board; and (C) banks insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (other than members of the Federal Reserve System) and insured State branches of foreign banks, by the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; (2) section 8 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. 1818], by the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, in the case of a savings association the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (3) the Federal Credit Union Act [12 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.], by the National Credit Union Administration Board with respect to any Federal credit union. (4) part A of subtitle VII of title 49, by the Secretary of Transportation with respect to any air carrier or foreign air carrier subject to that part. (5) the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 [7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.] (except as provided in section 406 of that Act [7 U.S.C. 226, 227]), by the Secretary of Agriculture with respect to any activities subject to that Act. (6) the Farm Credit Act of 1971 [12 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.] by the Farm Credit Administration with respect to any Federal land bank, Federal land bank association, Federal intermediate credit bank, or production credit association. The terms used in paragraph (1) that are not defined in this subchapter or otherwise defined in section 3(s) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813 (s)) shall have the meaning given to them in section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3101).

(b) Violations of this subchapter deemed violations of pre-existing statutory requirements; additional agency powers For the purpose of the exercise by any agency referred to in subsection (a) of this section of its powers under any Act referred to in that subsection, a violation of any requirement imposed under this subchapter shall be deemed to be a violation of a requirement imposed under that Act. In addition to its powers under any provision of law specifically referred to in subsection (a) of this section, each of the agencies referred to in that subsection may exercise, for the purpose of enforcing compliance with any requirement imposed under this subchapter, any other authority conferred on it by law. (c) Federal Trade Commission as overall enforcing agency Except to the extent that enforcement of the requirements imposed under this subchapter is specifically committed to some other Government agency under subsection (a) of this section, the Federal Trade Commission shall enforce such requirements. For the purpose of the exercise by the Federal Trade Commission of its functions and powers under the Federal Trade Commission Act [15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.], a violation of any requirement imposed under this subchapter shall be deemed a violation of a requirement imposed under that Act. All of the functions and powers of the Federal Trade Commission under the Federal Trade Commission Act are available to the Commission to enforce compliance by any person with the requirements imposed under this subchapter, irrespective of whether that person is engaged in commerce or meets any other jurisdictional tests in the Federal Trade Commission Act. (d) Rules and regulations The authority of the Board to issue regulations under this subchapter does not impair the authority of any other agency designated in this section to make rules respecting its own procedures in enforcing compliance with requirements imposed under this subchapter. (e) Adjustment of finance charges; procedures applicable, coverage, criteria, etc. (1) In carrying out its enforcement activities under this section, each agency referred to in subsection (a) or (c) of this section, in cases where an annual percentage rate or finance charge was inaccurately disclosed, shall

notify the creditor of such disclosure error and is authorized in accordance with the provisions of this subsection to require the creditor to make an adjustment to the account of the person to whom credit was extended, to assure that such person will not be required to pay a finance charge in excess of the finance charge actually disclosed or the dollar equivalent of the annual percentage rate actually disclosed, whichever is lower. For the purposes of this subsection, except where such disclosure error resulted from a willful violation which was intended to mislead the person to whom credit was extended, in determining whether a disclosure error has occurred and in calculating any adjustment, (A) each agency shall apply (i) with respect to the annual percentage rate, a tolerance of one-quarter of 1 percent more or less than the actual rate, determined without regard to section 1606 (c) of this title, and (ii) with respect to the finance charge, a corresponding numerical tolerance as generated by the tolerance provided under this subsection for the annual percentage rate; except that (B) with respect to transactions consummated after two years following March 31, 1980, each agency shall apply (i) for transactions that have a scheduled amortization of ten years or less, with respect to the annual percentage rate, a tolerance not to exceed one-quarter of 1 percent more or less than the actual rate, determined without regard to section 1606 (c) of this title, but in no event a tolerance of less than the tolerances allowed under section 1606 (c) of this title, (ii) for transactions that have a scheduled amortization of more than ten years, with respect to the annual percentage rate, only such tolerances as are allowed under section 1606 (c) of this title, and

(iii) for all transactions, with respect to the finance charge, a corresponding numerical tolerance as generated by the tolerances provided under this subsection for the annual percentage rate. (2) Each agency shall require such an adjustment when it determines that such disclosure error resulted from (A) a clear and consistent pattern or practice of violations, (B) gross negligence, or (C) a willful violation which was intended to mislead the person to whom the credit was extended. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except where such disclosure error resulted from a willful violation which was intended to mislead the person to whom credit was extended, an agency need not require such an adjustment if it determines that such disclosure error (A) resulted from an error involving the disclosure of a fee or charge that would otherwise be excludable in computing the finance charge, including but not limited to violations involving the disclosures described in sections 1605 (b), (c) and (d) of this title, in which event the agency may require such remedial action as it determines to be equitable, except that for transactions consummated after two years after March 31, 1980, such an adjustment shall be ordered for violations of section 1605 (b) of this title; (B) involved a disclosed amount which was 10 per centum or less of the amount that should have been disclosed and (i) in cases where the error involved a disclosed finance charge, the annual percentage rate was disclosed correctly, and (ii) in cases where the error involved a disclosed annual percentage rate, the finance charge was disclosed correctly; in which event the agency may require such adjustment as it determines to be equitable;

(C) involved a total failure to disclose either the annual percentage rate or the finance charge, in which event the agency may require such adjustment as it determines to be equitable; or (D) resulted from any other unique circumstance involving clearly technical and nonsubstantive disclosure violations that do not adversely affect information provided to the consumer and that have not misled or otherwise deceived the consumer. In the case of other such disclosure errors, each agency may require such an adjustment. (3) Notwithstanding paragraph (2), no adjustment shall be ordered (A) if it would have a significantly adverse impact upon the safety or soundness of the creditor, but in any such case, the agency may (i) require a partial adjustment in an amount which does not have such an impact; or (ii) require the full adjustment, but permit the creditor to make the required adjustment in partial payments over an extended period of time which the agency considers to be reasonable, if (in the case of an agency referred to in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) of this section), the agency determines that a partial adjustment or making partial payments over an extended period is necessary to avoid causing the creditor to become undercapitalized pursuant to section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. 1831o]; (B) the [2] amount of the adjustment would be less than $1, except that if more than one year has elapsed since the date of the violation, the agency may require that such amount be paid into the Treasury of the United States, or (C) except where such disclosure error resulted from a willful violation which was intended to mislead the person to whom credit was extended, in the case of an open-end credit plan, more than two years after the violation, or in the case of any other extension of credit, as follows: (i) with respect to creditors that are subject to examination by the agencies referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a) of this section, except in connection with violations arising from practices identified in the current examination and only in connection with transactions that are consummated after the date of the immediately preceding examination,

except that where practices giving rise to violations identified in earlier examinations have not been corrected, adjustments for those violations shall be required in connection with transactions consummated after the date of examination in which such practices were first identified; (ii) with respect to creditors that are not subject to examination by such agencies, except in connection with transactions that are consummated after May 10, 1978; and (iii) in no event after the later of (I) the expiration of the life of the credit extension, or (II) two years after the agreement to extend credit was consummated. (4) (A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an adjustment under this subsection may be required by an agency referred to in subsection (a) or (c) of this section only by an order issued in accordance with cease and desist procedures provided by the provision of law referred to in such subsections. (B) In case of an agency which is not authorized to conduct cease and desist proceedings, such an order may be issued after an agency hearing on the record conducted at least thirty but not more than sixty days after notice of the alleged violation is served on the creditor. Such a hearing shall be deemed to be a hearing which is subject to the provisions of section 8(h) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act [12 U.S.C. 1818 (h)] and shall be subject to judicial review as provided therein. (5) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this subsection and notwithstanding any provision of law referred to in subsection (a) or (c) of this section, no agency referred to in subsection (a) or (c) of this section may require a creditor to make dollar adjustments for errors in any requirements under this subchapter, except with regard to the requirements of section 1666d of this title. (6) A creditor shall not be subject to an order to make an adjustment, if within sixty days after discovering a disclosure error, whether pursuant to a final written examination report or through the creditors own procedures, the creditor notifies the person concerned of the error and adjusts the account so as to assure that such

person will not be required to pay a finance charge in excess of the finance charge actually disclosed or the dollar equivalent of the annual percentage rate actually disclosed, whichever is lower. (7) Notwithstanding the second sentence of subsection (e)(1), subsection (e)(3)(C)(i), and subsection (e)(3)(C)(ii) of this section, each agency referred to in subsection (a) or (c) of this section shall require an adjustment for an annual percentage rate disclosure error that exceeds a tolerance of one quarter of one percent less than the actual rate, determined without regard to section 1606 (c) of this title, with respect to any transaction consummated between January 1, 1977, and March 31, 1980.

Exhibit D

Lack of Standing Positions Held

Against Wells Fargo Bank NA. In Bold
Dismissals Due To Plaintiff's Failure To Show Standing Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Nashe; Filed 10/1/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv02994; Disposed 12/3/2007; Judge James S. GWIN Wells Fargo Bank, NA v. Ivy; Filed 8/10/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv02453; Disposed 12/3/2007; Judge James S. GWIN Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Mays; Filed 11/6/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv02334; Disposed 12/3/2007; Judge James S. GWIN Ameriquest Funding II REO Subsidiary LLC v. Bat; Filed 9/10/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv02726; Disposed 12/3/2007; Judge Patricia A. GAUGHAN Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Awad; Filed 9/6/2007; Case No. 5:2007cv01703; Disposed 12/4/2007; Judge David D. DOWD, Jr. Wells Fargo Bank, N A v. Ernest; Filed 11/2/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv03419; Disposed 12/4/2007; Judge David D. DOWD, Jr. Washington Mutual Bank v. Clark; Filed 10/15/2007; Case No. 5:2007cv03177; Disposed 12/4/2007; Judge David D. DOWD, Jr. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Bradford; Filed 7/17/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv02144; Disposed 12/5/2007; Judge Dan Aaron POLSTER Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. DeFrati; Filed 10/23/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv03276; Disposed 12/10/2007; Judge Christopher A. BOYKO LaSalle Bank National Association v. Lyons; Filed 9/10/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv02733; Disposed 12/11/2007; Judge James S. GWIN CitiMortgage, Inc. v. North; Filed 10/30/2007; Case No. 5:2007cv03376; Disposed 12/12/2007; Judge David D. DOWD, Jr. MidFirst Bank v. Deem; Filed 10/22/2007; Case No. 5:2007cv03260; Disposed 12/12/2007; Judge David D. DOWD, Jr. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Squires; Filed 10/8/2007; Case No. 5:2007cv03076; Disposed 12/12/2007; Judge David D. DOWD, Jr. DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc. v. Harper; Filed 10/5/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv03052; Disposed 12/12/2007; Judge David D. DOWD, Jr. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Banfield; Filed 7/26/2007; Case No. 5:2007cv02272; Disposed 12/12/2007; Judge David D. DOWD, Jr. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Black; Filed 10/8/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv03074; Disposed 12/12/2007; Judge David D. DOWD, Jr. CitiMortgage, Inc. v. Stout; Filed 10/23/2007; Case No. 5:2007cv03280; Disposed 12/12/2007; Judge David D. DOWD, Jr. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Lewis; Filed 9/24/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv02903; Disposed 12/12/2007; Judge Lesley WELLS Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. McFarla; Filed 7/10/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv02042; Disposed 12/12/2007; Judge Lesley WELLS Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Jones; Filed 4/23/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv01186; Disposed 12/12/2007; Judge Lesley WELLS Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Henders; Filed 10/8/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv03069; Disposed 12/20/2007; Judge Sara LIOI Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Jackson; Filed 9/12/2007; Case No. 1:2007cv02753; Disposed 12/20/2007; Judge Sara LIOI HSBC Mortgage Services, Inc. v. Hilty; Filed 3/30/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv00279; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH EMC Mortgage Corporation v. Washington; Filed 3/16/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv00226; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH GreenPoint Mortgage Funding v. Cook; Filed 2/27/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv00166; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH Household Realty Corporation v. McCord; Filed 11/6/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv01150; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Raines; Filed 10/26/2007; Case No.

2:2007cv01119; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas v. Glass; Filed 9/21/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv00963; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH Option One Mortgage Corporation v. Merrit; Filed 6/6/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv00536; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Hall; Filed 7/30/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv00731; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Muse; Filed 7/27/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv00727; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH LaSalle Bank National Association v. Claypoole; Filed 7/24/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv00706; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH Hudson City Savings Bank, FSB v. Castleberry; Filed 7/6/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv00642; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Clossman; Filed 6/6/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv00534; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH NovaStar Mortgage, Inc. v. Nelson; Filed 5/11/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv00423; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH HSBC Mortgage Services, Inc. v. King; Filed 10/11/2007; Case No. 2:2007cv01047; Disposed 12/27/2007; Judge John D. HOLSCHUH [NOTE: The PACER Case Name Index truncates the parties names after 50 characters. If the Defendant's name looks peculiar or truncated, please see the case shown by Case Number and Filing Date.]

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Byrd, 178 Ohio App.3d 285, 2008-Ohio-4603

Exhibit P

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO WESTERN DIVISION AT DAYTON IN RE FORECLOSURE CASES CASE NO. 3:07CV043 07CV049 07CV085 07CV138 07CV237 07CV240 07CV246 07CV248 07CV257 07CV286 07CV304 07CV312 07CV317 07CV343 07CV353 07CV360 07CV386 07CV389 07CV390 07CV433 JUDGE THOMAS M. ROSE ________________________________________________________________________ ______ OPINION AND ORDER ________________________________________________________________________ ______ The first private foreclosure action based upon federal diversity jurisdiction was filed in this Court on February 9, 2007. Since then, twenty-six (26) additional complaints for foreclosure based upon federal diversity jurisdiction have been filed. STANDING AND SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION While each of the complaints for foreclosure pleads standing and jurisdiction, evidence submitted either with the complaint or later in the case indicates that standing and/or subject matter jurisdiction may not have existed at the time certain of the foreclosure complaints were filed. Further, only one of these foreclosure complaints thus far was filed in compliance with this Courts General Order 07-03 captioned Procedures for Foreclosure Actions Based On Diversity Jurisdiction. Standing Federal courts have only the power authorized by Article III of the United States Constitution and the statutes enacted by Congress pursuant thereto. Bender v. Williamsport Area School District, 475 U.S. 534, 541 (1986). As a result, a plaintiff must have constitutional standing in order for a federal court to have jurisdiction. Id.

Plaintiffs have the burden of establishing standing. Loren v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan, No. 06-2090, 2007 WL 2726704 at *7 (6th Cir. Sept. 20, 2007). If they cannot do so, their claims must be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Id. (citing Central States Southeast & Southwest Areas Health and Welfare Fund v. Merck-Medco Managed Care, 433 F.3d 181, 199 (2d Cir. 2005)). Because standing involves the federal courts subject matter jurisdiction, it can be raised sua sponte. Id. (citing Central States, 433 F.3d at 198). Further, standing is determined as of the time the complaint is filed. Cleveland Branch, NAACP v. City of Parma, Ohio, 263 F.3d 513, 524 (6th Cir. 2001), cert. denied, 535 U.S. 971 (2002). Finally, while a determination of standing is generally based upon allegations in the complaint, when standing is questioned, courts may consider evidence thereof. See NAACP, 263 F.3d at 523-30; Senter v. General Motors, 532 F.2d 511 (6th Cir. 1976), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 870 (1976). To satisfy Article IIIs standing requirements, a plaintiff must show: (1) it has suffered an injury in fact that is concrete and particularized and actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical; (2) the injury is fairly traceable to the challenged action of the defendant; and (3) it is likely, as opposed to merely speculative, that the injury will be redressed by a favorable decision. Loren, 2007 WL 2726704 at *7. To show standing, then, in a foreclosure action, the plaintiff must show that it is the holder of the note and the mortgage at the time the complaint was filed. The foreclosure plaintiff must also show, at the time the foreclosure action is filed, that the holder of the note and mortgage is harmed, usually by not having received payments on the note. Diversity Jurisdiction In addition to standing, a court may address the issue of subject matter jurisdiction at any time, with or without the issue being raised by a party to the action. Community Health Plan of Ohio v. Mosser, 347 F.3d 619, 622 (6th Cir. 2003). Further, as with standing, the plaintiff must show that the federal court has subject matter jurisdiction over the foreclosure action at the time the foreclosure action was filed. Coyne v. American Tobacco Company, 183 F.3d 488, 492-93 (6th Cir. 1999). Also as with standing, a federal court is required to assure itself that it has subject matter jurisdiction and the burden is on the plaintiff to show that subject matter jurisdiction existed at the time the complaint was filed. Id. Finally, if subject matter jurisdiction is questioned by the court, the plaintiff cannot rely solely upon the allegations in the complaint and must bring forward relevant, adequate proof that establishes subject matter jurisdiction. Nelson Construction Co. v. U.S., No. 05-1205C, 2007 WL 3299161 at *3 (Fed. Cl., Oct. 29, 2007) (citing McNutt v. General Motors Acceptance Corp. of Indiana, 298 U.S. 178 (1936)); see also Nichols v. Muskingum College, 318 F.3d 674, (6th Cir. 2003) (in reviewing a 12(b)(1) motion, the court may consider evidence outside the pleadings to resolve factual disputes concerning jurisdiction). The foreclosure actions are brought to federal court based upon the federal court having jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1332, termed diversity jurisdiction. To invoke diversity jurisdiction, the plaintiff must show that there is complete diversity of citizenship of the parties and that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. 28 U.S.C. 1332. Conclusion

While the plaintiffs in each of the above-captioned cases have pled that they have standing and that this Court has subject matter jurisdiction, they have submitted evidence that indicates that they may not have had standing at the time the foreclosure complaint was filed and that subject matter jurisdiction may not have existed when the foreclosure complaint was filed. Further, this Court has the responsibility to assure itself that the foreclosure plaintiffs have standing and that subject-matter-jurisdiction requirements are met at the time the complaint is filed. Even without the concerns raised by the documents the plaintiffs have filed, there is reason to question the existence of standing and the jurisdictional amount. See Katherine M. Porter, Misbehavior and Mistake in Bankruptcy Mortgage Claims 3-4 (November 6, 2007), University of Iowa College of Law Legal Studies Research Paper Series Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract-1027961 ([H]ome mortgage lenders often disobey the law and overreach in calculating the mortgage obligations of consumers. Many of the overcharges and unreliable calculations raise the specter of poor recordkeeping, failure to comply with consumer protection laws, and massive, consistent overcharging.) Therefore, plaintiffs are given until not later than thirty days following entry of this order to submit evidence showing that they had standing in the above-captioned cases when the The Court views the statement the complaint must be accompanied by the following to mean that the items listed must be filed with the complaint and not at some time later that is more convenient for the plaintiff. complaint was filed and that this Court had diversity jurisdiction when the complaint was filed. Failure to do so will result in dismissal without prejudice to refiling if and when the plaintiff acquires standing and the diversity jurisdiction requirements are met. See In re Foreclosure Cases, No. 1:07CV2282, et al., slip op. (N.D. Ohio Oct. 31, 2007) (Boyko, J.) COMPLIANCE WITH GENERAL ORDER 07-03 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 83(a)(2) provides that a local rule imposing a requirement of form shall not be enforced in a manner that causes a party to lose rights because of a nonwillful failure to comply with the requirement. Fed. R. Civ. P. 83(a)(2). The Court recognizes that a local rule concerning what documents are to be filed with a certain type of complaint is a rule of form. Hicks v. Miller Brewing Company, 2002 WL 663703 (5th Cir. 2002). However, a party may be denied rights as a sanction if failure to comply with such a local rule is willful. Id. General Order 07-03 provides procedures for foreclosure actions that are based upon diversity jurisdiction. Included in this General Order is a list of items that must accompany the Complaint.1 Among the items listed are: a Preliminary Judicial Report; a written payment history verified by the plaintiffs affidavit that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000; a legible copy of the promissory note and any loan modifications, a recorded copy of the mortgage; any applicable assignments of the mortgage, an affidavit documenting that the named plaintiff is the owner and holder of the note and mortgage; and a corporate disclosure statement. In general, it is from these items and the foreclosure complaint that the Court can confirm standing and the The

Sixth Circuit may look to an attorneys actions in other cases to determine the extent of his or her good faith in a particular action. See Capital Indemnity Corp. v. Jellinick, 75 F. Appx 999, 1002 (6th Cir. 2003). Further, the law holds a plaintiff accountable for the acts and omissions of [its] chosen counsel. Pioneer Inv. Services Co. v. Brunswick Associates Ltd. Partnership, 507 U.S. 380, 397 (1993). existence of diversity jurisdiction at the time the foreclosure complaint is filed. Conclusion To date, twenty-six (26) of the twenty-seven (27) foreclosure actions based upon diversity jurisdiction pending before this Court were filed by the same attorney. One of the twenty-six (26) foreclosure actions was filed in compliance with General Order 0703. The remainder were not.2 Also, many of these foreclosure complaints are notated on the docket to indicate that they are not in compliance. Finally, the attorney who has filed the twenty-six (26) foreclosure complaints has informed the Court on the record that he knows and can comply with the filing requirements found in General Order 07-03. Therefore, since the attorney who has filed twenty-six (26) of the twenty-seven (27) foreclosure actions based upon diversity jurisdiction that are currently before this Court is well aware of the requirements of General Order 07-03 and can comply with the General Orders filing requirements, failure in the future by this attorney to comply with the filing requirements of General Order 07-03 may only be considered to be willful. Also, due to the extensive discussions and argument that has taken place, failure to comply with the requirements of the General Order beyond the filing requirements by this attorney may also be considered to be willful. A willful failure to comply with General Order 07-03 in the future by the attorney who filed the twenty-six foreclosure actions now pending may result in immediate dismissal of the foreclosure action. Further, the attorney who filed the twenty-seventh foreclosure action is hereby put on notice that failure to comply with General Order 07-03 in the future may result in immediate dismissal of the foreclosure action. This Court is well aware that entities who hold valid notes are entitled to receive timely payments in accordance with the notes. And, if they do not receive timely payments, the entities have the right to seek foreclosure on the accompanying mortgages. However, with regard the enforcement of standing and other jurisdictional requirements pertaining to foreclosure actions, this Court is in full agreement with Judge Christopher A Boyko of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio who recently stressed that the judicial integrity of the United States District Court is Priceless. DONE and ORDERED in Dayton, Ohio, this Fifteenth day of November, 2007. s/Thomas M. Rose ____________________________________ THOMAS M. ROSE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE Copies provided: Counsel of Record

Exhibit Q
Northern District of Ohio Ruling
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO EASTERN DIVISION IN RE FORECLOSURE CASES ) CASE NO. NO.1:07CV2282 ) 07CV2532 ) 07CV2560 ) 07CV2602 ) 07CV2631 ) 07CV2638 ) 07CV2681 ) 07CV2695 ) 07CV2920 ) 07CV2930 ) 07CV2949 ) 07CV2950 ) 07CV3000 ) 07CV3029 ) ) JUDGE CHRISTOPHER A. BOYKO ) ) ) ) OPINION AND ORDER

CHRISTOPHER A. BOYKO, J.: On October 10, 2007, this Court issued an Order requiring Plaintiff-Lenders in a number of pending foreclosure cases to file a copy of the executed Assignment demonstrating Plaintiff was the holder and owner of the Note and Mortgage as of the date the Complaint was filed, or the Court would enter a dismissal. After considering the submissions, along with all the documents filed of record, the Court dismisses the captioned cases without prejudice. The Court has reached todays determination after a thorough review of all the relevant law and the briefs and arguments recently presented by the [*2] parties, including oral arguments heard on Plaintiff Deutsche Banks Motion for Reconsideration. The decision, therefore, is applicable from this date forward, and shall not have retroactive effect. LAW AND ANALYSIS A party seeking to bring a case into federal court on grounds of diversity carries the burden of establishing diversity jurisdiction. Coyne v. American Tobacco Company,

183 F. 3d 488 (6th Cir. 1999). Further, the plaintiff bears the burden of demonstrating standing and must plead its components with specificity. Coyne, 183 F. 3d at 494; Valley Forge Christian College v. Americans United for Separation of Church & State, Inc., 454 U.S. 464 (1982). The minimum constitutional requirements for standing are: proof of injury in fact, causation, and redressability. Valley Forge, 454 U.S. at 472. In addition, the plaintiff must be a proper proponent, and the action a proper vehicle, to vindicate the rights asserted. Coyne, 183 F. 3d at 494 (quoting Pestrak v. Ohio Elections Commn, 926 F. 2d 573, 576 (6th Cir. 1991)). To satisfy the requirements of Article III of the United States Constitution, the plaintiff must show he has personally suffered some actual injury as a result of the illegal conduct of the defendant. (Emphasis added). Coyne, 183 F. 3d at 494; Valley Forge, 454 U.S. at 472. In each of the above-captioned Complaints, the named Plaintiff alleges it is the holder and owner of the Note and Mortgage. However, the attached Note and Mortgage identify the mortgagee and promisee as the original lending institution one other than the named Plaintiff. Further, the Preliminary Judicial Report attached as an exhibit to the Complaint makes no reference to the named Plaintiff in the recorded chain of title/interest. The Courts Amended General Order No. 2006-16 requires Plaintiff to submit an affidavit along with the Complaint, which identifies Plaintiff either as the original mortgage holder, or as an assignee, trustee or successor-in-interest. Once again, the affidavits submitted in all these cases recite the averment that Plaintiff is the owner of the Note and Mortgage, without any mention of an assignment or trust or successor interest. Consequently, the very filings and submissions of the Plaintiff create a conflict. In every instance, then, Plaintiff has not satisfied its burden of demonstrating standing at the time of the filing of the Complaint. Understandably, the Court [*4] requested clarification by requiring each Plaintiff to submit a copy of the Assignment of the Note and Mortgage, executed as of the date of the Foreclosure Complaint. In the above-captioned cases, none of the Assignments show the named Plaintiff to be the owner of the rights, title and interest under the Mortgage at issue as of the date of the Foreclosure Complaint. The Assignments, in every instance, express a present intent to convey all rights, title and interest in the Mortgage and the accompanying Note to the Plaintiff named in the caption of the Foreclosure Complaint upon receipt of sufficient consideration on the date the Assignment was signed and notarized. Further, the Assignment documents are all prepared by counsel for the named

Plaintiffs. These proffered documents belie Plaintiffs assertion they own the Note and Mortgage by means of a purchase which pre-dated the Complaint by days, months or years. Plaintiff-Lenders shall take note, furthermore, that prior to the issuance of its October 10, 2007 Order, the Court considered the principles of real party in interest, and examined Fed. R. Civ. P. 17 Parties Plaintiff and Defendant; Capacity and its associated [*5] Commentary. The Rule is not apropos to the situation raised by these Foreclosure Complaints. The Rules Commentary offers this explanation: The provision should not be misunderstood or distorted. It is intended to prevent forfeiture when determination of the proper party to sue is difficult or when an understandable mistake has been made. ... It is, in cases of this sort, intended to insure against forfeiture and injustice ... Plaintiff-Lenders do not allege mistake or that a party cannot be identified. Nor will Plaintiff-Lenders suffer forfeiture or injustice by the dismissal of these defective complaints otherwise than on the merits.

