Will we get resolution and restitution or band-aid solutions?

January 14, 2008

By Wendy Clardy (View author info)

I was reading an article from The Plain Dealer News (Cleveland, Ohio) on the internet, and Chief Justice Thomas Moyer has come up with a plan concerning fraud, and predatory lending in Ohio; the focus is our economy, because it is at risk.

In the mean time, all attorneys in Ohio have been summoned to give their legal assistance for free to help the citizens of Ohio, that lost homes, and those that are on verge of losing their homes due to more foreclosures.

What is the catch? The attorneys were called to give free legal assistance to the people, but only assist "in general?" What types of help can an individual get that is in a crisis that is only in general? Is this another band-aid solution, to give the suffering Ohioans temporary relief, from deep cut wounds that need stitches? I don't think that a band-aid can help this one.


Moreover, is this help a part of the plan to show that somebody truly cares about what is happening to our communities and families here in Ohio? Or to show up the attorneys who once would not lift a finger to represent without big bucks, and excuse statements that a case is "too complicated" is now to have a heart and give for free their services.


According to Gabriel Baird a reporter who posted this article I read on the internet December 21, 2007, titled "Homeowners in foreclosure need free legal help, Ohio's top judge says" it is stated that Court Spokesman Chris Davey says, "This does not mean Moyer or the court believes lawyers have been slacking on this aspect of their professional code. Instead, it is more of a regular reminder of the importance of this work. Providing free legal counsel has been a professional ideal for lawyers going back centuries. Law schools across the nation encourage or even require their students to do some pro bono work."

There is a number for those to call if they are sure they are victims of predatory lending and/or fraud. I called this 1-877-244-6446 number for help on two separate occasions, there were two different representatives that I talked to about my surety of being a victim to predatory lending and fraud; this particular representative (name omitted) talked about a Senate Bill (185) that was passed January of 2007, and that there was only so much that could be done for my situation. In addition, that they were not helping those that had been victimized by predatory lending or fraud, prior to this passed law from January of 2007. Furthermore, it was stated that they are only helping those that are at risk/victims of predatory lending or fraud after this passed law.

The second representative gave me website information to www.ag4ohio.gov to complete a complaint form after telling her that I was positive that my home was taken in foreclosure litigation by false claims and fraud 3yrs prior to the this law that was passed.


How can those that are put in position to be our leaders, and protectors justify their actions for turning their backs on the people, by bargaining for a general solution to a major epidemic that need justice and retribution? The individuals are being exposed for their "intents of fraud" and those with documents that can prove this fraud should be given monetary help for sustained injuries on the count of fraud and predatory lending.

We need resolution to a problem that had been in existence for many years; and prior to this law that was just passed last year. It is unjust to only help those that are at risk after a law has passed. It leaves one to think that since a law just passed against such criminal behavior, it was ok to steal our homes, because there was no law before, and those prior to that law are left to fall through the cracks?

To give general help to the masses is not enough to stop the domino affect of homelessness due to fraud and predatory lending that is happening everywhere. We the people need more than general help here in Ohio. We need serious intervention and prevention against those that have been above the law, allowing such matters as mortgage fraud and predatory lending to run wild without a mediator. We are only the consumers; we did not create this problem. The economy is bad because of the predators lending services; they are the ones that have all of our money.

We need more than a general fix it remedy. We need resolution, restitution, and not a band-aid solution. Especially, for those that have their documents to prove there has been a wrong done by our local, state and government leaders. We need a law that is in favor of the people, and a law passed to audit civil court records to correct the damage that have victimized our communities, families homes and finances, because of greed. The law was created to protect the people and to have justice, the law is not just for the rich, but it is for the poor as well.

Our top Judge in Supreme Court of Ohio has created various committees to carry out the basic principles of his plan. In the meantime, individuals that are in need are to call their state and local bar associations to be pointed in the right direction; or call the number stated above if you are certain you are a victim to fraud or predatory lending.


You decide for yourselves, if you are being turned away because you have had your house taken by foreclosure fraud, or predatory lending, prior to a law that have been passed in January of 2007. I have put my put my complaint in to see if there will be any help in my case regardless.


We need real solutions to defeat a monster that is on the loose, called mortgage servicing fraud and predatory lending--the intentions of the predators need to be dealt with. Restore our finances, our homes, our communities, and our lives back to us. We don't want another band-aid solution. We need justice, resolution and restitution.

For more information please refer to this website below.

blog.cleveland.com/pdworld/2007/12/homeowners_in_foreclosure_need.html