Moreover, this Court is obligated to carefully scrutinize all filings and pleadings in foreclosure actions, since the unique nature of real property requires contracts and transactions concerning real property to be in writing. R.C. 1335.04. Ohio law holds that when a mortgage is assigned, moreover, the assignment is subject to the recording requirements of R.C. 5301.25. Creager v. Anderson (1934), 16 Ohio Law Abs. 4001 (interpreting the former statute, G.C. 8543). Thus, with regards to real property, before an entity assigned an interest in that [*6] property would be entitled to receive a distribution from the sale of the property, their interest therein must have been recorded in accordance with Ohio law. In re Ochmanek, 266 B.R. 114, 120 (Bkrtcy.N.D. Ohio 2000) (citing Pinney v. Merchants National Bank of Defiance, 71 Ohio St. 173, 177 (1904).1 This Court acknowledges the right of banks, holding valid mortgages, to receive timely payments. And, if they do not receive timely payments, banks have the right to

1 Astoundingly, counsel at oral argument stated that his client, the purchaser from the original mortgagee, acquired complete legal and equitable interest in land when money changed hands, even before the purchase agreement, let alone a proper assignment, made its way into his clients possession.

properly file actions on the defaulted notes seeking foreclosure on the property securing the notes. Yet, this Court possesses the independent obligations to preserve the judicial integrity of the federal court and to jealously guard federal jurisdiction. Neither the fluidity of the secondary mortgage market, nor monetary or economic considerations of the parties, nor the convenience of the litigants supersede those obligations. Despite Plaintiffs counsels belief that there appears to be some level of disagreement and/or misunderstanding amongst professionals, borrowers, attorneys and members of the judiciary, the Court does not require instruction and is not operating under any misapprehension. The real party in interest rule, to which the PlaintiffLenders continually refer in their responses or motions, is clearly comprehended by the Court and is not intended to assist banks in avoiding traditional federal diversity requirements.2 Unlike Ohio State law and procedure, as Plaintiffs perceive it, the federal judicial system need not, and will not, be forgiving in this regard.3 Case 1:07-cv-02282-CAB Document 11 Filed 10/31/2007 Page 4 of 6
2 Plaintiffs reliance on Ohios real party in interest rule (ORCP 17) and on any Ohio case citations is misplaced. Although Ohio law guides federal courts on substantive issues, state procedural law cannot be used to explain, modify or contradict a federal rule of procedure, which purpose is clearly spelled out in the Commentary. In federal diversity actions, state law governs substantive issues and federal law governs procedural issues. Erie R.R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 63 (1938); Legg v. Chopra, 286 F. 3d 286, 289 (6th Cir. 2002); Gafford v. General Electric Company, 997 F. 2d 150, 165-6 (6th Cir. 1993). 3 Plaintiffs, Judge, you just dont understand how things work, argument reveals a condescending mindset and quasi-monopolistic system where financial institutions have traditionally controlled, and still control, the foreclosure process. Typically, the homeowner who finds himself/herself in financial straits, fails to make the required mortgage payments and faces a foreclosure suit, is not interested in testing state or federal jurisdictional requirements, either pro se or through counsel. Their focus is either, how do I save my home, or if I have to give it up, Ill simply leave and find somewhere else to live. In the meantime, the financial institutions or successors/assignees rush to foreclose, obtain a default judgment and then sit on the deed, avoiding responsibility for maintaining the property while reaping the financial benefits of interest running on a judgment. The financial institutions know the law charges the one with title (still the homeowner) with maintaining the property. There is no doubt every decision made by a financial institution in the foreclosure process is driven by money. And the legal work which flows from winning the financial institutions favor is highly lucrative. There is nothing improper or wrong with financial institutions or law firms making a profit to the contrary , they should be rewarded for sound business and legal practices. However, unchallenged by underfinanced opponents, the institutions worry less about jurisdictional requirements and more about maximizing returns. Unlike the focus of financial institutions, the federal courts must act as gatekeepers, assuring that only those who meet diversity and standing requirements are allowed to pass through. Counsel for the institutions are not without legal argument to support their position, but their arguments fall woefully short of justifying their premature filings, and utterly fail to satisfy their standingand jurisdictional burdens. The institutions seem to adopt the attitude that since they have been doing this for so long, unchallenged, this practice equates with legal compliance. Finally put to the test, their weak legal arguments compel the Court to stop them at the gate.

The Court will illustrate in simple terms its decision: Fluidity of the market X dollars, contractual arrangements between institutions and counsel X dollars, purchasing mortgages in bulk and securitizing X dollars, rush to file, slow to record after judgment X dollars, the jurisdictional integrity of United States District Court Priceless.

CONCLUSION For all the foregoing reasons, the above-captioned Foreclosure Complaints are dismissed without prejudice. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATE: October 31, 2007 S/Christopher A. Boyko CHRISTOPHER A. BOYKO United States District Judge

Exhibit T

LA Federal Court Denies Wells Fargo

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA MONDONA RAFIZADEH, ET AL VERSUS 5194 WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., ET AL SECTION "J" (4) ORDER AND REASONS Before the Court is Plaintiff Mondona Rafizadehs Motion for New Trial Under Rule 59 of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 60 of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure with Regards to Decision Rendered by this Court on November 13, 2007 Dismissing Plaintiffs Petition (Rec. Doc. 45). This motion, which is opposed, was set for hearing on January 9, 2008 on the briefs. Also before the Court is Rodney D. Tow, Chapter 7 Trustees (the Trustee) Motion to Intervene (Rec. Doc. 41) and the Trustees Motion for New Trial and/or for Reconsideration of Judgment (Rec. Doc. 42). Both motions were set for hearing on January 9, 2008 on the briefs; however, only the Motion for New Trial is opposed. For the reasons that follow, the Court finds that Plaintiffs and the Trustees motions should be granted, and this matter remanded. CIVIL ACTION NO. 07-

Background Facts and Procedural History On December 23, 2004, after a four-day trial, the 24th Judicial District for the Parish of Jefferson entered judgment for Plaintiff Wells Fargo Bank, by and through its Master and Special Servicer, ORIX Capital Markets (hereinafter Orix) for approximately $10.8 million against debtors Mondona Rafizadeh, Cyrus II Partnership, and Bahar Development (hereinafter Debtors). The judgment entered was based upon certain events of default by Debtors (coupled with fraud), which warranted Orixs foreclosure. The litigation is now on appeal before the State Fifth Circuit in Gretna, Louisiana. In June 2005, Debtors filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. Orix filed a proof of claim and reached a settlement agreement with the Bankruptcy Trustee on March 29, 2006. By October 2006, through discovery in the bankruptcy proceedings, Debtors claim they learned of certain information integral to the 2004 litigation, which was not disclosed despite discovery requests in the earlier action. Thus, Debtors filed a counterclaim against Orix in the bankruptcy proceeding. On January 5, 2007, the Bankruptcy Court dismissed the counterclaim,holding that Debtors had no standing to attack Orixs claim against the bankruptcy estate. Then on August 14, 2007, Rafizadeh alone filed the current action in the 24th Judicial District, asking that court to annul its 2004 judgment. On August 29, 2007, the now Defendant Orix filed a notice of removal with the intent to transfer the case to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas for referral to the Bankruptcy Court. Plaintiff then filed a motion to remand to the 24th Judicial District. Defendant contemporaneously filed a 12(b) motion to transfer and/or dismiss. This Court dismissed the claim based on the preclusive effect of the bankruptcy courts earlier ruling. On November 29, 2007, Rafizadeh filed a motion for a new trial, which is now before this Court. The Chapter 7 Trustee Rodney Tow (Trustee) also filed a motion for a new trial in addition to a motion to intervene. The Parties Arguments In support of the motion for a new trial, Plaintiff argues that this Court misinterpreted the bankruptcy courts earlier ruling. Plaintiff argues that the

bankruptcy courts refusal to hold Plaintiff in contempt for filing this action and the bankruptcy courts recommendation that the Trustee join the current action, implies that the bankruptcy court did not see its previous rulings as having barred this nullity action. Plaintiff relies in support on the bankruptcy courts later clarification of its ruling in which that court denies claim preclusive effect. The Trustee supports Plaintiffs argument, adding that the parties bankruptcy settlement agreement includes a reservation of rights and the bankruptcy court has stated that it has not ruled on the merits of Plaintiffs nullity action. Furthermore, upon motion for clarification by the Trustee, on December 26, 2007, the bankruptcy court stated that no prior Order of this Court precludes Mondona Rafizadeh or the Trustee from asserting the Nullity Action within a Louisiana State Court or Federal Court to which such action has been removed or to take such action within such court as to preserve the Nullity Action as a basis for an objection to the claim or ORIX within this court. In addition to supporting Plaintiffs argument regarding the non-preclusive effect of the bankruptcy courts ruling, the Trustee further asserts additional arguments for a new trial, specifically attacking federal jurisdiction over the matter. First, the Trustee argues that under the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, federal district courts lack subject matter jurisdiction to entertain collateral attacks on state court judgments. The Trustee acknowledges that the applicability of this doctrine to this action is unclear as the action originated in state court. However, the Trustee contends that in dismissing this action, under Rooker-Feldman the parties may be unable to commence suit in bankruptcy court. Alternatively, the Trustee argues that this Court did not have subject matter jurisdiction over the nullity action when it dismissed based on res judicata. The Trustee cites a number of cases following Barrow v. Hunton, 99 U.S. 80 (1878), where a federal court remanded a nullity action to state court. Finally, the Trustee argues that this case should be remanded under principles of abstention. The Trustee states that it would be inequitable for him to comply with the bankruptcy courts directive that he join the current action, only for it to be dismissed based on res judicata. Also under the doctrines of Rooker-Feldman and Barrow, this

Court or the bankruptcy court may be unable to exercise jurisdiction, leaving the Trustee without a remedy. In opposition to Plaintiffs and the Trustees motions,Defendant argues that the Court was correct in determining that the suit is barred under res judicata. The claims in the current action should have been alleged in the dischargeability suit dismissed by the bankruptcy court. The bankruptcy courts denial of Plaintiffs motion to amend does not alter the claim preclusive effect. Defendant then likens the bankruptcy courts clarification order to an impermissible advisory opinion, arguing that the bankruptcy court does not have the authority to determine the effect of its own judgments. Regarding the Trustees jurisdictional claims, Defendant argues that Rooker-Feldman does not apply because Plaintiff is not asserting any legal wrong. Plaintiffs claim is not based upon an error of the court, but rather on the harm caused by Defendants actions. In reply, the Trustee argues that the bankruptcy courts earlier order does not preclude the present action because the 1 Despite arguing that this Courts previous order dismissing Plaintiffs claim was likely the result of access to an incomplete bankruptcy court record, no party has yet furnished to this Court the bankruptcy courts January 5, 2007 order dismissing Plaintiffs counterclaim. prior judgment was not final and on the merits. The bankruptcy court dismissed Plaintiffs counterclaim for lack of standing.1 Lack of standing evidences a lack of subject matter jurisdiction, and thus the dismissal is not considered a ruling on the merits of the claim. Also, the Trustee refutes Orixs characterization of the bankruptcy courts clarification order as an advisory opinion. The Trustee likens the clarification order to an exception to the common law doctrine of functus officio. The exception provides that when an arbiters award is incomplete or ambiguous, a federal court may seek clarification from the arbiter. Discussion A. New Trial Determining whether to grant a new trial depends on the res judicata effect of the bankruptcy courts earlier order. In its November 13, 2007 Order and Reasons, this Court dismissed Plaintiffs claims because the bankruptcy courts January 5, 2007 order both denied Plaintiffs motion to amend her counterclaim, an amendment that is

similar in substance to the current action,and also subsequently dismissed Plaintiffs claims against Defendants. Both Plaintiff and the Trustee argue that the bankruptcy court did not consider its denial of Plaintiffs counterclaim to be res judicata as to the validity of this action. Specifically, the bankruptcy courts January 5, 2007 order, which dismissed2 Plaintiffs motion to amend her counterclaim to include the charges of fraud present in this action, did not rule on the merits of the proposed amendment. The Trustee argues that these earlier orders of the bankruptcy court do not bar the current action as they were not final and on the merits. A bankruptcy judgment bars a subsequent suit if: (1) both cases involve the same parties; (2) the prior judgment was rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction; (3) the prior decision was a final judgment on the merits; and (4) the same cause of action is at issue in both cases. In re Baudoin, 981 F.2d 736, 740 (5th Cir. 1993). Plaintiffs bankruptcy counterclaim against Orix, which attempted to assert the same issues as the current action, was dismissed for lack of standing. Therefore, because dismissal on jurisdictional grounds2 is not considered a dismissal on the merits, it does not serve as res judicata on the substance of the claim.3 Boone v. Kurtz, 617 F.2d 435, 436 (5th Cir. 1980). Therefore, because the bankruptcy courts January 2007 order was not a final judgment on the merits, the current action is not barred under res judicata. As a result, this Court now turns to the merits of Plaintiffs Motion to Remand (Rec. Doc. 11) and Defendants Consolidated 12(b) Motion to Transfer and/or Dismiss (Rec. Doc. 21). a federal district court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to address the merits of the case. Minvielle, L.L.C. v. Atlantic Refining Co., No. 05-1312, 2007 WL 2668715, *4 (W.D. La.). 1 3 However, the January 2007 judgment does have res judicata effect to the extent of the determination of standing; that
2
2

It is well settled that unless a plaintiff has standing,

is, Plaintiff cannot seek to relitigate the same jurisdictional claims. See Minvielle, 2007 WL 2668715, at *5. Despite this Courts earlier determination of Plaintiffs standing, though, because the Trustee now seeks to intervene in the matter, there is no longer a dispute regarding standing.

B. Remand or Transfer After finding that dismissal is not appropriate, this Court must now determine whether to remand the case to state court or transfer to the Southern District of Texas for referral to the bankruptcy court. The United States Supreme Court has held that where a nullity action to set aside a state court judgment is a supplementary proceeding so connected with the original suit as to form an incident to it, the federal district court may decline removal jurisdiction. Barrow v. Hunton, 99 U.S. 80, 82 (1879). In Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, Inc. v. Carboline Co., the plaintiff brought an action in state court to have an earlier judgment declared null due to the fraudulent practices of the defendant, specifically the withholding of documents during an earlier trial. 847 F.Supp. 452, 452 (M.D. La. 1994); see also Taylor v. Taylor, No. 01-1886, 2001 WL 1491026, *1 (E.D. La. Nov. 21, 2001). The defendant removed the action to the Middle District of Louisiana; however, the court subsequently granted the plaintiffs motion to remand. Id. at 453. Applying Barrow, the court held that the nullity action was so connected with the original state suit as to form a continuation of the earlier litigation. Id. In this case, Plaintiff effectively seeks to overturn the state courts earlier judgment based on Orixs noncompliance with the discovery orders in that suit. Like in Our Lady of the Lake Hospital, this action forms a continuation of the earlier state suit. Plaintiffs proposed remedy would serve to overturn the state court judgment, in effect allowing this Court to exercise appellate jurisdiction. See Taylor, 2001 WL 1491026, at *1. Therefore, this case should be remanded. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiffs Motion for New Trial Under Rule 59 of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Rule 60 of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure with Regards to Decision Rendered by this Court on November 13, 2007 Dismissing Plaintiffs Petition (Rec. Doc. 45) is hereby GRANTED.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Trustees Motion to Intervene (Rec. Doc. 41) is hereby GRANTED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Trustees Motion for New Trial and/or for Reconsideration of Judgment (Rec. Doc. 42) is hereby GRANTED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs Motion to Remand (Rec. Doc. 11) is hereby GRANTED; the above-captioned action is hereby REMANDED to the court from which it was removed. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendant ORIXs Consolidated 12(b) Motion to Transfer and/or Dismiss (Rec. Doc. 21) is hereby DENIED. New Orleans, Louisiana, this 22nd day of January, 2008. _____________________________ CARL J. BARBIER UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Exhibit S

VA Federal Court Denies Wells Fargo

Assignment From Option One To Wells Fargo Exhibit E

Option One Underwriters Worksheet Exhibit F

Universal Residential Loan Application Exhibit G1

Universal Residential Loan Application Exhibit G2

Universal Commercial Code

3-104. NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENT. (a) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), "negotiable instrument" means an unconditional promise or order to pay a fixed amount of money, with or without interest or other charges described in the promise or order, if it: (1) is payable to bearer or to order at the time it is issued or first comes into possession of a holder; (2) is payable on demand or at a definite time; and (3) does not state any other undertaking or instruction by the person promising or ordering payment to do any act in addition to the payment of money, but the promise or order may contain (i) an undertaking or power to give, maintain, or protect collateral to secure payment, (ii) an authorization or power to the holder to confess judgment or realize on or dispose of collateral, or (iii) a waiver of the benefit of any law intended for the advantage or protection of an obligor. (b) "Instrument" means a negotiable instrument. (c) An order that meets all of the requirements of subsection (a), except paragraph (1), and otherwise falls within the definition of "check" in subsection (f) is a negotiable instrument and a check. (d) A promise or order other than a check is not an instrument if, at the time it is issued or first comes into possession of a holder, it contains a conspicuous statement, however expressed, to the effect that the promise or order is not negotiable or is not an instrument governed by this Article. (e) An instrument is a "note" if it is a promise and is a "draft" if it is an order. If an instrument falls within the definition of both "note" and "draft," a person entitled to enforce the instrument may treat it as either. (f) "Check" means (i) a draft, other than a documentary draft, payable on demand and drawn on a bank or (ii) a cashier's check or teller's check. An instrument may be a check even though it is described on its face by another term, such as "money order." (g) "Cashier's check" means a draft with respect to which the drawer and drawee are the same bank or branches of the same bank. (h) "Teller's check" means a draft drawn by a bank (i) on another bank, or (ii) payable at or through a bank. (i) "Traveler's check" means an instrument that (i) is payable on demand, (ii) is drawn on or payable at or through a bank, (iii) is designated by the term "traveler's check" or by a substantially similar term, and (iv) requires, as a condition to payment, a countersignature by a person whose specimen signature appears on the instrument.

(j)"Certificate of deposit" means an instrument containing an acknowledgment by a bank that a sum of money has been received by the bank and a promise by the bank to repay the sum of money. A certificate of deposit is a note of the bank.

Part 2 NEGOTIATION, TRANSFER, AND INDORSEMENT 3-202. NEGOTIATION SUBJECT TO RESCISSION. (a) Negotiation is effective even if obtained (i) from an infant, a corporation exceeding its powers, or a person without capacity, (ii) by fraud, duress, or mistake, or (iii) in breach of duty or as part of an illegal transaction. (b) To the extent permitted by other law, negotiation may be rescinded or may be subject to other remedies, but those remedies may not be asserted against a subsequent holder in due course or a person paying the instrument in good faith and without knowledge of facts that are a basis for rescission or other remedy. 3-203. TRANSFER OF INSTRUMENT; RIGHTS ACQUIRED BY TRANSFER. (a) An instrument is transferred when it is delivered by a person other than its issuer for the purpose of giving to the person receiving delivery the right to enforce the instrument. (b) Transfer of an instrument, whether or not the transfer is a negotiation, vests in the transferee any right of the transferor to enforce the instrument, including any right as a holder in due course, but the transferee cannot acquire rights of a holder in due course by a transfer, directly or indirectly, from a holder in due course if the transferee engaged in fraud or illegality affecting the instrument. (c) Unless otherwise agreed, if an instrument is transferred for value and the transferee does not become a holder because of lack of indorsement by the transferor, the transferee has a specifically enforceable right to the unqualified indorsement of the transferor, but negotiation of the instrument does not occur until the indorsement is made. (d) If a transferor purports to transfer less than the entire instrument, negotiation of the instrument does not occur. The transferee obtains no rights under this Article and has only the rights of a partial assignee. 3-204. INDORSEMENT. (a) "Indorsement" means a signature, other than that of a signer as maker, drawer, or acceptor, that alone or accompanied by other words is made on an instrument for the purpose of (i) negotiating the instrument, (ii) restricting payment of the instrument, or (iii) incurring indorser's liability on the instrument, but regardless of the intent of the signer, a signature and its accompanying words is an indorsement unless the accompanying words, terms of the instrument, place of the signature, or other circumstances unambiguously indicate that the signature was made for a purpose other than indorsement. For the purpose of determining whether a signature is made on an instrument, a paper affixed to the instrument is a part of the instrument.

(b) "Indorser" means a person who makes an indorsement. (c) For the purpose of determining whether the transferee of an instrument is a holder, an indorsement that transfers a security interest in the instrument is effective as an unqualified indorsement of the instrument. (d) If an instrument is payable to a holder under a name that is not the name of the holder, indorsement may be made by the holder in the name stated in the instrument or in the holder's name or both, but signature in both names may be required by a person paying or taking the instrument for value or collection. 3-205. SPECIAL INDORSEMENT; BLANK INDORSEMENT; ANOMALOUS INDORSEMENT. (a) If an indorsement is made by the holder of an instrument, whether payable to an identified person or payable to bearer, and the indorsement identifies a person to whom it makes the instrument payable, it is a "special indorsement." When specially indorsed, an instrument becomes payable to the identified person and may be negotiated only by the indorsement of that person. The principles stated in Section 3-110 apply to special indorsements. (b) If an indorsement is made by the holder of an instrument and it is not a special indorsement, it is a "blank indorsement." When indorsed in blank, an instrument becomes payable to bearer and may be negotiated by transfer of possession alone until specially indorsed. (c) The holder may convert a blank indorsement that consists only of a signature into a special indorsement by writing, above the signature of the indorser, words identifying the person to whom the instrument is made payable. (d) "Anomalous indorsement" means an indorsement made by a person who is not the holder of the instrument. An anomalous indorsement does not affect the manner in which the instrument may be negotiated. 3-206. RESTRICTIVE INDORSEMENT. (a) An indorsement limiting payment to a particular person or otherwise prohibiting further transfer or negotiation of the instrument is not effective to prevent further transfer or negotiation of the instrument. (b) An indorsement stating a condition to the right of the indorsee to receive payment does not affect the right of the indorsee to enforce the instrument. A person paying the instrument or taking it for value or collection may disregard the condition, and the rights and liabilities of that person are not affected by whether the condition has been fulfilled. (c) If an instrument bears an indorsement (i) described in Section 4-201(b), or (ii) in blank or to a particular bank using the words "for deposit," "for collection," or other words indicating a purpose of having the instrument collected by a bank for the indorser or for a particular account, the following rules apply:

(1) A person, other than a bank, who purchases the instrument when so indorsed converts the instrument unless the amount paid for the instrument is received by the indorser or applied consistently with the indorsement. (2) A depositary bank that purchases the instrument or takes it for collection when so indorsed converts the instrument unless the amount paid by the bank with respect to the instrument is received by the indorser or applied consistently with the indorsement. (3) A payor bank that is also the depositary bank or that takes the instrument for immediate payment over the counter from a person other than a collecting bank converts the instrument unless the proceeds of the instrument are received by the indorser or applied consistently with the indorsement. (4) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3), a payor bank or intermediary bank may disregard the indorsement and is not liable if the proceeds of the instrument are not received by the indorser or applied consistently with the indorsement. (d) Except for an indorsement covered by subsection (c), if an instrument bears an indorsement using words to the effect that payment is to be made to the indorsee as agent, trustee, or other fiduciary for the benefit of the indorser or another person, the following rules apply: (1) Unless there is notice of breach of fiduciary duty as provided in Section 3-307, a person who purchases the instrument from the indorsee or takes the instrument from the indorsee for collection or payment may pay the proceeds of payment or the value given for the instrument to the indorsee without regard to whether the indorsee violates a fiduciary duty to the indorser. (2) A subsequent transferee of the instrument or person who pays the instrument is neither given notice nor otherwise affected by the restriction in the indorsement unless the transferee or payor knows that the fiduciary dealt with the instrument or its proceeds in breach of fiduciary duty. (e) The presence on an instrument of an indorsement to which this section applies does not prevent a purchaser of the instrument from becoming a holder in due course of the instrument unless the purchaser is a converter under subsection (c) or has notice or knowledge of breach of fiduciary duty as stated in subsection (d). (f) In an action to enforce the obligation of a party to pay the instrument, the obligor has a defense if payment would violate an indorsement to which this section applies and the payment is not permitted by this section. 3-207. REACQUISITION. Reacquisition of an instrument occurs if it is transferred to a former holder, by negotiation or otherwise. A former holder who reacquires the instrument may cancel indorsements made after the reacquirer first became a holder of the instrument. If the cancellation causes the instrument to be payable to the reacquirer or to bearer, the reacquirer may negotiate the instrument. An indorser whose indorsement is canceled is discharged, and the discharge is effective against any subsequent holder.

Part 3 Enforcement Of Instruments 3-302. HOLDER IN DUE COURSE. (a) Subject to subsection (c) and Section 3-106(d), "holder in due course" means the holder of an instrument if: (1) the instrument when issued or negotiated to the holder does not bear such apparent evidence of forgery or alteration or is not otherwise so irregular or incomplete as to call into question its authenticity; and (2) the holder took the instrument (i) for value, (ii) in good faith, (iii) without notice that the instrument is overdue or has been dishonored or that there is an uncured default with respect to payment of another instrument issued as part of the same series, (iv) without notice that the instrument contains an unauthorized signature or has been altered, (v) without notice of any claim to the instrument described in Section 3-306, and (vi) without notice that any party has a defense or claim in recoupment described in Section 3-305(a). (b) Notice of discharge of a party, other than discharge in an insolvency proceeding, is not notice of a defense under subsection (a), but discharge is effective against a person who became a holder in due course with notice of the discharge. Public filing or recording of a document does not of itself constitute notice of a defense, claim in recoupment, or claim to the instrument. (c) Except to the extent a transferor or predecessor in interest has rights as a holder in due course, a person does not acquire rights of a holder in due course of an instrument taken (i) by legal process or by purchase in an execution, bankruptcy, or creditor's sale or similar proceeding, (ii) by purchase as part of a bulk transaction not in ordinary course of business of the transferor, or (iii) as the successor in interest to an estate or other organization. (d) If, under Section 3-303(a)(1), the promise of performance that is the consideration for an instrument has been partially performed, the holder may assert rights as a holder in due course of the instrument only to the fraction of the amount payable under the instrument equal to the value of the partial performance divided by the value of the promised performance. (e) If (i) the person entitled to enforce an instrument has only a security interest in the instrument and (ii) the person obliged to pay the instrument has a defense, claim in recoupment, or claim to the instrument that may be asserted against the person who granted the security interest, the person entitled to enforce the instrument may assert rights as a holder in due course only to an amount payable under the instrument which, at the time of enforcement of the instrument, does not exceed the amount of the unpaid obligation secured. (f) To be effective, notice must be received at a time and in a manner that gives a reasonable opportunity to act on it.

(g) This section is subject to any law limiting status as a holder in due course in particular classes of transactions.

Exhibit H Purchase Price And Terms Agreement

Exhibit J Pooling & Servicing Agreement 2.03

Exhibit J Assignment from H&R Block to Option One

OHIO CONSUMER SALES PRACTICES ACT

Note: This is Ohios UDAP law. It generally covers the legal aspects of any transaction between a consumer and most businesses and makes it illegal for any business to do anything that is unfair or deceptive or unconscionable to a consumer. The exact text of the important parts of the law follow: To download the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act in PDF Format, click here. OHIO CONSUMER SALES PRACTICES ACT R.C. 1345.01 et seq TABLE OF CONTENTS 1345.01 Definitions 1345.02 Unfair or deceptive consumer sales practices prohibited 1345.03 Unconscionable consumer sales practices 1345.09 Private remedies. 1345.11 Effect of Good faith error; receiver for supplier; suspension or revocation of license 1345.12 Exceptions to application of chapter 1345.13 Effect on other remedies 1345.01 Definitions. As used in sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code: (A) "Consumer transaction" means a sale, lease, assignment, award by chance, or other transfer of an item of goods, a service, a franchise, or an intangible, to an individual for purposes that are primarily personal, family, or household, or solicitation to supply any of these things. "Consumer transaction" does not include transactions between persons, defined in sections 4905.03 and 5725.01 of the Revised Code, and their customers; transactions between certified public accountants or public accountants and their clients; transactions between attorneys, physicians, or dentists and their clients or patients; and transactions between veterinarians and their patients that pertain to medical treatment but not ancillary services. (B) "Person" includes an individual, corporation, government, governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, cooperative, or other legal entity. (C) "Supplier" means a seller, lessor, assignor, franchisor, or other person engaged in the business of effecting or soliciting consumer transactions, whether or not the person deals directly with the consumer. (D) "Consumer" means a person who engages in a consumer transaction with a supplier. (E) "Knowledge" means actual awareness, but such actual awareness may be inferred

where objective manifestations indicate that the individual involved acted with such awareness. (F) "Natural gas service" means the sale of natural gas, exclusive of any distribution or ancillary service. (G) "Public telecommunications service" means the transmission by electromagnetic or other means, other than by a telephone company as defined in section 4927.01 of the Revised Code, of signs, signals, writings, images, sounds, messages, or data originating in this state regardless of actual call routing. "Public telecommunications service" excludes a system, including its construction, maintenance, or operation, for the provision of telecommunications service, or any portion of such service, by any entity for the sole and exclusive use of that entity, its parent, a subsidiary, or an affiliated entity, and not for resale, directly or indirectly; the provision of terminal equipment used to originate telecommunications service; broadcast transmission by radio, television, or satellite broadcast stations regulated by the federal government; or cable television service. 1345.02 Unfair or deceptive consumer sales practices prohibited. (A) No supplier shall commit an unfair or deceptive act or practice in connection with a consumer transaction. Such an unfair or deceptive act or practice by a supplier violates this section whether it occurs before, during, or after the transaction. (B) Without limiting the scope of division (A) of this section, the act or practice of a supplier in representing any of the following is deceptive: (1) That the subject of a consumer transaction has sponsorship, approval, performance characteristics, accessories, uses, or benefits that it does not have; (2) That the subject of a consumer transaction is of a particular standard, quality, grade, style, prescription, or model, if it is not; (3) That the subject of a consumer transaction is new, or unused, if it is not; (4) That the subject of a consumer transaction is available to the consumer for a reason that does not exist; (5) That the subject of a consumer transaction has been supplied in accordance with a previous representation, if it has not, except that the act of a supplier in furnishing similar merchandise of equal or greater value as a good faith substitute does not violate this section; (6) That the subject of a consumer transaction will be supplied in greater quantity than the supplier intends; (7) That replacement or repair is needed, if it is not; (8) That a specific price advantage exists, if it does not; (9) That the supplier has a sponsorship, approval, or affiliation that the supplier does not have; (10) That a consumer transaction involves or does not involve a warranty, a disclaimer of warranties or other rights, remedies, or obligations if the representation is false. (C) In construing division (A) of this section, the court shall give due consideration and great weight to federal trade commission orders, trade regulation rules and guides, and the federal courts' interpretations of subsection 45(a)(1) of the "Federal Trade Commission Act," 38 Stat. 717 (1914), 15 U.S.C.A. 41, as amended.

(D) No supplier shall offer to a consumer or represent that a consumer will receive a rebate, discount, or other benefit as an inducement for entering into a consumer transaction in return for giving the supplier the names of prospective consumers, or otherwise helping the supplier to enter into other consumer transactions, if earning the benefit is contingent upon an event occurring after the consumer enters into the transaction. (E)(1) No supplier, in connection with a consumer transaction involving natural gas service or public telecommunications service to a consumer in this state, shall request or submit, or cause to be requested or submitted, a change in the consumer's provider of natural gas service or public telecommunications service, without first obtaining, or causing to be obtained, the verified consent of the consumer. For the purpose of this division and with respect to public telecommunications service only, the procedures necessary for verifying the consent of a consumer shall be those prescribed by rule by the public utilities commission for public telecommunications service under division (D) of section 4905.72 of the Revised Code. Also, for the purpose of this division, the act, omission, or failure of any officer, agent, or other individual, acting for or employed by another person, while acting within the scope of that authority or employment, is the act or failure of that other person. (2) Consistent with the exclusion, under 47 C.F.R. 64.1100(a)(3), of commercial mobile radio service providers from the verification requirements adopted in 47 C.F.R. 64.1100, 64.1150, 64.1160, 64.1170, 64.1180, and 64.1190 by the federal communications commission, division (E)(1) of this section does not apply to a provider of commercial mobile radio service insofar as such provider is engaged in the provision of commercial mobile radio service. However, when that exclusion no longer is in effect, division (E)(1) of this section shall apply to such a provider. (3) The attorney general may initiate criminal proceedings for a prosecution under division (C) of section 1345.99 of the Revised Code by presenting evidence of criminal violations to the prosecuting attorney of any county in which the offense may be prosecuted. If the prosecuting attorney does not prosecute the violations, or at the request of the prosecuting attorney, the attorney general may proceed in the prosecution with all the rights, privileges, and powers conferred by law on prosecuting attorneys, including the power to appear before grand juries and to interrogate witnesses before grand juries. 1345.03 Unconscionable consumer sales practices. (A) No supplier shall commit an unconscionable act or practice in connection with a consumer transaction. Such an unconscionable act or practice by a supplier violates this section whether it occurs before, during, or after the transaction. (B) In determining whether an act or practice is unconscionable, the following circumstances shall be taken into consideration: (1) Whether the supplier has knowingly taken advantage of the inability of the consumer reasonably to protect his interests because of his physical or mental infirmities, ignorance, illiteracy, or inability to understand the language of an agreement; (2) Whether the supplier knew at the time the consumer transaction was entered into that the price was substantially in excess of the price at which similar property or services were readily obtainable in similar consumer transactions by like consumers; (3) Whether the supplier knew at the time the consumer transaction was entered into of the inability of the consumer to receive a substantial benefit from the subject of the

consumer transaction; (4) Whether the supplier knew at the time the consumer transaction was entered into that there was no reasonable probability of payment of the obligation in full by the consumer; (5) Whether the supplier required the consumer to enter into a consumer transaction on terms the supplier knew were substantially one-sided in favor of the supplier; (6) Whether the supplier knowingly made a misleading statement of opinion on which the consumer was likely to rely to his detriment; (7) Whether the supplier has, without justification, refused to make a refund in cash or by check for a returned item that was purchased with cash or by check, unless the supplier had conspicuously posted in the establishment at the time of the sale a sign stating the supplier's refund policy. 1345.09 Private remedies. For a violation of Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code, a consumer has a cause of action and is entitled to relief as follows: (A) Where the violation was an act prohibited by section 1345.02 or 1345.03 of the Revised Code, the consumer may, in an individual action, rescind the transaction or recover his damages. (B) Where the violation was an act or practice declared to be deceptive or unconscionable by rule adopted under division (B)(2) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code before the consumer transaction on which the action is based, or an act or practice determined by a court of this state to violate section 1345.02 or 1345.03 of the Revised Code and committed after the decision containing the determination has been made available for public inspection under division (A)(3) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code, the consumer may rescind the transaction or recover, but not in a class action, three times the amount of his actual damages or two hundred dollars, whichever is greater, or recover damages or other appropriate relief in a class action under Civil Rule 23, as amended. (C) In any action for rescission, revocation of the consumer transaction must occur within a reasonable time after the consumer discovers or should have discovered the ground for it and before any substantial change in condition of the subject of the consumer transaction. (D) Any consumer may seek a declaratory judgment, an injunction, or other appropriate relief against an act or practice that violates this chapter. (E) When a consumer commences an individual action for a declaratory judgment or an injunction or a class action under this section, the clerk of court shall immediately mail a copy of the complaint to the attorney general. Upon timely application, the attorney general may be permitted to intervene in any private action or appeal pending under this section. When a judgment under this section becomes final, the clerk of court shall mail a copy of the judgment including supporting opinions to the attorney general for inclusion in the public file maintained under division (A)(3) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code. (F) The court may award to the prevailing party a reasonable attorney's fee limited to the work reasonably performed, if either of the following apply:

(1) The consumer complaining of the act or practice that violated this chapter has brought or maintained an action that is groundless, and the consumer filed or maintained the action in bad faith; (2) The supplier has knowingly committed an act or practice that violates this chapter. 1345.11 Effect of Good faith error; receiver for supplier; suspension or revocation of license. (A) In any case arising under Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code, if a supplier shows by a preponderance of the evidence that a violation resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adopted to avoid the error, no civil penalties shall be imposed against the supplier under division (D) of section 1345.07 of the Revised Code, no party shall be awarded attorney's fees, and monetary recovery shall not exceed the amount of actual damages resulting from the violation. (B) If a supplier shows by a preponderance of the evidence that a violation was an act or practice required or specifically permitted by federal trade commission orders, trade regulation rules and guides, or the federal courts' interpretations of subsection 45(a)(1) of the "Federal Trade Commission Act," 38 Stat. 717 (1914), 15 U.S.C. 41, as amended, and that the act or practice was not otherwise declared to be unfair, deceptive, of unconscionable by a rule adopted pursuant to division (B)(2) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code before the consumer transaction on which the action is based, and: (1) If the case arises under section 1345.07 of the Revised Code, the attorney general is limited to injunctive relief as the only remedy against the supplier for that violation; or (2) If the case arises under section 1345.09 of the Revised Code, the supplier is not subject to any liability or penalty for the violation. (C) A receiver may be appointed by the court in an action under section 1345.07 of the Revised Code, if it is shown that the assets of the supplier are in danger of being lost, removed, injured, or dissipated. A receiver may, under the direction of the court, do all of the following: (1) Sue for, collect, receive, and take into his possession all the goods, chattels, rights, credits, moneys, effects, lands, tenements, books, records documents, papers, choses in action, bills, notes, and other property and assets of every kind and description acquired by any act or practice prohibited by this chapter, including property with which such property has been commingled if it cannot be identified in kind because of commingling; (2) Sell, convey, and assign all property taken into his possession, and hold and dispose of the proceeds; (3) Perform any other acts respecting the property that the court authorizes. Any person who has suffered damages as a result of the use of any act or practice prohibited by this chapter and who submits proof to the satisfaction of the court that he has in fact been damaged, may participate with general creditors in the distribution of the assets to the extent he has sustained out-of-pocket losses. (D) If a court determines after a hearing in any action brought pursuant to section 1345.07 of the Revised Code that a supplier in the course of performing activity under any license or permit issued by the state or a political subdivision or agency of the state, engaged in a practice that violates this chapter, the attorney general may, within sixty days after the time for appealing has expired, send a certified copy of the court's final judgment and supporting opinion to the issuing authority. Upon receipt of the court's

judgment and opinion, the issuing authority shall promptly investigate to determine whether to institute proceedings to revoke or suspend the supplier's license or permit. The court's judgment, findings of fact, and conclusions of law shall be binding upon the issuing authority when it conducts its investigation. The issuing authority shall report its decision or action to the attorney general within twenty days of the conclusion of the issuing authority's investigation. If the issuing authority institutes proceedings to revoke or suspend the supplier's license or permit, it shall report its decision to the attorney general within twenty days of the conclusion of the issuing authority's proceedings. 1345.12 Exceptions to application of chapter. Sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code do not apply to: (A) An act or practice required or specifically permitted by or under federal law, or by or under other sections of the Revised Code, except as provided in division (B) of section 1345.11 of the Revised Code; (B) A publisher, broadcaster, printer, or other person engaged in the dissemination of information or the reproduction of printed or pictorial matter insofar as the information or matter has been disseminated or reproduced on behalf of others without knowledge that it violated sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code; (C) Claims for personal injury or death. 1345.13 Effect on other remedies. The remedies in sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code, are in addition to remedies otherwise available for the same conduct under state or local law.

Deceptive Trades & Practices Act CHAPTER 4165: DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES

4165.01 Deceptive trade practices definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (A) Certification mark means a mark used in connection with the goods or services of a person other than the certifier to indicate geographic origin, material, mode of manufacture, quality, accuracy, or other characteristics of the goods or services or to indicate that the work or labor on the goods or services was performed by members of a union or other organization. (B) Collective mark means a mark used by members of a cooperative, association, or other collective group or organization to identify goods or services and distinguish them from those of others, or to indicate membership in the collective group or organization. (C) Mark means a word, name, symbol, device, or combination of a word, name, symbol, or device in any form or arrangement. (D) Person means an individual, corporation, government, governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, unincorporated association, limited liability company, two or more of any of the foregoing having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity. (E) Service mark means a mark used by a person to identify services and to distinguish them from the services of others. (F) Trademark means a mark used by a person to identify goods and to distinguish them from the goods of others. (G) Trade name means a word, name, symbol, device, or combination of a word, name, symbol, or device in any form or arrangement used by a person to identify the persons business, vocation, or occupation and distinguish it from the business, vocation, or occupation of others. (H) Directory assistance means the disclosure by an operator or an automated service, upon request by an individual and that individuals identification of a telephone service subscriber in some manner, of telephone number information pertaining to the identified telephone service subscriber. (I) Local telephone directory means a telephone classified advertising directory, or the business section of a telephone directory, that is distributed by a telephone company or a directory publisher to subscribers who are located in one or more local exchanges covered by the directory. Local telephone directory includes a telephone classified advertising directory, or the business section of a telephone directory, that includes listings of more than one telephone company.

(J) Local telephone number means a telephone number that has a three-number prefix that is used by a telephone company in connection with telephones that are physically located within an area covered by a local telephone directory in which the telephone number is listed. Local telephone number does not include long distance telephone numbers that are listed as long distance telephone numbers in a local telephone directory, or 800-, 888-, or 900- telephone numbers that are listed in a local telephone directory. (K) Telephone company has the same meaning as in section 4905.402 of the Revised Code. Effective Date: 03-30-1999

RC 4165.02 Deceptive trade practice actions.

(A) A person engages in a deceptive trade practice when, in the course of the persons business, vocation, or occupation, the person does any of the following: (1) Passes off goods or services as those of another; (2) Causes likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding as to the source, sponsorship, approval, or certification of goods or services; (3) Causes likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding as to affiliation, connection, or association with, or certification by, another; (4) Uses deceptive representations or designations of geographic origin in connection with goods or services; (5) Lists a fictitious business name in a local telephone directory that is published on or after the effective date of this amendment, in circumstances in which all of the following apply: (a) The persons fictitious business name is not registered as a trade name with, or its use as a fictitious name has not been reported to, the secretary of state under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. (b) The persons listed fictitious business name misrepresents the geographic location of the person, because that name includes a reference to a political subdivision or another geographic area of this state, the person does not have business premises in that political subdivision or other geographic area from which the person sells, leases, rents, or otherwise provides particular goods or services in this state, and the persons use of that name causes a likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding by consumers as to the geographic location with which the consumers are dealing in the purchase, lease, rental, or other provision of, or will be dealing in the resolution of problems that may arise in connection with, particular goods or services. (c) The local telephone directory listing of the persons fictitious business name does not identify the political subdivision and, if the person is not located in this state, the state in which are located the persons business premises with which consumers are dealing in the purchase, lease, rental, or other provision of, or will be dealing in the resolution of problems that may arise in connection with, particular goods or services.

(d) Telephone calls to the local telephone number listed for the persons fictitious business name routinely are forwarded or otherwise transferred to business premises of the person that are located outside the calling area covered by the local telephone directory. (6) Lists a fictitious business name in a directory assistance database on or after the effective date of this amendment, the circumstances described in divisions (A)(5)(a) and (b) of this section apply regarding the persons listed fictitious business name, and telephone calls to the local telephone number listed for the persons fictitious business name routinely are forwarded or otherwise transferred to business premises of the person that are located outside the local calling area; (7) Represents that goods or services have sponsorship, approval, characteristics, ingredients, uses, benefits, or quantities that they do not have or that a person has a sponsorship, approval, status, affiliation, or connection that the person does not have; (8) Represents that goods are original or new if they are deteriorated, altered, reconditioned, reclaimed, used, or secondhand; (9) Represents that goods or services are of a particular standard, quality, or grade, or that goods are of a particular style or model, if they are of another; (10) Disparages the goods, services, or business of another by false representation of fact; (11) Advertises goods or services with intent not to sell them as advertised; (12) Makes false statements of fact concerning the reasons for, existence of, or amounts of price reductions; (13) Advertises goods or services with intent not to supply reasonably expectable public demand, unless the advertisement discloses a limitation of quantity. (B) In order to prevail in a civil action under section 4165.03 of the Revised Code that seeks injunctive relief or an award of damages and that is based on one or more deceptive trade practices listed in division (A) of this section, a complainant need not prove competition between the parties to the civil action. (C) This section does not affect unfair trade practices that are otherwise actionable at common law or under other sections of the Revised Code. (D) A telephone company, provider of directory assistance, publisher of a local telephone directory, or officer, employee, or agent of the company, provider, or publisher shall not be liable in a civil action under section 4165.03 of the Revised Code for publishing in any directory or directory assistance database the listing of a fictitious business name of a person who commits a deceptive trade practice that is listed in division (A) of this section unless the telephone company, provider of directory assistance, publisher of a local telephone directory, or officer, employee, or agent of the company, provider, or publisher is the person who committed the deceptive trade practice listed in division (A) of this section.

Effective Date: 03-30-1999

RC 4165.03 Injunctive relief.

(A)(1) A person who is likely to be damaged by a person who commits a deceptive trade practice that is listed in division (A) of section 4165.02 of the Revised Code may commence a civil action for injunctive relief against the other person, and the court of common pleas involved in that action may grant injunctive relief based on the principles of equity and on the terms that the court considers reasonable. Proof of monetary damage or loss of profits is not required in a civil action commenced under division (A)(1) of this section. (2) A person who is injured by a person who commits a deceptive trade practice that is listed in division (A) of section 4165.02 of the Revised Code may commence a civil action to recover actual damages from the person who commits the deceptive trade practice. (B) The court may award in accordance with this division reasonable attorneys fees to the prevailing party in either type of civil action authorized by division (A) of this section. an award of attorneys fees may be assessed against a plaintiff if the court finds that the plaintiff knew the action to be groundless. An award of attorneys fees may be assessed against a defendant if the court finds that the defendant has willfully engaged in a trade practice listed in division (A) of section 4165.02 of the Revised Code knowing it to be deceptive. (C) The civil relief provided in this section is in addition to civil or criminal remedies otherwise available against the same conduct under the common law or other sections of the Revised Code. Effective Date: 03-30-1999

4165.04 Exceptions.
(A) This chapter does not apply to either of the following: (1) Conduct that is in compliance with the orders or rules of, or a statute administered by, a federal, state, or local governmental agency; (2) Publishers, broadcasters, printers, or other persons who are engaged in the dissemination of information or reproduction of printed or pictorial matter and who publish, broadcast, or reproduce material without knowledge of its deceptive character. (B) Divisions (A)(2) and (3) of section 4165.02 of the Revised Code do not apply to the use of a service mark, trademark, certification mark, collective mark, trade name, or other trade identification that was used and not abandoned before September 25, 1969, if the use was in good faith and otherwise is lawful except for this chapter. Effective Date: 03-30-1999

Top

Previous Ohio Judgments For Lack Of Standing

Judges; Rose S.D. Ohio Nov 2007, Boyko N.C. OH 31 Oct 2007 Holschuh N.D. OH 27 Dec 2007

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO, WESTERN DIVISION 521 F. Supp. 2d 650; 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84569

November 15, 2007, Decided November 15, 2007, Filed

JUDGES: THOMAS M. ROSE, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE CASE NO. 3:07CV043, 07CV049, 07CV085, 07CV138, 07CV237, 07CV240, 07CV246, 07CV248, 07CV257, 07CV286, 07CV304, 07CV312, 07CV317, 07CV343, 07CV353, 07CV360, 07CV386, 07CV389, 07CV390, 07CV433 ________________________________________________________________________ OPINION AND ORDER ________________________________________________________________________ The first private foreclosure action based upon federal diversity jurisdiction was filed in this Court on February 9, 2007. Since then, twenty-six (26) additional complaints for foreclosure based upon federal diversity jurisdiction have been filed. STANDING AND SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION While each of the complaints for foreclosure pleads standing and jurisdiction, evidence submitted either with the complaint or later in the case indicates that standing and/or subject matter jurisdiction may not have existed at the time certain of the foreclosure complaints were filed. Further, only one of these foreclosure complaints thus far was filed in compliance with this Courts General Order 07-03 captioned Procedures for Foreclosure Actions Based On Diversity Jurisdiction. Standing Federal courts have only the power authorized by Article III of the United States Constitution and the statutes enacted by Congress pursuant thereto. Bender v. Williamsport Area School District, 475 U.S. 534, 541 (1986). As a result, a plaintiff must have constitutional standing in order for a federal court to have jurisdiction. Id. Plaintiffs have the burden of establishing standing. Loren v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan, No. 06-2090, 2007 WL 2726704 at *7 (6th Cir. Sept. 20, 2007). If they cannot do so, their claims must be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Id. (citing Central States Southeast & Southwest Areas Health and Welfare Fund v. Merck-Medco Managed Care, 433 F.3d 181, 199 (2d Cir. 2005)). Because standing involves the federal courts subject matter jurisdiction, it can be raised sua sponte. Id. (citing Central States, 433 F.3d at 198). Further, standing is determined as of the time the complaint is filed. Cleveland Branch, NAACP v. City of Parma, Ohio, 263 F.3d 513, 524 (6th Cir. 2001), cert. denied, 535 U.S. 971 (2002). Finally, while a determination of standing

is generally based upon allegations in the complaint, when standing is questioned, courts may consider evidence thereof. See NAACP, 263 F.3d at 523-30; Senter v. General Motors, 532 F.2d 511 (6th Cir. 1976), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 870 (1976). To satisfy Article IIIs standing requirements, a plaintiff must show: (1) it has suffered an injury in fact that is concrete and particularized and actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical; (2) the injury is fairly traceable to the challenged action of the defendant; and (3) it is likely, as opposed to merely speculative, that the injury will be redressed by a favorable decision. Loren, 2007 WL 2726704 at *7. To show standing, then, in a foreclosure action, the plaintiff must show that it is the holder of the note and the mortgage at the time the complaint was filed. The foreclosure plaintiff must also show, at the time the foreclosure action is filed, that the holder of the note and mortgage is harmed, usually by not having received payments on the note. Diversity Jurisdiction In addition to standing, a court may address the issue of subject matter jurisdiction at any time, with or without the issue being raised by a party to the action. Community Health Plan of Ohio v. Mosser, 347 F.3d 619, 622 (6th Cir. 2003). Further, as with standing, the plaintiff must show that the federal court has subject matter jurisdiction over the foreclosure action at the time the foreclosure action was filed. Coyne v. American Tobacco Company, 183 F.3d 488, 492-93 (6th Cir. 1999). Also as with standing, a federal court is required to assure itself that it has subject matter jurisdiction and the burden is on the plaintiff to show that subject matter jurisdiction existed at the time the complaint was filed. Id. Finally, if subject matter jurisdiction is questioned by the court, the plaintiff cannot rely solely upon the allegations in the complaint and must bring forward relevant, adequate proof that establishes subject matter jurisdiction. Nelson Construction Co. v. U.S., No. 05-1205C, 2007 WL 3299161 at *3 (Fed. Cl., Oct. 29, 2007) (citing McNutt v. General Motors Acceptance Corp. of Indiana, 298 U.S. 178 (1936)); see also Nichols v. Muskingum College, 318 F.3d 674, (6th Cir. 2003) (in reviewing a 12(b)(1) motion, the court may consider evidence outside the pleadings to resolve factual disputes concerning jurisdiction). The foreclosure actions are brought to federal court based upon the federal court having jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1332, termed diversity jurisdiction. To invoke diversity jurisdiction, the plaintiff must show that there is complete diversity of citizenship of the parties and that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000. 28 U.S.C. 1332. Conclusion While the plaintiffs in each of the above-captioned cases have pled that they have standing and that this Court has subject matter jurisdiction, they have submitted evidence that indicates that they may not have had standing at the time the foreclosure complaint was filed and that subject matter jurisdiction may not have existed when the foreclosure complaint was filed. Further, this Court has the responsibility to assure itself that the foreclosure plaintiffs have standing and that subject-matter-jurisdiction requirements are met at the time the complaint is filed. Even without the concerns raised by the documents the plaintiffs have filed, there is reason to question the existence of standing and the jurisdictional amount. See Katherine M. Porter, Misbehavior and Mistake in Bankruptcy

Mortgage Claims 3-4 (November 6, 2007), University of Iowa College of Law Legal Studies Research Paper Series Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract-1027961 ([H]ome mortgage lenders often disobey the law and overreach in calculating the mortgage obligations of consumers. Many of the overcharges and unreliable calculations raise the specter of poor recordkeeping, failure to comply with consumer protection laws, and massive, consistent overcharging.) Therefore, plaintiffs are given until not later than thirty days following entry of this order to submit evidence showing that they had standing in the above-captioned cases when the complaint was filed. Failure to do so will result in dismissal without prejudice to refiling if and when the plaintiff acquires standing and the diversity jurisdiction requirements are met. See In re Foreclosure Cases, No. 1:07CV2282, et al., slip op. (N.D. Ohio Oct. 31, 2007) (Boyko, J.) COMPLIANCE WITH GENERAL ORDER 07-03 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 83(a)(2) provides that a local rule imposing a requirement of form shall not be enforced in a manner that causes a party to lose rights because of a nonwillful failure to comply with the requirement. Fed. R. Civ. P. 83(a)(2). The Court recognizes that a local rule concerning what documents are to be filed with a certain type of complaint is a rule of form. Hicks v. Miller Brewing Company, 2002 WL 663703 (5th Cir. 2002). However, a party may be denied rights as a sanction if failure to comply with such a local rule is willful. Id. General Order 07-03 provides procedures for foreclosure actions that are based upon diversity jurisdiction. Included in this General Order is a list of items that must accompany the Complaint.1 Among the items listed are: a Preliminary Judicial Report; a written payment history verified by the plaintiffs affidavit that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000; a legible copy of the promissory note and any loan modifications, a recorded copy of the mortgage; any applicable assignments of the mortgage, an affidavit documenting that the named plaintiff is the owner and holder of the note and mortgage; and a corporate disclosure statement. In general, it is from these items and the foreclosure complaint that the Court can confirm standing and the
1The Court views the statement the complaint must be accompanied by the following to mean that the items listed must be filed with the complaint and not at some time later that is more convenient for the plaintiff.

existence of diversity jurisdiction at the time the foreclosure complaint is filed. Conclusion To date, twenty-six (26) of the twenty-seven (27) foreclosure actions based upon diversity jurisdiction pending before this Court were filed by the same attorney. One of the twenty-six (26) foreclosure actions was filed in compliance with General Order 0703. The remainder were not.2 Also, many of these foreclosure complaints are notated on the docket to indicate that they are not in compliance. Finally, the attorney who has filed the twenty-six (26) foreclosure complaints has informed the Court on the record that he knows and can comply with the filing requirements found in General Order 07-03. Therefore, since the attorney who has filed twenty-six (26) of the twenty-seven (27) foreclosure actions based upon diversity jurisdiction that are currently before this Court is

well aware of the requirements of General Order 07-03 and can comply with the General Orders filing requirements, failure in the future by this attorney to comply with the filing requirements of General Order 07-03 may only be considered to be willful. Also, due to the extensive discussions and argument that has taken place, failure to comply with the requirements of the General Order beyond the filing requirements by this attorney may also be considered to be willful. A willful failure to comply with General Order 07-03 in the future by the attorney who filed the twenty-six foreclosure actions now pending may result in immediate dismissal of the
2The Sixth Circuit may look to an attorneys actions in other cases to determine the extent of his or her good faith in a particular action. See Capital Indemnity Corp. v. Jellinick, 75 F. Appx 999, 1002 (6th Cir. 2003). Further, the law holds a plaintiff accountable for the acts and omissions of [its] chosen counsel. Pioneer Inv. Services Co. v. Brunswick Associates Ltd. Partnership, 507 U.S. 380, 397 (1993).

foreclosure action. Further, the attorney who filed the twenty-seventh foreclosure action is hereby put on notice that failure to comply with General Order 07-03 in the future may result in immediate dismissal of the foreclosure action. This Court is well aware that entities who hold valid notes are entitled to receive timely payments in accordance with the notes. And, if they do not receive timely payments, the entities have the right to seek foreclosure on the accompanying mortgages. However, with regard the enforcement of standing and other jurisdictional requirements pertaining to foreclosure actions, this Court is in full agreement with Judge Christopher A Boyko of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio who recently stressed that the judicial integrity of the United States District Court is Priceless. DONE and ORDERED in Dayton, Ohio, this Fifteenth day of November, 2007. s/Thomas M. Rose ____________________________________ THOMAS M. ROSE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE **************************************************** PROCEDURAL POSTURE: Twenty-seven private foreclosure actions based upon federal diversity jurisdiction were filed in the court. While each of the complaints for foreclosure pled standing and jurisdiction, evidence submitted either with the complaint or later in the case indicated that standing and/or subject matter jurisdiction may not have existed at the time certain of the foreclosure complaints were filed. OVERVIEW: The court noted it responsibility to assure itself that plaintiff mortgage and note holders in each of the foreclosure cases had standing and that subject-matterjurisdiction requirements were met at the time the complaint is filed. Even without the concerns raised by the documents the holders had filed, the court held that there was reason to question the existence of standing and the jurisdictional amount. Twenty-six of the 27 foreclosure actions based upon diversity jurisdiction pending before the court were filed by the same attorney. One of the 26 foreclosure actions filed by that attorney was

filed in compliance with S.D. Ohio Gen. Ord. 07-03 which provided procedures for foreclosure actions based upon diversity jurisdiction. The remaining 25 cases were not. LexisNexis(R) Headnotes Constitutional Law > The Judiciary > Case or Controversy > Standing > General Overview [HN1] Federal courts have only the power authorized by U.S. Const. art. III and the statutes enacted by Congress pursuant thereto. As a result, a plaintiff must have constitutional standing in order for a federal court to have jurisdiction. Civil Procedure > Justiciability > Standing > Burdens of Proof Constitutional Law > The Judiciary > Case or Controversy > Standing > General Overview [HN2] Plaintiffs have the burden of establishing standing. If they cannot do so, their claims must be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Civil Procedure > Justiciability > Standing > General Overview Constitutional Law > The Judiciary > Case or Controversy > Standing > General Overview [HN3] Because standing involves the federal court's subject matter jurisdiction, it can be raised sua sponte. Further, standing is determined as of the time the complaint is filed. Finally, while a determination of standing is generally based upon allegations in the complaint, when standing is questioned, courts may consider evidence thereof. Constitutional Law > The Judiciary > Case or Controversy > Standing > Elements [HN4] To satisfy U.S. Const. art. III's standing requirements, a plaintiff must show: (1) it has suffered an injury in fact that is concrete and particularized and actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical; (2) the injury is fairly traceable to the challenged action of the defendant; and (3) it is likely, as opposed to merely speculative, that the injury will be redressed by a favorable decision. Civil Procedure > Justiciability > Standing > Burdens of Proof Constitutional Law > The Judiciary > Case or Controversy > Standing > Elements Real Property Law > Financing > Mortgages & Other Security Instruments > Foreclosures > General Overview [HN5] To show standing, in a foreclosure action, a plaintiff must show that it is the holder of the note and the mortgage at the time the complaint was filed. The foreclosure plaintiff must also show, at the time the foreclosure action is filed, that the holder of the note and mortgage is harmed, usually by not having received payments on the note. Civil Procedure > Jurisdiction > Diversity Jurisdiction > General Overview Constitutional Law > The Judiciary > Jurisdiction > Diversity Evidence > Procedural Considerations > Burdens of Proof > Allocation Real Property Law > Financing > Mortgages & Other Security Instruments > Foreclosures > General Overview [HN6] A court may address the issue of subject matter jurisdiction at any time, with or without the issue being raised by a party to the action. Further, the plaintiff must show that the federal court has subject matter jurisdiction over the foreclosure action at the time the foreclosure action was filed. A federal court is required to assure itself that it has

subject matter jurisdiction and the burden is on the plaintiff to show that subject matter jurisdiction existed at the time the complaint was filed. Finally, if subject matter jurisdiction is questioned by the court, the plaintiff cannot rely solely upon the allegations in the complaint and must bring forward relevant, adequate proof that establishes subject matter jurisdiction

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO, EASTERN DIVISION 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 84011

October 31, 2007, Decided October 31, 2007, Filed

JUDGES: CHRISTOPHER A. BOYKO, United States District Judge. CASE NO. NO.1:07CV2282, 07CV2532, 07CV2560, 07CV2602, 07CV2631, 07CV2638, 07CV2681, 07CV2695, 07CV2920, 07CV2930, 07CV2949, 07CV2950, 07CV3000, 07CV3029 On October 10, 2007, this Court issued an Order requiring Plaintiff-Lenders in a number of pending foreclosure cases to file a copy of the executed Assignment demonstrating Plaintiff was the holder and owner of the Note and Mortgage as of the date the Complaint was filed, or the Court would enter a dismissal. After considering the submissions, along with all the documents filed of record, the Court dismisses the captioned cases without prejudice. The Court has reached todays determination after a thorough review of all the relevant law and the briefs and arguments recently presented by the parties, including oral arguments heard on Plaintiff Deutsche Banks Motion for Reconsideration. The decision, therefore, is applicable from this date forward, and shall not have retroactive effect. LAW AND ANALYSIS A party seeking to bring a case into federal court on grounds of diversity carries the burden of establishing diversity jurisdiction. Coyne v. American Tobacco Company, 183 F. 3d 488 (6th Cir. 1999). Further, the plaintiff "bears the burden of demonstrating standing and must plead its components with specificity." Coyne, 183 F. 3d at 494; Valley Forge Christian College v. Americans United for Separation of Church & State, Inc., 454 U.S. 464, 102 S. Ct. 752, 70 L. Ed. 2d 700 (1982). The minimum constitutional requirements for standing are: proof of injury in fact, causation, and redressability. Valley Forge, 454 U.S. at 472. In addition, "the plaintiff must be a proper proponent, and the action a proper vehicle, to vindicate the rights asserted." Coyne, 183 F. 3d at 494 (quoting Pestrak v. Ohio Elections Comm'n, 926 F. 2d 573, 576 (6th Cir. 1991)). To satisfy the requirements of Article III of the United States Constitution, the plaintiff must show he has personally suffered some actual injury as a result [*3] of the illegal conduct of the defendant. (Emphasis added). Coyne, 183 F. 3d at 494; Valley Forge, 454 U.S. at 472. In each of the above-captioned Complaints, the named Plaintiff alleges it is the holder and owner of the Note and Mortgage. However, the attached Note and Mortgage identify the mortgagee and promisee as the original lending institution -- one other than the named Plaintiff. Further, the Preliminary Judicial Report attached as an exhibit to the Complaint makes no reference to the named Plaintiff in the recorded chain of title/interest. The Court's Amended General Order No. 2006-16 requires Plaintiff to submit an affidavit along with the Complaint, which identifies Plaintiff either as the original mortgage holder, or as an assignee, trustee or successor-in-interest. Once again,

the affidavits submitted in all these cases recite the averment that Plaintiff is the owner of the Note and Mortgage, without any mention of an assignment or trust or successor interest. Consequently, the very filings and submissions of the Plaintiff create a conflict. In every instance, then, Plaintiff has not satisfied its burden of demonstrating standing at the time of the filing of the Complaint. Understandably, [*4] the Court requested clarification by requiring each Plaintiff to submit a copy of the Assignment of the Note and Mortgage, executed as of the date of the Foreclosure Complaint. In the above-captioned cases, none of the Assignments show the named Plaintiff to be the owner of the rights, title and interest under the Mortgage at issue as of the date of the Foreclosure Complaint. The Assignments, in every instance, express a present intent to convey all rights, title and interest in the Mortgage and the accompanying Note to the Plaintiff named in the caption of the Foreclosure Complaint upon receipt of sufficient consideration on the date the Assignment was signed and notarized. Further, the Assignment documents are all prepared by counsel for the named Plaintiffs. These proffered documents belie Plaintiffs' assertion they own the Note and Mortgage by means of a purchase which pre-dated the Complaint by days, months or years. Plaintiff-Lenders shall take note, furthermore, that prior to the issuance of its October 10, 2007 Order, the Court considered the principles of "real party in interest," and examined Fed. R. Civ. P. 17 -- "Parties Plaintiff and Defendant; Capacity" and its associated [*5] Commentary. The Rule is not apropos to the situation raised by these Foreclosure Complaints. The Rule's Commentary offers this explanation: "The provision should not be misunderstood or distorted. It is intended to prevent forfeiture when determination of the proper party to sue is difficult or when an understandable mistake has been made. ... It is, in cases of this sort, intended to insure against forfeiture and injustice ..." Plaintiff-Lenders do not allege mistake or that a party cannot be identified. Nor will Plaintiff-Lenders suffer forfeiture or injustice by the dismissal of these defective complaints otherwise than on the merits. Moreover, this Court is obligated to carefully scrutinize all filings and pleadings in foreclosure actions, since the unique nature of real property requires contracts and transactions concerning real property to be in writing. R.C. 1335.04. Ohio law holds that when a mortgage is assigned, moreover, the assignment is subject to the recording requirements of R.C. 5301.25. Creager v. Anderson (1934), 16 Ohio Law Abs. 400 (interpreting the former statute, G.C. 8543). "Thus, with regards to real property, before an entity assigned an interest in that [*6] property would be entitled to receive a distribution from the sale of the property, their interest therein must have been recorded in accordance with Ohio law." In re Ochmanek, 266 B.R. 114, 120 (Bkrtcy.N.D. Ohio 2000) (citing Pinney v. Merchants' National Bank of Defiance, 71 Ohio St. 173, 177, 72 N.E. 884, 2 Ohio L. Rep. 342 (1904). 1
1 Astoundingly, counsel at oral argument stated that his client, the purchaser from the original mortgagee, acquired complete legal and equitable interest in land when money changed hands, even before the purchase agreement, let alone a proper assignment, made its way into his client's possession.

This Court acknowledges the right of banks, holding valid mortgages, to receive timely payments. And, if they do not receive timely payments, banks have the right to properly file actions on the defaulted notes -- seeking foreclosure on the property securing the notes. Yet, this Court possesses the independent obligations to preserve the

judicial integrity of the federal court and to jealously guard federal jurisdiction. Neither the fluidity of the secondary mortgage market, nor monetary or economic considerations of the parties, nor the convenience of the litigants supersede those obligations. Despite [*7] Plaintiffs' counsel's belief that "there appears to be some level of disagreement and/or misunderstanding amongst professionals, borrowers, attorneys and members of the judiciary," the Court does not require instruction and is not operating under any misapprehension. The "real party in interest" rule, to which the PlaintiffLenders continually refer in their responses or motions, is clearly comprehended by the Court and is not intended to assist banks in avoiding traditional federal diversity requirements. 2 Unlike Ohio State law and procedure, as Plaintiffs perceive it, the federal judicial system need not, and will not, be "forgiving in this regard." 3
2 Plaintiff's reliance on Ohio's "real party in interest rule" (ORCP 17) and on any Ohio case citations is misplaced. Although Ohio law guides federal courts on substantive issues, state procedural law cannot be used to explain, modify or contradict a federal rule of procedure, which purpose is clearly spelled out in the Commentary. "In federal diversity actions, state law governs substantive issues and federal law governs procedural issues." Erie R.R. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 58 S. Ct. 817, 82 L. Ed. 2d 1188 (1938); Legg v. Chopra, 286 F. 3d 286, 289 (6th Cir. 2002); [*8] Gafford v. General Electric Company, 997 F. 2d 150, 165-6 (6th Cir. 1993). 3 Plaintiff's, "Judge, you just don't understand how things work," argument reveals a condescending mindset and quasi monopolistic system where financial institutions have traditionally controlled, and still control, the foreclosure process. Typically, the homeowner who finds himself/herself in financial straits, fails to make the required mortgage payments and faces a foreclosure suit, is not interested in testing state or federal jurisdictional requirements, either pro se or through counsel. Their focus is either, "how do I save my home," or "if I have to give it up, I'll simply leave and find somewhere el se to live." In the meantime, the financial institutions or successors/assignees rush to foreclose, obtain a default judgment and then sit on the deed, avoiding responsibility for maintaining the property while reaping the financial benefits of interest running on a judgment. The financial institutions know the law charges the one with title (still the homeowner) with maintaining the property. There is no doubt every decision made by a financial institution in the foreclosure process is driven by money. And the [*9] legal work which flows from winning the financial institution's favor is highly lucrative. There is nothing improper or wrong with financial institutions or law firms making a profit -- to the contrary , they should be rewarded for sound business and legal practices. However, unchallenged by underfinanced opponents, the institutions worry less about jurisdictional requirements and more about maximizing returns. Unlike the focus of financial institutions, the federal courts must act as gatekeepers, assuring that only those who meet diversity and standing requirements are allowed to pass through. Counsel for the institutions are not without legal argument to support their position, but their arguments fall woefully short of justifying their premature filings, and utterly fail to satisfy their standing and jurisdictional burdens. The institutions seem to adopt the attitude that since they have been doing this for so long, unchallenged, this practice equates with legal compliance. Finally put to the test, their weak legal arguments compel the Court to stop them at the gate. The Court will illustrate in simple terms its decision: "Fluidity of the market" -- "X" dollars, "contractual arrangements [*10] between institutions and counsel" -- "X" dollars, "purchasing mortgages in bulk and securitizing" -- "X" dollars, "rush to file, slow to record after judgment" -- "X" dollars, "the jurisdictional integrity of United States District Court" -"Priceless."

CONCLUSION For all the foregoing reasons, the above-captioned Foreclosure Complaints are dismissed without prejudice. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATE: October 31, 2007 S/Christopher A. Boyko CHRISTOPHER A. BOYKO United States District Judge

2008-Ohio-1177 [Cite as DLJ Mtge. Capital, Inc. v. Parsons, 2008-Ohio-1177] DLJ MORTGAGE CAPITAL, INC., PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,

v.

ELMER L. PARSONS, ET AL., DEFENDANTS-APPELLANTS. CASE NO. 07-MA-17 7th District Court of Appeals of Ohio, Mahoning County Decided on March 13, 2008

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS: Civil Appeal from Court of Common Pleas of Mahoning County, Ohio Case No. 2006CV1481 JUDGMENT: Reversed and Remanded APPEARANCES: For Plaintiff-Appellee Attorney Angela D. Marshall, Manley, Deas, Kochalski, LLC P.O. Box 165028 Columbus, Ohio 43215-5028 For Defendants-Appellants Attorney John D. Falgiani, Jr. Elmer L. Parsons 154 Youngstown-Hubbard Road, Bonnie L. Parsons Suite D Hubbard, Ohio 44425 JUDGES: Hon. Gene Donofrio, Hon. Joseph J. Vukovich, Hon. Mary DeGenaro OPINION DONOFRIO, J. 1 Defendants-appellants, Elmer and Bonnie Parsons, appeal from a Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judgment granting summary judgment on the residential foreclosure complaint of plaintiff-appellee, DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc. 2 On April 18, 2006, appellee filed a foreclosure complaint against appellants. The complaint alleged that appellants were in default on their promissory note secured by a mortgage on their residence on Read Street in Lowellville. The complaint alleged a balance of $64,530.23, plus 9.9 percent interest from March 1, 2003, late charges, advances for taxes and insurance, and all other expenditures recoverable. Attached to the complaint were copies of the promissory note and mortgage. From these documents, it is

apparent that The CIT Group/Consumer Finance, Inc. (CIT) issued the promissory note and mortgage on February 22, 2001. 3 On August 22, 2006, appellee moved for summary judgment seeking a finding of default on the promissory note and a decree of foreclosure. Appellee stated that since appellants defaulted on the loan, they were entitled to acceleration of the loan and foreclosure. Attached to the motion for summary judgment was an affidavit regarding the account from Jon Menz, an employee of Fidelity National Foreclosure & Bankruptcy Solutions (FNF) and an officer of Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc. FNF provides mortgage and foreclosure related services to appellee. In addition, FNF maintains the records pertaining to this account. The affidavit stated that appellee is the holder of the note and mortgage referenced in the complaint. No other evidence was submitted regarding an assignment of the mortgage to appellee. 4 Appellants filed a response asserting that appellee is not the real party in interest. Appellants attached Mrs. Parsons' affidavit in support. Mrs. Parsons stated that payments made by appellants were not reflected in the payment history/account evidence submitted by appellee and that the monthly mortgage payments exceed the amount shown on the original note and mortgage. In addition, appellants argued that appellee could not show a chain of title establishing it as the holder of the note and mortgage in question. 5 On November 22, 2006, the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of appellee and issued a decree of foreclosure. However, the judgment was not delivered to the parties at this time. 6 On November 24, appellee filed a motion for extension of time to reply to appellants' response to summary judgment, which the court granted on December 13, 2006. 7 A review of the docket reveals that the clerk of courts did not serve a copy of the court's summary judgment entry to appellee's counsel until December 27, 2006, and did not serve appellants' counsel with a copy until January 4, 2007. 8 9 Appellants filed a timely notice of appeal on January 29, 2007. Appellants raise one assignment of error, which states:

10 "IN A FORECLOSURE ACTION, THE TRIAL COURT ERRS BY GRANTING SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF PLAINTIFF WHERE THERE EXISTS A GENIUNE ISSUE OF MATERIAL FACT REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT PLAINTIFF IS THE HOLDER OF THE NOTE AND MORTGAGE THAT IS THE SUBJECT OF THE COMPLAINT." 11 Appellants argue that the mortgage in question was assigned twice and that the current holder of record is "U.S. Mortgage, 5825 West Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV." Appellants contend that the titled assignee of the mortgage is not the same party listed as the plaintiff in this case. Therefore, appellants assert that there is a genuine issue of material fact concerning the identity of the real party in interest making summary judgment inappropriate.

12 Appellee contends that the mortgage was assigned after the initiation of the foreclosure action and that it is now the owner of the mortgage in question. Appellee argues that its late recording of the assignment does not create a genuine issue of material fact as to who the real party in interest is. 13 In reviewing an award of summary judgment, appellate courts must apply a de novo standard of review. Cole v. Am. Industries & Resources Corp. (1998), 128 Ohio App.3d 546, 552, 715 N.E.2d 1179. Thus, we shall apply the same test as the trial court in determining whether summary judgment was proper. Civ.R. 56(C) provides that the trial court shall render summary judgment if no genuine issue of material fact exists and when construing the evidence most strongly in favor of the nonmoving party, reasonable minds can only conclude that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. State ex rel. Parsons v. Flemming (1994), 68 Ohio St.3d 509, 511, 628 N.E.2d 1377. A "material fact" depends on the substantive law of the claim being litigated. Hoyt, Inc. v. Gordon & Assoc., Inc. (1995), 104 Ohio App.3d 598, 603, 662 N.E.2d 1088, citing Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc. (1986), 477 U.S. 242, 247-248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202. 14 Appellants rely on this court's decision in Washington Mut. Bank, F.A. v. Green, 156 Ohio App.3d 461, 806 N.E.2d 604, 2004-Ohio-1555, for support as this case is very similar. In that case, Linda Green entered into a note and mortgage with Check `n Go Mortgage Services. Green allegedly defaulted on the note. Washington Mutual filed a complaint of foreclosure against her. In its complaint, Washington Mutual stated that it was the current owner of the note and mortgage. Green filed a motion to dismiss, alleging a lack of evidence that Washington Mutual was the real party in interest. Washington Mutual then filed a motion for summary judgment and attached the affidavit of its vicepresident. In the affidavit, the vice-president stated that she had personal knowledge of the account, which was under her supervision, and that the account was in default. During the course of the proceedings, Green received correspondence from another institution that seemed to assert a right to the proceeds of the note and mortgage. However, the trial court granted Washington Mutual's motion for summary judgment. 15 On appeal, Green argued that the affidavit of Washington Mutual's vice-president, which merely stated that the account was under her supervision, failed to establish assignment of the mortgage and note to Washington Mutual. This court agreed. Relying on First Union Natl. Bank v. Hufford (2001), 146 Ohio App.3d 673, 767 N.E.2d 1206, we pointed out the following pertinent facts: (1) Green maintained throughout the proceedings that she did not believe Washington Mutual was the real party in interest; (2) Green submitted documents from the recorder's office showing assignment of the mortgage to two different companies and noted that she found no entries showing assignment to Washington Mutual; (3) Green began receiving notices from an entirely different entity seeking to collect on the mortgage; (4) Washington Mutual submitted an affidavit merely stating that the account was under the supervision of the affiant and the account was in default; and (5) the affidavit did not mention how, when, or whether Washington Mutual was assigned the mortgage and note. Washington Mut., at 31-32. 16 We noted that the First Union court held, "`Though inferences could have been drawn from this material, inferences are inappropriate, insufficient support for summary judgment and are contradictory to the fundamental mandate that evidence be construed most strongly in favor of the nonmoving party.'" Id. at 29, quoting First Union, at 21.

We further held that the trial court's grant of summary judgment and the denial of the right to file a third-party complaint exposed Green to multiple judgments on the same subject matter. Id. at 32. Thus, we concluded that summary judgment was not proper. 17 There are many similarities between this case and Washington Mutual. Specifically, appellants have stated throughout the proceedings that they do not believe appellee to be the party in interest. Additionally, documents from the recorder's office show that the mortgage and note were assigned to Olympus Servicing LP. There is no document, on the record, showing an assignment to appellee. The only evidence on the record of an assignment to appellee is the affidavit of Jon Menz. However, the affidavit fails to mention how, when, or whether appellee was assigned the mortgage and note. As in Washington Mutual and First Union, the evidence in this case likewise did not establish that appellee is the owner of the note and mortgage. 18 Attached to appellee's appellate brief is a copy of an assignment of the note and mortgage from Olympus Servicing LP to appellee. The file stamp on the assignment shows that it was recorded on February 22, 2007. But the trial court granted summary judgment on November 22, 2006. Although this assignment appears to establish appellee as the party in interest, there is no evidence of this assignment on the record. In fact, evidence of this assignment could not have existed at the time the court granted summary judgment because it had not yet occurred. Hence, it follows that the issue of whether appellee held a valid and secured lien after Olympus assigned the mortgage could not have been determined. Even if the assignment had occurred before the court entered summary judgment, the trial court had no evidence of such. Civ. R. 56(C) provides that: 19 "Summary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of evidence, and written stipulations of fact, if any, timely filed in the action, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. No evidence or stipulation may be considered except as stated in this rule." (Emphasis added). 20 The trial court should have denied summary judgment. A genuine issue of material fact existed as to whether or not appellee was the real party in interest since there was no evidence on the record of the assignment. Accordingly, appellant's first assignment of error has merit. 21 For the reasons stated above, the trial court's judgment is hereby reversed and the matter is remanded for further proceedings pursuant to law and consistent with this opinion. Vukovich, J., concurs. DeGenaro, P.J., concurs. OH OH Unpublished App.

[Cite as Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Byrd, 2008-Ohio-4603.] IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FIRST APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL : 070889 ASSOCIATION, ON BEHALF OF THE C-070890 CERTIFICATE HOLDERS OF : 0700643 MORGAN STANLEY ABS CAPITAL, IN TRUST 2005-WMC5 MORTGAGE : PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005 C/O COUNTRYWIDE : HOME LOANS, : Plaintiff-Appellant, and : THE LAW OFFICES OF JOHN D. CLUNK CO., LPA, : Appellant, : vs. : GLORIA BYRD : and : ELLSWORTH BYRD, : Defendants-Appellees, : and : AUDITOR OF HAMILTON COUNTY : and : TREASURER OF HAMILTON : COUNTY, Defendants. : -1OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS Civil Appeal From: Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Judgment Appealed From Is: Affirmed in Part as Modified in Part and Reversed in Part Date of Judgment Entry on Appeal: September 12, 2008 The Law Offices of John D. Clunk, Jason A. Whitacre, Michael L. Wiery, and Laura C. Landor, for Appellants, Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, Noel M. Morgan, and Elizabeth Tull, for Appellees. APPEAL NOS. CTRIAL NO. AO P I N I O N.

We have removed this case from the accelerated calendar. -2OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS DINKELACKER, Judge. Since plaintiff-appellant Wells Fargo was not a real party in interest at the time it filed suit in this foreclosure action, the trial court properly dismissed the case. But the dismissal should have been without prejudice. Further, the trial court lacked authority to sanction counsel by requiring counsel to adhere to additional pleading requirements in future cases. Putting the Cart Before the House On January 23, 2007, Wells Fargo filed a foreclosure action against defendants-appellees Gloria and Ellsworth Byrd. Wells Fargo claimed that it was "the holder and owner of a certain promissory note" and "the owner and holder of a certain mortgage deed, securing the payment of said note." But both the note and the mortgage identified in the complaint named WMC Mortgage Corp. as the lender. Wells Fargo filed a motion seeking summary judgment. Attached to the motion for summary judgment was an "Assignment of Note and Mortgage" that acknowledged that WMC had sold, assigned, transferred, and set over the mortgage deed and promissory note to Wells Fargo. The assignment was dated March 2, 2007--over a month after the complaint had been filed. The case was referred to a magistrate who entered summary judgment for Wells Fargo. The trial court sustained the Byrds' subsequent objections to that decision. The trial court then took two additional steps not requested by the Byrds: (1) it dismissed the case with prejudice, and (2) it ordered the law firm representing Wells Fargo, appellant Law Offices of John D. Clunk Co., LPA, to submit "proof that their client is, in fact, a real party in interest at the time of the filing" of any future foreclosure complaints that the firm might file. -3OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS Wells Fargo requested findings of fact and conclusions of law. In response, the trial court issued an entry titled "Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Amended Judgment Entry" in which it said that the dismissal was "not a dismissal on the merits." The trial court explained the Clunk firm's future obligations to the court by stating that "at the time of the filing of a foreclosure action, [the Clunk firm must] file documentation showing that their client is the real party in interest as of the date of the filing of the lawsuit." Both Wells Fargo and the Clunk firm have appealed. Wells Fargo argues that (1) the trial court erred in dismissing the case with prejudice on jurisdictional grounds; (2) the trial court erred in dismissing the case without notice; (3) the trial court should have adopted

the decision of the magistrate granting its motion for summary judgment; (4) the trial court misapplied Civ.R. 17; (5) the trial court lacked authority to convert its original dismissal with prejudice to a dismissal without prejudice; and (6) the trial court improperly used its subsequent entry to modify the substance of its prior decision. The Clunk firm argues, in two assignments of error, that the trial court improperly sanctioned it. The Dismissal Issue: To Dismiss or Not There is little case-law guidance on the issue whether Wells Fargo, which was clearly not a real party in interest when the suit was filed, could later have cured the defect by producing an after-acquired interest in the litigation. We hold that the defect could not have been cured in that way. Civ.R. 17(A) says that "[e]very action shall be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest. * * * No action shall be dismissed on the ground that it is not prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest until a reasonable time has -4OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS been allowed after objection for ratification of commencement of the action by, or joinder or substitution of, the real party in interest. Such ratification, joinder, or substitution shall have the same effect as if the action had been commenced in the name of the real party in interest." A party lacks standing to invoke the jurisdiction of a court unless he has, in an individual or a representative capacity, some real interest in the subject matter of the action.1 The Eleventh Appellate District has held that "Civ.R. 17 is not applicable when the plaintiff is not the proper party to bring the case and, thus, does not have standing to do so. A person lacking any right or interest to protect may not invoke the jurisdiction of a court."2 The court also noted that "Civ.R. 17(A) was not applicable unless the plaintiff had standing to invoke the jurisdiction of the court in the first place, either in an individual or representative capacity, with some real interest in the subject matter. Civ.R. 17 only applies if the action is commenced by one who is sui juris or the proper party to bring the action."3 The Twelfth Appellate District agrees. In 2007, the court held that "[t]he `real party in interest is generally considered to be the person who can discharge the claim on which the suit is brought * * * [or] is the party who, by substantive law, possesses the right to be enforced.' "4 Unless a party has some real interest in the subject matter of the action, that party will lack standing to invoke the jurisdiction of the court. The court concluded that, "[i]n a breach of contract claim, 1 State ex rel. Dallman v. Court of Common Pleas (1973), 35 Ohio St.2d 176, 298 N.E.2d 515, syllabus. 2 Northland Ins. Co. v. Illuminating Co., 11th Dist. Nos. 2002-A-0058 and 2002-A-0066, 2004- Ohio-1529, at 17 (internal quotations and citations omitted).

3 Travelers Indemn. Co. v. R. L. Smith Co. (Apr. 13, 2001), 11th Dist. No. 2000-L-014. 4 Discover Bank v. Brockmeier, 12th Dist. No. CA2006-07-078, 2007-Ohio-1552, at 7, citing In re Highland Holiday Subdivision (1971), 27 Ohio App.2d 237, 240, 273 N.E.2d 903. -5OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS only a party to the contract or an intended third-party beneficiary of the contract may bring an action on a contract in Ohio."5 Such a rule would seem to be in the spirit of Civ.R. 17, which only allows a plaintiff to cure a real-party-in-interest problem by (1) showing that the real party in interest has ratified the commencement of the action, or (2) joining or substituting the real party in interest.6 Since WMC was not joined or substituted in this case, the only argument Wells Fargo could have made was that WMC had ratified its actions. Ratification is a way that an agent can bind a principal.7 But ratification will not apply when the actor is not acting as the agent of the principal.8 In this case, Wells Fargo admitted to the trial court that it was not the real party in interest when the suit was filed. Wells Fargo filed suit on its own behalf and acquired the mortgage from WMC later. It was not acting as WMC's agent. There was no evidence that WMC had "ratified" the commencement of the action-- only that it had sold the mortgage to Wells Fargo. None of the documents indicated that WMC even knew about this case. For ratification to occur, the ratifying party must know what actions it is ratifying.9 While Wells Fargo repeatedly argued that ratification had occurred, it seemed to be confused as to which party had to ratify. Below, it argued that "Plaintiff, being a real party in interest, did ratify the 5 Id., citing Grant Thornton v. Windsor House, Inc. (1991), 57 Ohio St.3d 158, 161, 566 N.E.2d 1220. 6 Civ.R. 17(A). 7 See Morr v. Crouch (1969), 19 Ohio St.2d 24, 249 N.E.2d 780 8 See Alban Equipment Co. v. MPH Crane, Inc. (June 2, 1989), 4th Dist. No. 424 ("Ratification does not result from the affirmance of a transaction with a third person unless the one acting purported to be acting for the ratifier."), quoting 1 Restatement of the Law 2d, Agency (1958), 217, Section 85; see, also, Williams v. Stearns (1898), 59 Ohio St. 28. 9 See Lithograph Bldg. Co. v. Watt (1917), 96 Ohio St. 74, 85, 117 N.E. 25 (before the principal can be held to ratify the unauthorized acts of his agent, it must appear that he had knowledge of all material facts).

-6OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS commencement of this action * * * ." But Civ.R. 17 makes clear that it was WMC, not Wells Fargo, that had to ratify the commencement of the action. Wells Fargo has found one decision that holds to the contrary. In Bank of New York v. Stuart,10 the Ninth Appellate District held that a bank that had filed a foreclosure action could cure a real-party-in-interest problem by subsequently obtaining the mortgage.11 But the only authority for this holding was two federal cases from 1966 and 1979. And the two cases are distinguishable. In the first case, the plaintiff was the one who had done all the work that was the subject of the litigation, and the "real party in interest" was "a mere straw man throughout."12 In the second case, the plaintiff was already a party in his own right and was assigned the claims of another plaintiff.13 We find instructive a more recent federal case addressing the application of the rule (but in the context of a statute of limitations).14 In that case, the party suing did not have a claim at the time suit was filed, but received an assignment of the claim after it had commenced the litigation. The court held that "Rule 17(a) does not apply to a situation where a party with no cause of action files a lawsuit to toll the statute of limitations and later obtains a cause of action through assignment."15 In that case, the court concluded that "B & K's assignment to the Wulffs of its claim against CMA cannot ratify the Wulffs' commencement of suit on a claim which theretofore did not exist."16 10 9th Dist. No. 06CA008953, 2007-Ohio-1483. 11 Id. at 12. 12 Campus Sweater and Sportswear Co. v. M. B. Kahn Constr. Co. (D.S.C.1979), 515 F.Supp. 64, 84-85 13 Dubuque Stone Prods. Co. v. Fred L. Gray Co. (C.A.8, 1966), 356 F.2d 718, 723-724. 14 United States v. CMA, Inc. (C.A.9, 1989), 890 F.2d 1070, 1074. 15 Id. 16 Id. See, also, Feist v. Consolidated Freightways Corp. (E.D.Pa.1999), 100 F.Supp.2d 273, 274 (plaintiff's filing of suit in his own name after his Chapter 7 case was closed, and after having failed to list injury claim as estate asset, was not result of honest mistake and thus warranted dismissal rather than substitution of bankruptcy trustee as real party in interest); Automated Information Processing, Inc. v. Genesys Solutions Group, Inc. (D.N.Y.1995), 164 F.R.D. 1, 3 (The -7OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS In light of the foregoing authority, we must respectfully disagree with the Ninth Appellate District. We hold that, in a foreclosure action, a bank that was not the

mortgagee when suit was filed cannot cure its lack of standing by subsequently obtaining an interest in the mortgage. Wells Fargo's third, fourth, and sixth assignments of error are overruled. The Dismissal Issue: Sua Sponte Dismissal Having determined that the trial court could have properly dismissed the case for lack of standing when the suit was filed, we must next determine if dismissal was proper when, as here, it was not requested by the Byrds. Sua sponte dismissals ordinarily prejudice appellants, as they deny any opportunity to respond to the alleged insufficiencies.17 But here, both parties argued the real-party-in- interest issue, and the facts were clear in the record. Wells Fargo did not have standing at the time the complaint was filed. The record unequivocally indicates that WMC did not assign its rights under the mortgage to Wells Fargo until March 2, 2007. Under these circumstances, there was nothing left for the trial court to address. We overrule Wells Fargo's second assignment of error. The Dismissal Issue: With or Without Prejudice A dismissal of a claim other than on the merits should be a dismissal without prejudice.18 We agree with Wells Fargo that a dismissal that is premised on jurisdiction "operates as a failure otherwise than on the merits" and should be a rule permitting substitution of real party in interest when necessary to avoid injustice did not permit substitution of newly formed corporation as plaintiff after it was discovered that corporation that originally brought action had been dissolved.). 17 MBNA Am. Bank, N.A. v. Canfora, 9th Dist. No. 23588, 2007-Ohio-4137, at 14. 18 See Chadwick v. Barba Lou, Inc. (1982), 69 Ohio St.2d 222, 226, 431 N.E.2d 660. -8OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS dismissal without prejudice.19 The dismissal of an action because one of the parties is not a real party in interest or does not have standing is not a dismissal on the merits.20 But the trial court dismissed this case with prejudice. While it attempted to correct this with a subsequent entry, a trial court is without jurisdiction to modify an order dismissing a cause with prejudice to one without prejudice, unless the requirements of Civ.R. 60 are met.21 In this case, the requirements of Civ.R. 60 were not met, and, therefore, the trial court could not have changed its final decision from a dismissal with prejudice to one without prejudice. We sustain Wells Fargo's first and fifth assignments of error. But since the case should have been dismissed without prejudice, we modify the decision of the trial court from a dismissal with prejudice to a dismissal without prejudice. Wells Fargo, now a proper party to initiate a foreclosure action against the Byrds, is free to do so. The Sanction Issue

The Clunk firm, in two related assignments of error, claims that the trial court improperly ordered it to "file documentation showing that their client is the real party in interest as of the date of the filing of the lawsuit" in all future foreclosure actions filed by the firm. We agree. There is no authority for what the trial court did. The Byrds did not seek sanctions, there was no notice of the possibility that this firm would be sanctioned, and there was no hearing on sanctions. The trial court did not limit the 19 See Civ.R. 41(B)(4). 20 See State ex rel. Coles v. Granville, 116 Ohio St.3d 231, 2007-Ohio-6057, 877 N.E.2d 968, at 51. 21 Young v. Ohio Adult Parole Auth. (Apr. 27, 2001), 2nd Dist. No. 2001 CA 3. -9OHIO FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS sanction to this case, but sanctioned the firm for all of its future conduct. In essence, the trial court crafted an additional pleading requirement that would apply only to one law firm. Apart from the vexatious-litigator statute, there is no authority that would allow a trial court to impose additional pleading requirements on an individual--let alone a law firm--in future litigation. The Byrds have cited no such authority and, in fact, have not addressed these assignments of error in their brief. We sustain the law firm's two assignments of error. Conclusion The trial court properly dismissed the foreclosure complaint filed by Wells Fargo in this case because, at the time the complaint was filed, it did not own the mortgage that was the basis for the suit. Acquiring the mortgage by assignment after the suit was commenced could not have cured the jurisdictional defect arising from the fact that, at the time the lawsuit was filed, Wells Fargo had no claims to make against the Byrds. But while the dismissal was proper, it should have been, and is now ordered to be, without prejudice. The trial court lacked authority to order the Clunk firm, upon the filing of future foreclosure complaints, to present additional documentation demonstrating that its clients are the real parties in interest. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed in part as modified with respect to dismissal of the action, and reversed in part with respect to the imposition of sanctions. Judgment accordingly. HILDEBRANDT, P.J., and CUNNINGHAM, J., concur.

Please Note: The court has recorded its own entry on the date of the release of this opinion.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO, EASTERN DIVISION 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 95673

December 27, 2007, Decided December 27, 2007, Filed JUDGES: John D. Holschuh, Judge. IN RE FORECLOSURE CASES. Case Nos. 07-cv-166, 07-cv-190, 07-cv-226, 07-cv-279, 07-cv423, 07-cv-534, 07-cv-536, 07-cv-642, 07-cv-706, 07-cv-727, 07-cv-731, 07-cv-963, 07-cv-1047, 07-cv-1119, 07-cv-1150

JUDGES: John D. Holschuh, Judge. OPINION BY: John D. Holschuh OPINION MEMORANDUM OPINION & ORDER The above listed cases, filed in this Court by various Plaintiffs as holders of defaulted notes and mortgages, are real property mortgage foreclosure actions. These cases are currently before the Court on Plaintiffs' Memorandum of Law in response to this Court's Order to Show Cause dated November 27, 2007. (R. at 24, 25.) 1 For the following reasons, the above listed cases are DISMISSED without prejudice.

1 The Order to Show Cause was docketed at different numbers in each case, as was Plaintiffs' Memorandum of Law. For convenience, all citations to the record are to the record in 07-cv-166.

I. Background Plaintiffs are various banks and lending institutions that have filed these foreclosure actions to recover on defaulted notes and mortgages that the Plaintiffs allegedly hold. While such foreclosure actions have not typically been brought in federal court, the attorney of record for each Plaintiff ("Counsel") has begun filing a large number of these foreclosure actions in both the Southern and Northern Districts [*2] of Ohio on the basis of diversity jurisdiction. In response to this increase in foreclosure

filings, the Southern District issued General Order No. 07-03 (the "Order"), which establishes uniform procedures required for the processing of all foreclosure actions. Relevant to this Memorandum Opinion & Order, the Order states that a foreclosure complaint "must be accompanied" by, among other things, "[a] full recorded copy of . . . any applicable assignments," Gen. Order No. 07-03 P 1.2.4, and "[a]n affidavit documenting that the named plaintiff is the owner and holder of the note and mortgage." Id. at P 1.2.5. Counsel, representing numerous different Plaintiffs, has filed many foreclosure actions in this Court, a number of which have been assigned to the undersigned judge. In all of these foreclosure actions, the recorded copy of the applicable assignment 1) indicated that the assignment of mortgage was executed after the complaint was filed; 2) does not indicate when, if ever, the note was assigned; and 3) was filed with the Court after the complaint was filed. Additionally, with one exception, the affidavit required by P 1.2.5 of the Order was filed after the complaint was filed. The [*3] affidavits filed with the Court state that "Plaintiff is the owner and holder of the promissory note and mortgage referenced in the Complaint and has standing to enforce its rights under the note and mortgage." (Memorandum of Law p. 16, R. at 25.) After a review of the record in these cases revealed issues related to Plaintiffs' standing and compliance with a court order, on November 27, 2007 this Court issued an Order to Show Cause directing Plaintiffs to show cause why these cases 2 should not be dismissed. (R. at 24.) The Order to Show Cause identified two separate grounds that could justify dismissal; 1) lack of standing; or 2) failure to comply with the Order. Plaintiffs have filed a Memorandum of Law in response to the Order to Show Cause (R. at 25), and these issues are now ripe for adjudication.

2 This Court's Order to Show Cause included cases not covered by this Memorandum Opinion & Order. Nos. 07-cv-670, 07-cv-714, and 07-cv-1091 have all been voluntarily dismissed and are no longer on this Court's docket. Additionally, the debtors in 07-cv-999 have filed for bankruptcy, resulting in an automatic stay of that case. Thus, these cases are not covered by this Memorandum Opinion [*4] & Order.

II. Standing Standing "is a qualifying hurdle that [a plaintiff] must satisfy," Community First Bank v. National Credit Union Admin., 41 F.3d 1050, 1053 (6th Cir. 1994), and "is to be

assessed under the facts existing when the complaint is filed." Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555, 570 n. 4, 112 S. Ct. 2130, 119 L. Ed. 2d 351 (1992). A party seeking to bring a case into federal court "bears the burden of demonstrating standing and must plead its components with specificity." Coyne v. American Tobacco Company, 183 F.3d 488, 494 (6th Cir. 1999); Valley Forge Christian College v. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Inc., 454 U.S. 464, 102 S. Ct. 752, 70 L. Ed. 2d 700 (1982). Standing is commonly divided into two different sets of requirements constitutional and prudential. The minimum constitutional requirements for standing, derived from Article III, are 1) proof of injury in fact; 2) causation; and 3) redressability. Valley Forge, 454 U.S. at 472. To satisfy the requirements of Article III, a plaintiff must show that he has personally suffered some actual injury as a result of the defendant's illegal conduct that most likely would be redressed by a favorable ruling from a court. Id.; Coyne, 183 F.3d at 494. To satisfy [*5] the prudential standing requirements; 1) a plaintiff must assert their own legal rights and interests, not those of a third party; 2) a plaintiff's claim must be more than a generalized grievance that is widely shared by others; and 3) when the right to sue is granted by statute, a plaintiff's claim must fall within the "zone of interests" regulated by the statute in question. Coyne, 183 F.3d at 494. Standing issues may be raised sua sponte by a court, see, e.g., Juidice v. Vail, 430 U.S. 327, 97 S. Ct. 1211, 51 L. Ed. 2d 376 (1977); Community First Bank, 41 F.3d at 1053, because the "core component" of the constitutional standing inquiry is rooted in Article III's Case or Controversy requirement and concerns a court's subject matter jurisdiction. Lujan, 504 U.S. at 560. In their Memorandum of Law, Plaintiffs point out that standing may exist as a matter of law when issues of statutory standing and the merits of a plaintiff's cause of action merge. (p. 12, R. at 25.) See Bell v. Hood, 327 U.S. 678, 681-82, 66 S. Ct. 773, 90 L. Ed. 939 (1946). "When the basis of federal jurisdiction is intertwined with the plaintiff's federal cause of action, the court should assume jurisdiction over the case and decide the case on the merits . . . 'The question[s] [*6] of [standing] and the merits will normally be considered intertwined where the [same] statute provides both the basis of federal court subject matter jurisdiction and the cause of action.'" Moore v. LaFayette Life Ins. Co., 458 F.3d 416, 444 (6th Cir. 2006) (quoting Clark v. Tarrant County, Texas,

798 F.2d 736, 742 (5th Cir. 1986)). While the Court agrees with that general proposition, it is inapplicable to Plaintiffs' cases. Plaintiffs argue that, in the present cases, standing exists as a matter of law because the question of whether Plaintiffs held the notes in question relates to both standing and the merits, and the two issues merge. Plaintiffs rely on two cases for this argument. However, both of those cases, Gentek Bldg. Prods. v. Sherwin-Williams Co., 491 F.3d 320 (6th Cir. 2007) and Moore, 458 F.3d at 416, were brought on the basis of federal question jurisdiction and concerned questions of prudential statutory standing under the Magnusson-Moss Act and ERISA, respectively. Plaintiffs concede that there are two differences between these foreclosure cases and Gentek and Moore. First, the Court's Order to Show Cause raised an issue of constitutional standing [*7] - whether Plaintiffs were the ones who actually suffered the injury in fact. (Memorandum of Law p. 12, R. at 25.) Second, these cases were filed on the basis of diversity jurisdiction, not federal question jurisdiction. (Id. at p. 14.) As the Sixth Circuit recognized in Moore, standing and the merits most frequently merge only when the same federal statute creates both a cause of action and federal question jurisdiction. That is not the case here. Plaintiffs' cause of action is created by state law, not a federal statute, and jurisdiction is based on diversity, not a federal question. Plaintiffs argue that
there is no reason why the principle applied in [Gentek and Moore] should not also apply to a case filed on the basis of diversity jurisdiction. In fact, where the citizenship of the parties and the amount in controversy are not at issue, an even stronger argument can be made that a federal district court has jurisdiction to decide the case on the merits. Every case that invokes the Court's diversity jurisdiction, regardless of the type, presents the question whether the plaintiff is asserting its own legal rights or is the one who suffered an injury. These questions are resolved on [*8] the merits. Thus, if the requirements of 28 U.S.C. 1332 are satisfied, there should be little question that the Court has jurisdiction to resolve the case on the merits.

(Id.) To say the least, this statement is overbroad. Plaintiffs are correct that every case presented to this Court involves the preliminary question of whether the plaintiff is the one who suffered an injury. This is why standing is considered a "qualifying hurdle." Community First Bank, 41 F.3d at 1053. This question, however, is separate from the question of whether diversity jurisdiction exists. The 1332 requirements (diversity of citizenship and an amount in controversy exceeding $ 75,000) say absolutely nothing about the Article III standing requirements of injury in fact, causation, and redressability.

The doctrine of standing would become a nulity in diversity cases if simply satisfying the requirements of 1332 sufficed to establish standing. Furthermore, the constitutional standing question of whether Plaintiffs actually suffered an injury in fact at the time these respective cases were filed is distinct from the element of Plaintiffs' claims requiring them to hold the note in order to enforce it. Having [*9] determined that the question of standing cannot be resolved as a matter of law because it does not merge with the Plaintiffs' cause of action, the Court moves on to determine if, in fact, the Plaintiffs have standing. The Court evaluates the question of standing by reference to the "facts existing when the complaint is filed." Lujan, 504 U.S. at 570 n. 4. The Court is not required, however, to accept Plaintiffs' factual allegations as true. Attacks on a court's subject matter jurisdiction, including standing,
generally come in two varieties: a facial attack or a factual attack. A facial attack on the subject-matter jurisdiction alleged in the complaint questions merely the sufficiency of the pleading. When reviewing a facial attack, a district court takes the allegations in the complaint as true, which is a similar safeguard employed under 12(b)(6) motions to dismiss. If those allegations establish federal claims, jurisdiction exists. Where, on the other hand, there is a factual attack on the subject-matter jurisdiction alleged in the complaint, no presumptive truthfulness applies to the allegations. When a factual attack . . . raises a factual controversy, the district court must weigh [*10] the conflicting evidence to arrive at the factual predicate that subject-matter jurisdiction does or does not exist.

Gentek, 491 F.3d at 330 (internal citations omitted). This Court's Order to Show Cause made a factual attack on Plaintiffs' standing, not a facial one. The Court noted that Plaintiffs had introduced evidence of formal assignments of mortgages executed after the respective complaints were filed, and that Plaintiffs had not submitted any evidence indicating that the notes and/or mortgages were assigned, legally or equitably, before the respective complaints were filed. The Court concluded by noting that this evidence, or lack thereof, "indicate[d] to the Court that Plaintiffs may not have been the holders of the respective notes and mortgages under valid assignments at the time the respective [c]omplaints were filed." (Order to Show Cause p. 6-7, November 27, 2007, R. at 24.) This is clearly a factual attack questioning whether Plaintiffs actually held the notes and mortgages in question, not whether Plaintiffs adequately pled that fact. Thus, the Court is not required to credit Plaintiff's factual allegations, but instead must weigh the evidence for itself to determine [*11] if Plaintiffs, in fact, have standing to bring these foreclosure cases. See Gentek, 491 F.3d at 330.

Plaintiffs offer three main arguments supporting the conclusion that they in fact held the note and mortgage at the time the respective complaints were filed and thus have standing. First, Plaintiffs lean most heavily on the affidavit filed in each foreclosure case. This affidavit states that "Plaintiff is the owner and holder of the promissory note and mortgage referenced in the Complaint and has standing to enforce its rights under the note and mortgage." (Memorandum of Law p. 16, R. at 25.) Second, Plaintiffs argue that the mortgage assignments filed in these cases, while executed after the respective complaints were filed and containing present tense language, support the conclusion that Plaintiffs held the note prior to the filing of the respective complaints. Plaintiffs argue that the mortgage assignment only conveys the legal interest in the note, not the equitable interest, and that this equitable interest was assigned prior to the assignment of the mortgage. (Id. at p. 17-19.) Third, Plaintiffs note that they have filed copies of the promissory notes and up-to-date pay histories, [*12] which are not public records. Plaintiffs assert that "[t]he fact that Plaintiffs were able to produce a copy of the note and an up-to-date pay history supports a finding that Plaintiffs hold the note and mortgage." (Id. at p. 18.) The Court is not convinced by these arguments. The affidavit language that Plaintiffs point to is unclear as to when Plaintiffs became the holder of the note and mortgage. Despite Plaintiffs' reliance on their "sworn testimony," this does not indicate that Plaintiffs held the notes and mortgages at the time the respective complaints were filed, especially in light of the fact that the recorded assignments of mortgage all indicate that the mortgages were assigned after the respective complaints were filed. Turning to the mortgage assignments, the Court agrees that the mortgage assignment only conveys a legal interest, and that an equitable interest may have been transferred at another time. Plaintiffs, however, simply have not offered any evidence that an interest in the respective note was assigned prior to the filing of the respective complaint. The only evidence the Court does have relating to when the notes and mortgages were actually assigned are the assignments [*13] of mortgage, which uniformly indicate that the mortgages were assigned after the respective complaints were filed. Finally, the fact that the Plaintiffs were able to introduce copies of the promissory notes and pay histories is undercut by the fact that those promissory notes indicate that another entity held the note, and that the payments were not made to Plaintiffs.

Weighing the evidence presented, the Court finds that Plaintiffs have not established that they in fact owned the notes and mortgages in question at the time these respective complaints were filed. Because Plaintiffs apparently did not own the notes and mortgages at the time the complaints were filed, Plaintiffs suffered no injury in fact from the debtors' default. Plaintiffs thus do not have standing to bring these actions, and these cases should be dismissed for lack of standing. III. Noncomplaince with the Order A validly enacted local rule or general order has the force of law, Weil v. Neary, 278 U.S. 160, 169, 49 S. Ct. 144, 73 L. Ed. 243 (1929), and Rule 83(a)(1) specifically authorizes district courts to "make and amend rules governing its practice." FED. R. CIV. P. 83(a)(1). The Order's command that a foreclosure complaint "must" be accompanied [*14] by documents such as an affidavit and recorded assignment of mortgage would clearly appear to authorize a district court to dismiss, with or without prejudice, any complaint that failed to include these documents. However, Rule 83(a)(2) restrains a district court's enforcement of its rules and orders. That section provides that "[a] local rule imposing a requirement of form shall not be enforced in a manner that causes a party to lose rights becaue of a nonwillful failure to comply with the requirement." FED. R. CIV. P. 83(a)(2). The Advisory Committee Note makes clear that this limitation "is narrowly drawn - covering only violations attributable to nonwillful failure to comply and only those involving local rules directed to matters of form." FED. R. CIV. P. 83(a)(2) Advisory Committee Note to 1995 Amendments. Willful failures to comply do not fall within Rule 83(a)(2)'s prohibition. Local rules and orders also cannot conflict with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Tiedel v. Northwestern Michigan College, 865 F.2d 88, 91 (6th Cir. 1988). Interpreting General Order No. 07-03's command that the complaint "must" include certain materials as authorizing a district court to dismiss [*15] the complaint with or without prejudice for failure to do so cannot conflict with Rule 41(b), governing involuntary dismissal of suits. Rule 41(b) provides that "[f]or failure of the plaintiff to prosecute or to comply with these rules or any order of court, a defendant may move for dismissal of an action." FED. R. CIV. P. 41(b). Despite its seemingly clear language, the Sixth Circuit "has recognized that Rule 41(b) provides courts the authority . . . to dismiss [sua sponte] a

claim for 'failure of the plaintiff to prosecute or comply with these rules, or any order of the court.'" Sexton v. Uniroyal Chemical Co. Inc., 62 F. App'x 615, 618 (6th Cir. 2003) (unpublished) (quoting Harmon v. CSX Transp. Co., 110 F.3d 364, 366-67 (6th Cir. 1997). While district courts have discretion to dismiss cases under Rule 41(b), the Sixth Circuit has identified four factors for courts to analyze when deciding whether to dismiss a complaint under Rule 41(b). Courts should consider "(1) whether the party's failure is due to willfulness, bad faith, or fault; (2) whether the adversary was prejudiced by the . . . party's conduct; (3) whether the . . . party was warned that failure to cooperate could lead [*16] to dismissal; and (4) whether less drastic sanctions were imposed or considered before dismissal of the action." Mulbah v. Detroit Bd. of Ed., 261 F.3d 586, 589 (6th Cir. 2001). When dismissing with prejudice, the Sixth Circuit generally urges restraint and frowns upon dismissing cases under Rule 41(b) for failure to comply with court orders. Dismissal without prejudice, however, is a more lenient sanction, and the controlling standards are relaxed. Muncy v. G.C.R., Inc., 110 F. App'x 552, 555-56 (6th Cir. 2004). Thus, dismissing a complaint with prejudice for failure to comply with the Order would most likely violate Rule 41(b) as well as Rule 83(a)(2) because of the loss of Plaintiffs' rights. Dismissal without prejudice, however, would be within this Court's power under Rule 41(b). Counsel states that he believed in good faith that his actions complied with the Order. Counsel represents that he has brought "hundreds" of these foreclosure cases, and that "[u]ntil recently, no judge . . . had questioned" his practice of bringing such cases without filing the required documents, such as an affidavit, with the complaint. (Memorandum of Law p. 21, R. at 25.) Counsel also argues that the [*17] Order's requirements are susceptible to more than one interpretation. Paragraph 1.2 of the Order states that "[t]he complaint must be accompanied by" such documents as an affidavit and a recorded copy of applicable assignments. Counsel argues that the phrase "accompanied by" usually means "with." "With," in Counsel's view, can mean either a contemporaneous filing, or "filed within a reasonable period of time." (Memorandum of Law p. 22, R. at 25.) Counsel argues that he reasonably believed that the Order's phrase "accompanied by" meant that the accompanying documents could

be filed within a reasonable period of time after the complaint was filed, and that this reasonable belief excuses his noncomplaince with the Order. The Court does not agree with Counsel's arguments. As an initial matter, the fact that other judges have not questioned Counsel's practice, or have only recently begun questioning it, is immaterial to the fact that this Court is questioning his practice in filing these cases. Counsel's "that's the way I've always done it" argument is not persuasive. Furthermore, the Court does not believe that the phrase "accompanied by" can bear the interpretation Counsel puts on it. The [*18] plain meaning of "accompanied by" or "with" is "contemporaneously with" or "at the same time." When a doctor tells a patient to "come with your insurance card" or "accompanied by your insurance card," the doctor is telling the patient to bring their insurance card to doctor's office at the same time as the patient's visit, not three days later. Counsel's strained and unusual interpretation of the phrase "accompanied by" does not excuse noncompliance. The Court finds that Counsel's failure to comply with the Order's requirements was willful. As noted in the Order to Show Cause, Counsel is responsible for filing all the foreclosure cases currently on this Court's docket, and all such cases, in some way, violate the Order. This is strong evidence of a willful disregard of the Order, of which Counsel had notice. The affidavits and assignments of mortgage in question were typically filed shortly after the respective complaints were filed, and there is no good explanation as to why Counsel simply could not have waited to file the complaint until all the required documents were available. These cases, therefore, should be dismissed for failure to comply with the Court's Order. IV. Conclusion For [*19] these reasons, the Court DISMISSES these foreclosure cases without prejudice. Plaintiffs and Counsel are hereby advised that, if these cases are refiled, Plaintiffs must establish their standing, and Counsel must comply with the Order's requirements. Failure to do so a second time may result in a dismissal with prejudice. IT IS SO ORDERED. Date: December 27, 2007 /s/ John D. Holschuh John D. Holschuh, Judge United States District Court

Exhibit M Barclays Bank Bill of Sale

Exhibit K Previous Sanctions Against Wells Fargo Bank

United States Bankruptcy Court District of Massachusetts

In re: ) ) JACALYN S. NOSEK, ) Chapter 13 DEBTOR. ) Case No. 02-46025 JBR ____________________________________) ) JACALYN S. NOSEK, ) Adversary Proceeding PLAINTIFF, ) No. 04-4517 and ) No. 07-4109 v. ) AMERIQUEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, ) et al ) DEFENDANTS ) ) MEMORANDUM OF DECISION REGARDING ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE This matter came before the court for a hearing on the Courts Order to Show Cause why sanctions should not be imposed for apparent misrepresentations as to the status of Ameriquest Mortgage Company as the holder of the note and mortgage at issue in this case and adversary proceedings. FACTS The facts surrounding the dispute between the Debtor and Ameriquest Mortgage Company (Ameriquest) as found by the Court after trial in adversary proceeding 044517 are set forth in In re Nosek, 2006 WL 1867096 at *6 (Bankr. D. Mass. June 30, 2006). The facts pertinent to the issues now before the Court can be summarized as follows. On October 2, 2002 the Debtor filed a voluntary petition pursuant to Chapter 13 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. On November 1, 2002 she filed her schedules, including Schedule D on which she listed a secured, albeit disputed, debt owed to Norwest Bank Minnesota, NA, Tr, c/o Ablitt & Caruolo,

P.C. as well as the firms address. The same schedule also lists Ameriquest Mortgage Company Representing: Norwest Bank Minnesota, NA, Tr and Buchalter, Nemer, Fields et al Representing: Norwest Bank Minnesota, NA, Tr and their respective addresses. Ameriquest, Norwest Bank Minnesota, NA, Tr. and the Buchalter firm are listed on the amended creditor matrix. Throughout the course of the bankruptcy case and Adversary Proceeding 04-4517, Ameriquest and its attorneys have represented that Ameriquest was the holder of a note and mortgage given by the Debtor/Plaintiff to Ameriquest.1 The Courts judgment in Adversary Proceeding 04-4517 is currently on appeal before the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. On July 27, 2007 the Debtor commenced Adversary Proceeding 07-4109 against Ameriquest and the two standing Chapter 13 Trustees for the District of Massachusetts and sought, among other things, an order for trustee process. On September 27, 2007 Ameriquest filed an opposition [# 20] and in it, for the first time in this case, informed the Court that Ameriquest merely collects these funds [which the Debtor sought to attach] on behalf of their owners. It does not own these funds.... The Affidavit of Eileen Driscoll Rubens,2 dated September 27, 2007, reads in part: Prior to March, 2005, Ameriquest acted as a loan servicer both for certain of the loans it originated and for loans originated by other parties.

Rubens Affidavit at 8 (emphasis added).

1 As discussed below, the term holder has a specific meaning when used in connection with a promissory note. 2 Ms. Rubens identifies herself as a Senior Counsel for ACC Holdings Corporation (ACC) and the Assistant Secretary for the ACC subsidiaries Ameriquest Mortgage Company (Ameriquest) and AMC Mortgage Services, Inc. (AMC Mortgage Services). Rubens Affidavit at 1.

A flurry of motions and cross-motions ensued, including Ameriquests cross-motion to dismiss Adversary Proceeding 07-4109 on the grounds that the Court lacked jurisdiction because of the pending appeal and the Debtors motion to amend the complaint in Adversary Proceeding 07-4109 to add Norwest Bank, Minnesota, N.A. (Norwest) as a defendant.3 Ameriquest opposed the motion to amend the complaint on the grounds that the Plaintiff had elected to sue Ameriquest instead of Norwest, its allegedly disclosed principal. The complaint was dismissed as to Ameriquest but the Debtor was permitted to amend her complaint to add Norwest as the Defendant. On January 9, 2008 Norwest Bank, Minnesota, N.A., now known as Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee for Amresco Residential Securities Corp. Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 1998-2 filed a Request for Judicial Notice, which, along with its attached exhibits, evidence the following: 1. On November 25, 1997 the Debtor gave Ameriquest a note and mortgage on her principal residence to secure the note. 2. On November 30, 1997, five days after Ameriquest originated the loan, Ameriquest assigned the note and mortgage to Norwest. 3. On May 22, 2000 the assignment of the note and mortgage was recorded. 78. On March 31, 2005 an assignment of the servicing rights in connection with the November 30, 1997 note and mortgage were assigned by Ameriquest to AMC Mortgage Services.4

The Debtor also sought to add Citi Residential Lending, Inc. as a trustee defendant. Citi Financial is not a party to this Order to Show Cause.
3

Despite the above chronology which indicates that Ameriquest was the loan originator and had not held the note since November 30, 1997 and despite the fact that Ameriquest ended its servicer role as of March 31, 2005, the Court noted that Ameriquest and its attorneys made contrary representations as to Ameriquests status. For example On February 13, 2003, Ameriquest filed a proof of claim [Claim # 1], which was amended by a proof of claim dated April 22, 2003 [Claim #16] and signed by one John Teston, to which the note and mortgage were attached without any reference to the assignment. I n the February 17, 2003 Response to Debtors Objection to Ameriquests Proof of Claim, attorney Jennifer G. Haskell of the law firm of Ablitt & Caruolo, P.C. signed the pleading containing the following statement: That Ameriquest is the holder of the first mortgage on real property known as 60 Bolton Road, South Lancaster, Massachusetts, and [sic] was recorded in the Worcester County (Worcester District) registry of Deeds in Book 19404, Page 164. (Emphasis added). By letter dated October 26, 2002 Ameriquests Customer Service Department sent the debtor a letter in which Ameriquest stated Ameriquest Mortgage Company (AMC) holds an Adjustable Rate Note secured by a mortgage (or Deed of Trust)

4 The trial in Adversary Proceeding 04-4517 began on November 28, 2005. At that time Ameriquest, while it could be held accountable for its past behavior, had no role with respect to the note and mortgage, a fact not disclosed to the Court.

against the residential real property....5 On or about February 24, 2003 attorney Jennifer G. Haskell signed a Motion for Relief in the Debtors bankruptcy case on behalf of Ameriquest and represented that [t]he movant is the holder of a first mortgage ....6 On January 3, 2005 attorney William J. Amann of the law firm of Ablitt & Caruolo P.C. signed an answer to the complaint in Adversary Proceeding 04-4517 in which he admitted the allegation in the complaint filed December 2, 2004 that Ameriquest is the holder of the first position mortgage. Attorney Robert F. Charlton defended Ameriquest in the 8-day trial in Adversary Proceeding 04-4517 without advising the Court that Ameriquest was neither the noteholder nor mortgagee.7 Attorney Jeffrey K. Garfinkle of the law firm of Buchalter Nemer filed an appearance in Adversary Proceeding 04-4517 on July 17, 2006 and failed to advise the Court until the pleadings of January 9, 2008 filed in Adversary Proceeding 07-4109 of Ameriquests true role in these proceedings. Consequently the Court issued its Order to Show Cause requiring Ameriquest; John Teston, who

5Ameriquest sent more than one letter containing this language. See for example, Ameriquests letter of April 26, 2003.

6Failure to identify Norwest as the subsequent holder of the obligation and identify Ameriquest as the agent for the holder violates the current iteration of MLBR 40011(b)(2)(F), a requirement not contained in the local rules then in effect. There is nothing in MLRB 4001-1, as it existed when the motion was filed, that permits the misrepresentation of the movants role, however. 7At the time of the trial, Ameriquest was no longer the servicer.

signed proofs of claim on behalf of Ameriquest; the law firm of Ablitt & Caruolo, PC;8 Attorney Jennifer G. Haskell; Attorney William Amann, Attorney Robert F. Charlton; the law firm of Buchalter Nemer Fields & Younger (Buchalter); Attorney Jeffrey K. Garfinkle; Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis (K&L Gates); and Norwest to show cause why they should not be sanctioned for their apparent misrepresentations. In addition. Attorney R. Bruce Allensworth was ordered to provide evidence for his representation during the November 28, 2007 hearing on the Motion to Amend the Complaint in Adversary Proceeding 07-4109 that following whatever initial pleadings may have been followed [sic] in this case, it is the case that in the course of discovery there was testimony at deposition that these loans had been sold.9 He was also ordered to provide support for his contention that Norwests identity was disclosed by virtue of the 2000 recordation of the assignment of the note and mortgage when Ameriquests own counsel improperly referred to Ameriquest as the holder of the note and mortgage throughout the bankruptcy and adversary proceedings until January 9, 2008. . Shortly after the Order to Show Cause entered on the docket, Citi Residential Lending, Inc., in its capacity as loan servicer for the note, through attorneys David Liu and Jason E.Goldstein of the Buchalter Nemer firm, filed a Transfer of Claim Other than for Security andlisted Ameriquest as the transferor of the claim evidenced by claim number 16.10 The Debtor has

8At some point prior to the trial in Adversary Proceeding 04-4517, the law firm of Ablitt & Caruolo, P.C. became Ablitt & Charlton, P.C. A response was filed on behalf of Ablitt & Charlton, P.C. (The Ablitt Firm). 9The Debtors attorney had advised the Court that he was also unaware of the assignment until learning of it in the most recent adversary proceeding. 10 The Transfer of claim form indicates that claim # 16 (Amended #1) was transferred. There is no amended proof of claim regarding claim #16.

7 requested that the Court take judicial notice of the fact that Ameriquest is listed as the transferor; Ameriquest responded that it was entitled to file the proof of claim in its own name pursuant to a Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated June 1, 1998, a copy of which was filed at the hearing on the Order to Show Cause on February 21, 2008 [docket #214]. All of the individuals and entities named in the Order to Show Cause, with the exception of John Teston, filed written responses as required by the Order.11 The responses focused on several common themes: first, nobody intended to mislead the Court; second, the Debtor and her attorney knew that Ameriquest was not the noteholder and thus she was not harmed; third, notes and mortgages are bought and sold so frequently, that it is difficult to know at any given moment who holds the note and mortgage; and fourth, that the Pooling and Service Agreement permitted Ameriquest to undertake some actions in its own name. In addition, Ablitt & Caruolo and its attorneys urged the Court to find that their reliance on representations of individuals at the Buchalter firm was reasonable. The Court held a hearing on the Order to Show Cause at which these same points were reiterated and took the matter under advisement. DISCUSSION Throughout most of these proceedings, Ameriquest and its attorneys represented that Ameriquest was the holder of the note of the note and mortgage. The word holder has a very specific definition when used in connection with a negotiable instrument such as a note. _______________________________ 11 Ameriquest advised the Court that Mr. Teston was no longer employed by Ameriquest and that his current whereabouts are unknown. Although Ameriquest mailed a copy of the Order to Show Cause to Mr. Testons last known address, Ameriquest is unsure whether he received the Order. The Court will not proceed against Mr. Teston given this uncertainty and in light of Buchalters acceptance of responsibility for the preparation of the proofs of claim.

Holder with respect to a negotiable instrument, means the person in possession if the instrument is payable to bearer or, in the case of an instrument payable to an identified person, if the identified person is in possession.... M.G.L.A. 106 1-201(20). The term holder is similarly defined when used in connection with a mortgage. See BLACKS LAW DICTIONARY, 1034 (8th ed. 2004)(mortgage-holder or mortgagee is one to whom property is mortgaged; the mortgage creditor or lender). Unfortunately the parties confusion and lack of knowledge, or perhaps sloppiness, as to their roles is not unique in the residential mortgage industry. In re Maisel, 378 B.R. 19 (Bankr.D. Mass. 2007); In re Schwartz, 366 B.R. 265 (Bankr. D. Mass. 2007). See also In re Foreclosure Cases, 2007 WL 3232430 (N.D. Ohio 2007). Nor are mistakes and misrepresentations limited to the identification of roles played by various entities in this industry. In re Schuessler, 2008 WL 1747935, *3 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2008) (movants motion misrepresented debtors equity); Porter, Katherine M., Misbehavior and Mistake in Bankruptcy Mortgage Claims (November 6, 2007). University of Iowa Legal Studies Research Paper No. 07-29. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1027961. As this Court has noted on more than one occasion, those parties who do not hold the note or mortgage and who do not service the mortgage do not have standing to pursue motions for relief or other actions arising from the mortgage obligation. Schwartz, 366 B.R. at 270. The Court has had to expend time and resources, as have debtors already burdened in their attempts to pay their mortgages, because of the carelessness of those in the residential mortgage industry and the bombast this Court and others have encountered when calling them on their shortcomings. In re Foreclosure Cases, 2007 WL 3232430 at *3, n.1. The purpose of Rule 9011 is to deter baseless filings in bankruptcy and thus avoid the

expenditure of unnecessary resources by imposing sanctions on those found to have violated it. In re MAS Realty Corp., 326 B.R. 31, 37 (Bankr. D. Mass. 2005). Pursuant to Fed. R. Bankr. 9011(b), an attorney or unrepresented party who signs a pleading, written motion, or other paper is, among other things, certifying to the Court that the allegations and other factual contentions have evidentiary support, or if specifically so identified, are likely to have evidentiary support after a reasonable opportunity for further investigation or discovery.... The certification is not an absolute guaranty of accuracy, however; the rule expressly permits the representations to be based upon the signers best knowledge, information, and belief formed after an inquiry reasonable under the circumstances. The standard to be applied is an objective standard of reasonableness under the circumstances. Cruz v. Savage, 896 F.2d 626, 631 (1st Cir. 1990). Courts, therefore, must inquire as to whether a reasonable attorney in like circumstances could believe his actions to be factually and legally justified. Cabell v. Petty, 810 F.2d 463, 466 (4th Cir.1987). Cullen v. Darvin, 132 B.R. 211, 215 (D. Mass. 1991). A finding of unreasonableness must be shown by a preponderance of the evidence. Miller- Holzwarth, Inc. v. U.S., 2000 WL 291728, 3 (Fed. Cir. 2000).12 When Fed. R. Civ. P. 11 was amended in 1983,13 the Advisory Committee noted that what constitutes a reasonable inquiry may depend on such factors as how much time for investigation was available to the signer; whether he had to rely on a client for information as to the facts underlying the pleading, motion, or other paper; whether the 12All parties, except Mr. Teston, who did not respond, submitted affidavits. None of the parties requested an evidentiary hearing. 13In determining whether the imposition of sanctions is appropriate in [a] case, the Court may look to authorities interpreting Fed. R. Civ. P. 11 as a guidepost. In re M.A.S. Realty Corp. 326 at 38, n.7.

pleading, motion, or other paper was based on a plausible view of

the law; or whether he depended on forwarding counsel or another member of the bar. In commenting upon the revisions made to subdivisions (b) and (c) of the Rule in 1993, the Advisory Committee explained The revision in part expands the responsibilities of litigants to the court, while providing greater constraints and flexibility in dealing with infractions of the rule. The rule continues to require litigants to stop-and-think before initially making legal or factual contentions. It also, however, emphasizes the duty of candor by subjecting litigants to potential sanctions for insisting upon a position after it is no longer tenable and by generally providing protection against sanctions if they withdraw or correct contentions after a potential violation is called to their attention. If Rule 9011 is violated, the Court may impose sanctions. The imposition of sanctions under Rule 9011 is a very serious matter. The decision regarding whether they should be imposed requires a great deal of thought and care. Only those actions deemed to fall squarely within the purview of Rule 9011 will result in a finding that it has been violated and the concomitant imposition of sanctions by this Court. In re M.A.S. Realty Corp., 326 B.R. at 37.If sanctions are imposed, the Court must limit the amount imposed to what is sufficient to deter repetition of such conduct or comparable conduct by others similarly situated. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9011(c)(2); Arcari v. Marder, 225 B.R. 253, 257 (D. Mass. 1998). Id. at 38. With these tenets as a guide, the Court must examine the conduct of each party required to show cause but before doing will dispense with some common arguments. Virtually all of parties argue that there was no intent to mislead the Court. Because the standard to be applied is an objective one, the Court may quickly dispatch this argument. Intent is irrelevant. The argument that the assignment of the note and mortgage was a matter of public record and therefore the Debtor knew or should have known of

Norwests identity is relevant but disingenuous, indeed even arrogant, since many of these same parties asserting this position allege they had no way of knowing about the assignment. They seek to bind the Debtor to one standard and themselves to a much lower one. Moreover the attorneys and law firms argument that notes and mortgages frequently change hands multiple times, often with written documentation executed later, which they offer as explanation as to why its reasonable for them to rely on the representations of their clients should provide little shelter when they insist that the Debtor should have known better than to take their pleadings literally. This Court will not countenance creditors and creditorss attorneys holding themselves to a different and clearly lower standard than what they expect of the Debtor. It will not tolerate a lenders or servicers disregard for the rules that govern litigation, including contested matters, in the federal courts. It is the creditors responsibility to keep a borrower and the Court informed as to who owns the note and mortgage and is servicing the loan, not the borrowers or the Courts responsibility to ferret out the truth. AMERIQUEST Ameriquest attempts to portray itself as the victim; in its view, the Debtor knew the true identity of the mortgage holder and that Ameriquest was the servicer. As proof it cites to the Debtors schedules and amended matrix. Of course this argument has two major flaws. First, the Order to Show Cause was not issued to deal with misrepresentations to the Debtor and her counsel but rather to determine whether the misrepresentations to the Court were indicative of very sloppy practice at best or an intentionally deceptive practice at worst. Second, as noted above, that these obligations are frequently bought and sold imposes a responsibility to know and correctly represent the status of the loan. That Ameriquest had no role after March 2005 -- well before the trial in Adversary Proceeding 04-4517, was unknown to the Court.

Similarly Ameriquests argument that the noteholders identity was disclosed during a deposition of one of its employees misses the mark and, as noted above, so does the argument that the assignment of the note and mortgage ultimately became a matter of public record. Ameriquest argues that assignments of notes and mortgages frequently occur with documentation of the transfers recorded, and even executed, at a later time. Moreover Ameriquest represents that it is not uncommon for the original noteholder or mortgagee to take back the note and/or mortgage when a borrower defaults. Using these excuses, the parties attitude appears to be that confusion as to a partys role is understandable against the current commercial climate. If the transfer of such negotiable instruments occurs at such a fast pace and without timely recorded evidence of the transfers, why should the Court and Debtors counsel be expected to know the roles of the parties? The burden is clearly on the sophisticated, albeit careless, lenders and servicers. Ameriquest also seeks to hide behind the Pooling and Servicing Agreement by arguing that the document gave Ameriquest the power to act in its own name, including for the purpose of filing proofs of claim. That may be true but proofs of claim filed under a written power of attorney MUST have the power of attorney attached. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 3001 and Official Form 10. No part of the agreement was attached to the proof of claim. It is worth repeating as a warning to lenders and servicers that the rules of this Court apply to them. Their private agreements and the frenzied trading market for mortgages do not excuse compliance with the Bankruptcy Rules any more than they would justify ignoring the Bankruptcy Code. This Court finds that Ameriquest made repeated misrepresentations and its behavior in failing to properly disclose its role was unreasonable under the circumstances. Although Ameriquest has informed the Court that it is no longer engaged

in originating and servicing loans and therefore presents no danger to misrepresent its status in the future, it ignores the fact that it could reenter the residential mortgage arena in the future. Moreover, sanctions are designed to deter future actions not only those of the offending party but also comparable conduct by others similarly situated. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9011(c)(2). Therefore Ameriquest is sanctioned $250,000. THE ABLITT FIRM AND ITS ATTORNEYS By its express terms Rule 9011 applies to law firms as well as attorneys. Fed. R. Bankr. P. 9011(c). The Ablitt Firm and its attorneys, Jennifer Haskell and William Amann, filed a joint response in which they assert that they had no knowledge of any mistaken or incomplete information, that their filings and statements were based upon and consistent with Ameriquests proof of claim and the information they received from Ameriquest and its national counsel, the Buchalter Firm. They also state that notes and mortgages are frequently sold back to the originator when the notes are in default. The Ablitt Firm also submitted the affidavit of Attorney Steven Ablitt, who testified that the firm relied upon the direction of its institutional clients regarding what name relief should be sought in or a foreclosure action prosecuted in part because of the uncertainty of unrecorded transfers. He cites to Title Standard No. 58 of the Real Estate Bar Association of Massachusetts, which opines that a title is not defective solely because a foreclosure is done in the name of an assignee even though the assignment of mortgage is not executed until after the foreclosure, as evidence that memorialization of an assignment of the mortgage is not the operative document by which mortgages are sold. Thus he argues that reliance upon an institutional clients representations in a foreclosure referral is an accepted practice. Neither Attorney Ablitt nor the response addresses the fact that, prior to the Debtors current bankruptcy, the Ablitt firm had been retained to

commence foreclosure proceedings and seek relief from stay in the Debtors prior bankruptcy cases. If they had, they would have seen all those actions were undertaken in the name of Norwest. So the question becomes whether a firm should be permitted to rely on representations of its client without reviewing its own files. At a time when mortgages and notes are bought and sold at a pace so swiftly that the assignor and assignee cannot keep up with the paperwork, had the attorneys at the Ablitt firm checked the firms file, they would have seen that Norwest was perhaps the real party in interest, at least when prior actions were taken, and thus sought additional information. The firm cannot shield itself from its institutional knowledge. Therefore the Court will impose sanctions of $25,000 on the firm. Attorneys Haskell and Amann aver that they were both associates at the firm at the time of their involvement in these matters. They assert essentially that they were carrying out the bidding of their client, Ameriquest, and its national counsel, the Buchalter firm. Nevertheless they had an independent obligation to the Court pursuant to Rule 9011. Yet the Court is mindful that young associates are often not in a position to question the assignments given to them. Because the affidavits are unclear as to what each associate was told when given the assignment, the Court will not impose monetary sanctions on Attorneys Haskell and Amann but will let this decision serve as a warning that in the future the Court expects associates will be cognizant of and fulfill their responsibilities under Rule 9011. ATTORNEY ROBERT CHARLTON Attorney Charlton was a partner at the Ablitt firm at the time he conducted the trial in this matter but in his response he avers that he had not been involved in this matter since October 2006 and that he never heard of Norwest. The response begs the question; should he have known about Norwest. For the same reasons that the Ablitt firm knew of

Norwest, so should Attorney Charlton. Therefore Attorney Charlton is sanctioned $25,000. K&L GATES AND ATTORNEY R. BRUCE ALLENSWORTH K&L Gates did not enter this matter until February 2008. The Court finds that the conduct of the K&L Gates attorneys did not violate Rule 9011. THE BUCHALTER FIRM AND ATTORNEY JEFFREY GARFINKLE The Buchalter firm is one of the prime sources of the problem in this case. One of its unnamed paralegals prepared the proof of claim forms and by its own admission, the firm cannot determine whether it had information as to the identity of the owner at the time the forms were prepared, although it was aware of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement. But as the Court has noted, that agreement cannot change the requirements for filings proofs of claim in accordance with the Bankruptcy Rules or Official Form 10. The Buchalter firms response blithely ignoresthe role it played in setting the series of misrepresentations in motion. As national counsel to a mortgage lender, it has a

14 The Court notes that the Buchalter firm and Attorney Garfinkle filed pleadings on behalf of Norwest/Wells Fargo in Adversary Proceeding 07-4109. None of the pleadings filed in response to the Order to show cause address the firms current and historical relationship with Norwest or Wells Fargo. It would be curious indeed if the firm was national counsel to both yet incapable of distinguishing between the roles each played in a given case. responsibility to know its clients role in a case.14 It cannot rely on the representations of its client; it has a responsibility to question and probe to the extent necessary to ensure that it has elicited correct information. The firm fell far short of what was required. Consequently the firm is sanctioned $100,000. Attorney Garfinkle became involved after the trial in Adversary Proceeding 04-4517 was concluded. His and the firms response argues that there was no reason for him to question Ameriquests role. Given that the court had awarded damages against

Ameriquest, there was nothing inherently improper about Attorney Garfinkles representations in this case. His involvement centered on pursuing an appeal of the judgment and opposing the imposition of costs and attorneys fees. Thus attorney Garfinkle was dealing with the facts as they had historically been presented to the Court, and made no representations of Ameriquests then current status. Therefore the Court does not impose sanctions on Attorney Garfinkle. NORWEST N/K/A WELLS FARGO Norwest/Wells Fargo seeks to hide behind the Pooling and Servicing Agreement. Its position is that it turned all responsibilities over to Ameriquest and it knew nothing about what Ameriquest was doing. The Court notes, however, that it knew nothing about what Ameriquest was doing because it chose not to know. It has attempted to bifurcate the benefits of the note, namely its right to receive repayment of the loan, from all responsibilities associated with servicing and collecting payments. If Norwest/Wells Fargo wishes to engage servicers, as it is certainly free to do, it cannot turn a blind eye to the actions of the servicers. Had Norwest/Wells Fargo shown even a modicum of oversight or review of Ameriquests behavior, it should have been able to correct the misrepresentations. The Court does not accept that one can simply by contract sever the benefits and burdens associated with residential mortgage lending. The Court joins in the frustration expressed by the courts in In re Schuessler and In re Parsley, 2008 WL 622859 at * 19 (Bankr. S.D.Tex. 2008) (Tracing the steps leading up to the filing of the Motion shows that this is an assembly line process.). The link between lender and borrower in the current residential mortgage industry is a multilayered, tightly-if not hopelessly-entangled assembly line, the purpose of which seems to be the avoidance of responsibility. In re Schuessler, 2008 WL 1747935at *25 (Notwithstanding Chase Home Finances [the apparent servicer] disingenuous claim that

its system is designed to protect debtors, it primarily exists to protect Chase Home Finance and JPMorgan Chase Bank [the apparent noteholder and mortgagee].). Under the guise of creating a complex structure to suit their needs, Wells Fargo and Ameriquest have attempted to jettison the obligation to be forthright and diligent with the Court and the Debtor. This Court will not allow Wells Fargo or any other mortgagee to shirk responsibility by pointing fingers at their servicers. Moreover because Wells Fargo continues as a participant in the mortgage industry, the Court is cognizant that the sanction must be sufficient to deter its cavalier behavior in the future. Therefore the Court will impose a sanction of $250,000 on Wells Fargo. In imposing the sanction on Wells Fargo, the Court is not limiting the sanction against Wells Fargo solely and to the extent that there are assets in the AMERESCO Residential Securities Corporation Mortgage Loan Trust 1998-2, which was established under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement. That the note and mortgage were subsequently assigned to a trust holding a pool of notes and mortgages by Wells Fargos predecessor, Norwest, is simply another example of the layers interposed between borrower and lender in todays marketplace. It cannot serve as a vehicle to deflect ultimate responsibility from Wells Fargo. CONCLUSION For the reasons set forth herein, sanctions will be imposed as set forth above on Ameriquest in the amount of $250,000; Ablitt & Charlton, P.C., formerly known as Ablitt & Caruolo, P.C., in the amount of $25,000; Attorney Robert Charlton in the amount of $25,000; Buchalter Nemer Fields & Younger in the amount of $100,000; and Wells Fargo in the amount of $250,000.

Sanctions will not be imposed on Attorney Jennifer Haskell; Attorney William Amann; Attorney R. Bruce Allensworth; and Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis. A separate order will issue. Dated: April 25 , 2008 ___________________________ Joel B. Rosenthal United States Bankruptcy Judge.

Exhibit N Federal Reserve Statistical Interest Rate Release

Exhibit O1 Good Faith Estimate of Settlement Costs page 1

Exhibit O1 Good Faith Estimate of Settlement Costs page 2

Exhibit O2 Good Faith Estimate of Settlement Costs page 1

Exhibit O2 Good Faith Estimate of Settlement Costs page 2

Exhibit AA Disbursement Worksheet 1

Exhibit AA Disbursement Worksheet 2

Exhibit AB Itemization of Amount Financed

Child Support 1 Exhibit T

Child Support 2 Exhibit U

Child Support 3 Exhibit V

TILA Statement Exhibit X1

TILA Statement Exhibit X2

Truth In Lending Act Case Law

Any false representation of material facts made with knowledge of falsity and with intent that it shall be acted on by another in entering into contract, and which is so acted upon, constitutes fraud, and entitles party deceived to avoid contract or recover damages. Barnsdall Refining Corn. v. Birnam wood Oil Co., 92 F 2d 8 The contract is void if it is only in part connected with the illegal transaction and the promise single or entire. Guardian Agency v. Guardian Mutual. Savings Bank, 227 Wis 550, 279 NW 83. If any part of the consideration for a promise be illegal, or if there are several considerations for an unseverable promise one of which is illegal, the promise, whether written or oral, is wholly void, as it is impossible to say what part or which one of the considerations induced the promise. Menominee River Co. v. Augustus Spies L & C Co., 147 Wis 559, 572; 132 NW 1122

"When an instrument [note] lacks an unconditional promise to pay a sum certain at a fixed and determined time, it is only an acknowledgement of the debt and statutory presumptions like the presence of a valuable consideration, are not applicable." Bader vs. Williams, 61 A 2d 637 In the federal courts, it is well established that a national bank has not power to lend its credit to another by becoming surety, indorser, or guarantor for him. Farmers and Miners Bank v. Bluefield Nat l Bank, 11 F 2d 83, 271 U.S. 669. It has been settled beyond controversy that a national bank, under federal law being limited in its powers and capacity, cannot lend its credit by guaranteeing the debts of another. All such contracts entered into by its officers are ultra vires Howard & Foster Co. v. Citizens Natl Bank of Union, 133 SC 202, 130 SE 759(1926) It is not necessary for recession of a contract that the party making the misrepresentation should have known that it was false, but recovery is allowed even though misrepresentation is innocently made, because it would be unjust to allow one who made false representations, even innocently, to retain the fruits of a bargain induced by such representations. Whipp v. Iverson, 43 Wis 2d 166. It is not within those statutory powers for a national bank, even though solvent, to lend its credit to another in any of the various ways in which that might be done. Federal Intermediate Credit Bank v. L Herrison, 33 F 2d 841, 842 (1929) Mr. Justice Marshall said: The doctrine of ultra vires is a most powerful weapon to keep private corporations within their legitimate spheres and to punish them for violations of their corporate charters, and it probably is not invoked too often. Zinc Carbonate Co. v. First National Bank, 103 Wis 125, 79 NW 229. American Express Co. v. Citizens State Bank, 194 NW 430.

Truth in Lending Act was passed to prevent unsophisticated consumer from being misled as to total cost of financing. Truth in Lending Act, Section 102, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601. Griggs v. Provident Consumer Discount. 680 F.2d 927, certiorari granted, vacated 103 S.Ct. 400, 459 U.S. 56, 74 L.Ed.2d 225, on remand 699 F.2d 642.

Purpose of Truth in Lending Act is for customers to be able to make informed decisions. Truth in Lending Act Section 102, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601. Griggs v. Provident Consumer Discount Co. 680 F.2d 927, certiorari granted, vacated 103 S.Ct. 400, 459 U.S. 56, 74 L.Ed,2d 225, on remand 699 F,2d 642,

Truth in Lending Act is strictly a liability statute liberally construed in favor of consumers. Truth in Lending Act Section 102 et seq., 15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq. Brophv v. Chase Manhattan Mortgage Co, 947 F.Supp. 879.

Truth in Lending Act should be construed liberally to ensure achievement of goal of aiding unsophisticated consumers so that consumers are not easily misled as to total costs of financing. Truth in Lending Act, Sections 102 et seq, 102(a), 105 as amended, I5 U.S.C. Sections 1601 et seq., 1601(a), 1604; Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z, Sections 226.1 et seq., 226.18, 15 U.S.C. Section 1700, Basile v. H&R Block. Jlt(L. 897 F.Supp. 194.

Truth in Lending Act must be strictly construed and liability imposed for any violation, no matter how technical. Truth in Lending Act Section 102 et seq., as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq, Abele v. Mid-Penn Consumer Discount. 77 B.R. 460, affirmed S45 F.2d 1009.

Truth in Lending Act must be liberally construed to effectuate remedial purposes of protecting consumer against inaccurate and unfair credit billing and credit card practices and of promoting intelligent comparison shopping by consumers contemplating the use of credit by full disclosure of terms and conditions of credit card charges, Truth in Lending Act Section 102 et seq, as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq Lifschitz v. American Exp. Co. 560 F.Supp. 458

To qualify for protection of Truth in Lending Act [15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq.], plaintiff must show that disputed transaction was a consumer credit transaction not a business transaction, Truth b Lending Act, Section 102 et seq., 15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq. Quino v. A-I CreditCom. 635 F.Supp. 151

Requirements of Truth in Lending Act are highly technical, but full compliance is required; even minor violations of Act cannot be ignored, Truth in Lending Act, Section 102 et

seq. as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq.; Truth in Lending Act Regulations, Regulation Z Section 226.1 et seq., 15 U.S.C. foil. Section 1700. Griggs v. Providence Consumer Discount Co. 503 F.Supp. 246, appeal dismissed 672 F2d 903, appeal after remand 680 F.2d 927, certiorari granted, vacated 103 S.Ct, 400, 459 U.S. 56, 74 L.Ed.2d 225, on remand 699 F,2d 642.

A valid rescission of a "credit sale" contract does not render inoperative the disclosure requirements of the Truth in Lending Act, as creditor's obligations to make specific disclosures arises prior to consummation of transaction. Truth in Lending Act Section 102 et seq., 15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq.; Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z, Sections 226.2(c) 226.8(a), 15 U.S.C., following section 1700. O'Neil c^ 484 F.Supp. 18.

Under truth in lending regulation providing that disclosure of consumer credit loan shall not be "stated, utilized or placed so as to mislead or confuse" consumer, placement of disclosures is to be considered along with their statement and use. Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z, Section 226.6(c), 15 U.S.C. following section 1700 .Geimuso v. Commercial Bank & Trust Co. 566 F.2d 437.

Any violation of the Truth in Lending Act, regardless of technical nature, must result in finding of liability against lender. Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z Section 226.1 et seq., 15 U.S.C. Section 1700; Truth in Lending Act Section 130 (a, e), IS U.S.C. Section 1640 (a, e). In Re Steinbrecher. 110 BR. 155, 116 A.L.R. Fed. 881.

Question of whether lender's Truth in Lending Act disclosures are inaccurate, misleading or confusing ordinarily will be for fact finder; however, where confusing, misleading and inaccurate character of disputed disclosure is so clear that it cannot reasonably be disputed, summary judgment for plaintiff is appropriate. Truth in Lending Act Section 102 et seq; Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z, Section 226.1 et seq., 15 U.S.C. Section 1700. Griggs v. Provident Consumer Discount Co. 503 F, Supp 246, appeal dismissed 672 F.2d 903, appeal after remand 680 F.2d 927, certiorari granted, vacated 103 S.Ct, 400, 459 U.S. 56, 74 L.Ed.2d 225, on remand 699 E2d 642.

Pursuant to regulations promulgated under Truth in Lending Act, violator of disclosure requirements is held to standard of strict liability, and therefore, borrower need not show that creditor in fact deceived biro by making substandard disclosures. Truth in Lending Act, Sections 102-186, as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601-1667(e); Truth in Lending Regulations, Regulation Z, Section 226,8(b-d), 15 U.S.C. Section 1700 Soils v. Fidelity Consumer Discount Co., 58 B.R. 983,

Once a creditor violates the Truth In Lending Act, no matter how technical violation appears, unless one of statutory defenses applies, Court has no discretion

in imposing liability. Truth in Lending Act, Sections 102-186 as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 1601-1667e. Solis v. Fidelity Consumer Discount Co. 58 BR, 983. A national bank has no power to lend its credit to any person or corporation. Bowen v. Needles Nat. Bank, 94 F 925, 36 CCA 553, certiorari denied in 20 S.Ct 1024, 176 US 682, 44 LED 637. A bank can lend its money, but not its credit. First Nat I Bank of Tallapoosa v. Monroe, 135 Ga 614, 69 SE 1124, 32 LRA (NS) 550. . . . the bank is allowed to lend money upon personal security; but it must be money that it loans, not its credit. Seligman v. Charlottesville Nat. Bank, 3 Hughes 647, Fed Case No.12, 642, 1039.

"Banking Associations from the very nature of their business are prohibited from lending credit." St. Louis Savings Bank vs. Parmalee 95 U. S. 557

The Daubert Facter

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee,v. No. 01-4953 PATRICK LEROY CRISP, Defendant-Appellant. Because the Plaintiff has failed to demonstrate either that its handwriting evidence satisfies the Daubert factors or that it is otherwise reliable, I would reverse the district courts decision to admit it as an abuse of discretion. See Starzecpyzel, 880 F. Supp. at 1028 (The Daubert hearing established that forensic document examination, which clothes itself with the trappings of science, does not rest on carefully articulated postulates, does not employ rigorous methodology, and has not convincingly documented the accuracy of its determinations.).

Ms. Willards report is included with this submission as Exhibit B and the Courts should note that all except one of Defendants signatures used to identify Defendant John A. Reed with all other document signatures are taken strictly from copies of copies, in violation of EvidR 1002 and as such all testimony of Plaintiffs expert is subject to and should be stricken from the record as inconclusive and irrelevant. Defendant John A. Reed also asks the Court whether Plaintiffs handwriting identification evidence was sufficiently reliable to be admissible pursuant to Rule 702 and Daubert. 3 The problems and concerns relating to the evidence of and writing experts exist for example in the

USA. Michael J. Saks3 gives the following background to the evidence of handwriting experts in the USA:
The opinions of experts upon handwriting, who testify from comparison only, are regarded by the courts as of uncertain value, because in so many cases where such evidence is received witnesses of equal honesty, intelligence and experience reach conclusions not only diametrically opposite, but always in favor of the party who called them. No forensic technique has taken more hits than handwriting analysis. In one particularly devastating federal ruling, United States v. Saelee (2001), the court noted that forensic handwriting analysis techniques had seldom been tested, and that what testing had been done "raises serious questions about the reliability of methods currently in use." The experts were frequently wrong - in one test "the true positive accuracy rate of laypersons was the same as that of handwriting examiners; both groups were correct 52 percent of the time." The most basic principles of handwriting analysis - for example, that everyone's handwriting is unique - had never been demonstrated. "The technique of comparing known writings with questioned documents appears to be entirely subjective and entirely lacking in controlling standards," the court wrote. Testimony by the government's handwriting expert was ruled inadmissible. In fact, two events have occurred in recent years which combined to stimulate a re-evaluation of handwriting identification expertise. The first was the 1989 publication of an article in the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, pointing out the lack of empirical validation of the claims of the expertise. The other was the U.S. Supreme Court's 1993 decision in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals,4 Inc., which rejected previous approaches to the acceptability of scientific expertise under the Federal Rules of Evidence. As the Supreme Court explained in Daubert and Kumho Tire, under Rule 702, the district judge must ensure that the expert's testimony is both relevant and reliable before it may be admitted, regardless of whether the testimony is scientific or based on technical or other specialized knowledge.5. When the expert's testimonyies "factual basis, data, principles, methods, or their application are called sufficiently into question, the trial judge must determine whether the testimony has a reliable basis in the knowledge and experience of the relevant discipline." Kumho, 526 U.S. at 14 (quoting Daubert, 509

U.S. at 592).
The court concluded that:

In performing this gate-keeping responsibility, the Supreme Court has articulated four factors the court may consider:
3

Science and nonscience in the courts: Daubert meets Handwriting identification expertise Iowa Law Review 82 IALR 21 October, 1996 3 See Fed. R. Evid. 702; Daubert, 509 U.S. at 579. 4 Supra. 5 See Kumho, 526 U.S. at 147; Daubert 509 U.S. at 589.

(1) Whether a theory or technique can be or has been tested; (2) Whether it has been subjected to peer review and publication; (3) Whether, in respect to a particular technique, there is a high known or potential rate of error and whether there are standards controlling the technique's operation; and (4) Whether the theory or technique enjoys general acceptance within a relevant scientific community. 526 U.S. at 149-50(citing Daubert, 509 U.S. at 592-94) (internal quotations marks and alterations omitted). These various factors are not an exhaustive list of all possible ways to assess reliability, nor must all of the factors be applied in every case. 526 U.S. at 150. Depending on the facts of the case and the type of testimony being challenged, it may very well be unreasonable to apply all of these factors. Id. at 151. Accordingly, the trial judge is given discretion in determining how and in what manner to make reliability determinations pursuant to Daubert.

Where, however, the Daubert factors are reasonable measures of the testimony's reliability, the Supreme Court has instructed that the trial judge should consider them. Id. at 152. While district courts have considerable leeway in determining how to assess reliability, they do not have the discretion to simply abandon their gate-keeping function by foregoing a reliability analysis. Id. at 158-59. (Scalia, J., concurring). Significantly, "in a particular case the failure to apply one or another of [the Daubert factors] may be unreasonable, and hence an abuse of discretion." Id. (Scalia, J., concurring).

Sanction Against Wells Fargo N.A.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Inner Loop
Woman sues over subprime loan, wins Washington Business Journal A Silver Spring woman who defaulted on a subprime loan has been awarded $1.25 million in damages from her lender, Wells Fargo Bank N.A. The borrower, Kimberly Thomas, was awarded $250,000 in damages and $1 million in punitive damages in Montgomery County Circuit Court July 31. A six-member jury convicted Wells Fargo of fraud, negligence and other charges for inflating Thomas income and assets on her mortgage application, and locking her into a bigger loan than she had applied for one she couldnt afford. Thomas case dates back to June 2006. At the time she was considering separating from her husband, so Thomas, a mother of two, decided to leave Silver Spring and buy a $505,000 house in Burtonsville. Her sister referred her to a Wells Fargo Home Mortgage office in Westminster, Md., where Thomas applied for a $535,000 loan, with a 7.13 percent interest rate. Roughly two to three weeks later, her loan agent submitted the application with a string of incorrect information, according to court documents. This included the Social Security number of Thomas sister, who had a higher credit rating; a monthly income of $14,000, which was nearly double Thomas actual income; and assets that included $30,000 cash at Constellation Federal Credit Union. According to the suit, Thomas never claimed to have this much money socked away, at Constellation or elsewhere. Thomas soon learned that her loan was at 10.625 percent interest, with a monthly payment of roughly $4,600, well above the $3,000 she was expecting. She signed the contract anyway, at the urging of her attorney at the time, figuring it was an honest mistake and Wells Fargo would correct it. http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/balbz.hancock08aug08,0,5770641.column Jury vindicates a homebuyer done wrong by her lender Jay Hancock August 8, 2008 Kimberly Thomas says she couldn't believe it when it came time to sign for the $505,000 house she had agreed to buy in Burtonsville. The interest rate on the Wells Fargo mortgage was 10.65 percent, not the 7.13 percent she says she agreed to. It was a risky adjustable rate, not the fixed rate that had been on a previous document she had seen. And instead of the interest-only loan she expected, the mortgage required immediate principal payments. The surprises boosted her monthly payment from an expected $3,000 to $4,667, leaving

little left from her salary for gas, food and the rest. "The mortgage amount was so ridiculous that I thought it was a mistake," she said. "I was depending on Wells Fargo to do the right thing. I make about $5,000 a month" after taxes. "My mortgage amount can't be what I make," she remembers thinking. "That would be wrong." Jay Hancock Recent columns

A Montgomery County jury thought it was wrong, too. Last week it awarded Thomas damages of $1.25 million, agreeing with her contentions that Wells Fargo changed mortgage documents at the last minute, altered her declared income and stuck her with an obligation that she didn't qualify for and that the bank should have known she couldn't meet. Blogs and traditional media have been full of talk about "predatory borrowers" who lie about their income, gleefully default on mortgages, live rent-free while lenders try to foreclose and presumably get belly laughs from being portrayed as victims. The case of Thomas v. Wells Fargo is an antidote to all that. In this instance - assuredly it stands for others - convincing evidence and a jury of six said that the bank, not Kimberly Thomas, is to blame for making her life hell, jeopardizing her top security clearance, wrecking her credit record and costing her tens of thousands in lawyer fees. It erodes the oft-repeated defense that banks would never knowingly make a bad loan. Wells Fargo says it did nothing wrong. "We believe the jury's decision in this case was a reaction to the negative attention the mortgage industry has received," spokeswoman Teri Schrettenbrunner said. "This decision runs counter to how we do business." The credit record of Kimberly Thomas, 41, was fine before she met Wells Fargo. She worked as a federal contractor on sensitive security matters and made $88,000 a year. In June 2006 she decided to separate from her husband, Gary Thomas, now 51, and move out of their Silver Spring house. The three-bedroom, two-story home she agreed to buy in Burtonsville was a stretch, but she thought the 7.13 percent rate and $3,000-a-month payment Wells Fargo showed her was doable even though it represented a huge portion of her income. Soon, however, she began to have second thoughts. In mid-July Gary had a minor stroke. Kimberly renewed her commitment to him and decided not to move out. The couple is still together. But her Wells Fargo loan agent, she said in an interview, said she couldn't cancel the deal without lots of litigation.

In court testimony, Wells Fargo denied telling Thomas she was locked in. At least she could handle the payments, she figured. She could resell the house. But when she came to the closing table at the end of July 2006, all her assumptions got trashed. Staring at her were mortgage documents with drastically different terms from the ones she said she expected. Neither her real estate agent nor the Wells Fargo loan agent made it to the closing, both sides agreed in court. It was 6 p.m. She couldn't get them on the phone. She didn't have a lawyer. Don't worry, said the title company guy overseeing the settlement. If Thomas hadn't signed a "truth in lending" disclosure with these new terms, she remembers him saying, then she wasn't bound by the contract. Wells Fargo could amend it later. That made sense. She hadn't agreed to this. And why would Wells Fargo issue a mortgage she couldn't afford? Banks were in business to get paid back. "She honestly believed there was a mistake in the terms that could be fixed after the fact," said Brian M. Maul, her Frederick-based lawyer. She signed dozens of documents that day, including many she didn't read carefully. One, if she had only known it, was a truth-in-lending consent with the higher mortgage terms, according to documentary evidence. In court, Wells Fargo said that Thomas had repeatedly been told about changes in her loan terms in previous weeks - in a fax, in the mail and on the phone. She denies that. Even so, her signature on the closing documents showed she approved, Wells Fargo argued. Both sides agree that she immediately and repeatedly contacted the bank to correct the problem, belying any notion that she intended to default all along or was on a joy ride. But what she and many others didn't understand was that Wells Fargo and other companies weren't especially worried about whether the loans would be repaid. In what turned out to be the hallmark of the Great 2000s Real Estate Bubble, they were immediately reselling the notes, booking fat profits on origination fees and ignoring what happened later. (It's unclear whether Thomas' mortgage was sold.) The Wells Fargo loan officer, according to court testimony, made between $2,000 and $3,000 on each mortgage she issued, whether it turned out good or bad. Thomas later discovered the bank had listed her monthly income on loan documents as $14,000 - far more than she really made, she said in an interview. In court, Wells Fargo argued - correctly - that she was contemplating taking a new job at higher pay. Even so, the new job wouldn't have paid close to $14,000 a month, said Maul, her lawyer. And Wells Fargo knew before closing that she didn't accept the job, he added. In any event, the lack of actual payroll records proving these things wasn't a problem in

the insane mortgage market of 2006. The 10.65 percent, $4,667-a-month Wells Fargo note never got modified. To the contrary, Thomas said, Wells Fargo referred her to another company that could supposedly extend a new mortgage to pay it off. "How on earth did you ever get a loan of this size?" said the new loan officer, she recalled. "We can't refinance you because you don't make enough. You should never have gotten a loan this size." "At that point," Thomas says, "I knew I was messed up." She never moved into the house. She never made a single mortgage payment. She ended up spending more than $50,000 on lawyers and expert witnesses to fend off foreclosure and seek legal redress from Wells Fargo. And it took her more than a year to sell the house - at a $95,000 loss. Her heart began racing. She couldn't sleep. Her credit record was a shambles. When she and Gary refinanced their Silver Spring house, they had to leave her name off the mortgage. The keepers of the nation's secrets are naturally reluctant to share them with deadbeats, and that's what she had become. She worried about her security clearance. The court victory brings Kimberly Thomas vindication and compensation, although Wells Fargo vows to "aggressively appeal." For everybody else, it sheds light on just how dicey and questionable the mortgage business became before the whole thing imploded. jay.hancock@baltsun.com http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/11075/Brian-Maul-Wins-Sub-PrimeMortgage.html Attorney Brian Maul Wins Big for Sub Prime Mortgage Victim August 13, 2008. By Brenda Craig Frederick, MD: Attorney Brian Maul says he has had several phone calls this week from people who would like his help, after he won a whooping $1.25 million in compensatory and punitive damages at trial against the Wells Fargo Bank on behalf of woman who was a victim of the sub prime mortgage debacle. I am sure there are others out there who went through the same or similar situations. It probably goes without saying that there are other lenders that had the same kind of lending practices, says Brian Maul from his office in Frederick, Maryland. If there are other stories that match Kimberly Thomass situation, 28-yearold Brian Maul may turn out to be a very busy young lawyer.

Kimberly Thomas works as an independent contractor doing research for the federal government, and earns about $90 thousand a year. When she approached the Wells Fargo Bank in 2006 to get a mortgage, she made several things clear. She wanted a fixed rate mortgage, and she could not afford monthly payments in excess of $3000 a month. From the bank documents we have seen, says Brian Maul, there is no way she would have qualified for any kind of mortgage under those terms. The case shines a light on just how the sub prime mortgage industry strangled so many Americans. Loan officers worked strictly on commission at Wells Fargo, says Maul. Some of them, in the sub prime heyday, would typically close three to six deals a month. For each mortgage they sold, they earned $2000. In other words, loan officers had a big incentive to make sure people qualified for mortgages, even when it was clear they did not. In Kimberley Thomass case, says Maul the loan officer recorded her income as $157 thousand a year, and even though Thomas only had $3000 in her bank account, the loan officer wrote down $30 thousand. The 2005 tax return that Kimberly Thomas provided, showing her income to be $85 thousand dollars a year, was disregarded. The day she went to sign the mortgage, Thomas saw that the interest would be ten percent, not the seven percent she was expecting. The payments would be $4700 a month, not the $3000 she told the bank she could afford. She thought there must be some mistake, says Maul, but everyone was urging her to sign the papers, and so she did. Kimberly Thomass sub prime nightmare was just getting started. The next day, Thomas called the bank and said she thought there must be some mistake. They said they would look into it, says Maul, But they never did. Thomas never moved into the house, and a week after she signed the mortgage, she put the house up for sale. She knew she couldnt make the payments, says Maul. After a year, with the bank constantly threatening to foreclose, and making repeated collection calls, Thomas finally managed to sell the house, but for $90 thousand less than she paid for it. Thomas clearly went through the sub prime mortgage meat grinder. She was under so much pressure from the situation she was taking medication

and receiving counseling. The jury awarded her $250 thousand in compensatory damages for her pain and suffering. The $1 million was for punitive damages. These mortgages were being sold on the secondary mortgage market, says Maul, so banks didnt really care whether the person could afford to pay or not.

Brian Maul received his B.A. with Distinction from the University of Delaware in 1997. He earned his J.D. from the Washington College of Law of American University in 2000. He became an associate with Gordon & Simmons in 2003.http://www.gordonsimmons.com/news.htm

Recent News: Highlights 2008 Ruling on the Jan Pottker, et al. v. Kenneth J. Feld, et al. motions for summary judgment Judge Rules on Key Motions in Circus Case: On August 14, 2008, the Honorable Brook Hedge for the Superior Court for the District of Columbia Superior Courts civil division ruled on motions that had been pending for several years, clearing a path for the almost nine-year-old case, Jan Pottker, et al. vs. Kenneth J. Feld, et al., to go to trial. The Court ruled that Jan Pottker had presented evidence leading to undisputed facts [that] form a sufficient basis to deny judgment to the defendants on all of the counts brought by Pottker and WCI [her writing company] against the Feld defendants. These undisputed facts are the following: (1) [Kenneth] Feld did not want Pottker to write about his family or the circus; (2) Feld wanted Pottker diverted from writing about the circus; (3) Feld contacted [Clair] George [former Deputy Director of (covert) Operations at the Central Intelligence Agency] to commission the writing of a favorable book about the circus to be used if Pottker appeared able to publish her proposed book on the circus; (4) George, with Felds knowledge, consent and money, hired [Robert] Eringer to carry out the twin goals to see to the production of the shadow book and to divert Pottker from writing about the circus; (5) Eringer sought out and befriended Pottker to obtain information about her writing and plans to secure her trust as to his value to her in the publishing world so that he could provide information to Feld; (6) Eringer reported his information and findings to George through memoranda and dixcussions; (7) Eringer received the money he needed to carry out plans to divert, such as securing the money from Feld entities to partner with National Press Books to co-publish the Mars family book, Crisis in Candyland, by providing PPB the money that went for Pottkers advance and securing the right to edit the book, but all in confidence with NPB without Pottkers knowledge; (8) Eringer entered into a written agreement with Pottker to publish Celebrity

Washington, but made editorial suggestions that, under any reasonable interpretation, were designed, at best, to impede or delay the publication; and (9) Eringer had to listen to all of Pottkers life plans because he was paid to do that. Roger Simmons | August 2008 | | Dirty secrets under the big top | By Steven T. Jones | August 13, 2008 |

| By Jeff Stein | August 15, 2008 | A Maryland Jury Finds Fraud in the Home Mortgage Market On July 31, a civil jury in Montgomery County, Maryland, Kimberly Thomas v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Civ. No. 279370-V, rendered a verdict for $1,250,000 in damages ($250,000 compensatory and $1,000,000 punitive) against Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., for defrauding a home buyer who was seeking a mortgage loan. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., made an excessive loan at a higher than promised interest rate to Ms. Kimberly Thomas. In the course of the loan approval, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., was found to have engaged in fraudulent activity by misrepresenting income and assets of Ms. Thomas in order to justify a loan that she could not afford and could not repay in order to earn a commission on the transaction. In conducting its deliberations, the jury was provided evidence from which it could find that Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., did not comply with its own consumer mortgage loan policies, its own ethical standards and requirements and abused its position with respect to commonly used banking practices governing loan standards in the consumer area. Representing Ms. Thomas in the trial was Brian Maul of the Frederick, Maryland law firm of Gordon & Simmons, LLC. Other counsel at Gordon & Simmons who worked on the case were lead counsel, Roger C. Simmons, and Karen H. Alegi. | Brian Maul | July 2008 |

Exhibit L Acculink Documents 1

Exhibit L Acculink Documents 2

Exhibit L Acculink Documents 3

Exhibit L Acculink Documents 4