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Fifth Third Bank Agrees to Settle Extensive Mortgage Fraud Allegations

In another case involving costly mortgage fraud, Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bancorp recently settled False Claims Act allegations for $85 million.[1. United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York. “Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces $85 Million Settlement With Fifth Third Bancorp Over Failures To Self-Report Defective Mortgage Loans To FHA.” Justice.gov. http://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/manhattan-us-attorney-announces-85-million-settlement-fifth-third-bancorp-over-failures […]

Walter Investment Management Corporation Settles Mortgage Fraud Case for $29 Million

In yet another mortgage fraud case, Walter Investment Management Corporation (Walter Investment) has agreed to pay over $29 million to resolve allegations it falsely certified residential home mortgages under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)[1] program. The alleged scheme was uncovered following a […]

First Tennessee Bank Agrees to Staggering Quarter-Billion Dollar Mortgage Fraud Settlement

Mortgage fraud continues to plague the government’s anti-fraud task forces, notwithstanding the widespread 2008 economic downturn caused in part by various residential underwriting antics by big name lenders. Having apparently not learned the lesson, Nashville-based First Tennessee Bank recently settled similar claims of mortgage fraud for a whopping $212 million, […]

MetLife Home Loans LLC to Settle Mortgage Fraud Case for $125 Million

In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, which was primarily fueled by the housing bubble burst, many less-than-lawful residential home loan lenders have faced serious civil and criminal penalties for participating in shoddy underwriting practices, robo-signing, lax credit reviews, and outright fraud. Over the past several years, the U.S. […]

Court’s Analysis Spells Victory for Bibby Relators Following Contested False Claims Act Reward

Over the last few posts, we have engaged in an in-depth look at a relatively rare issue involving confidentiality during the investigative stage of a False Claims Act whistleblower case. The case, known as United States ex rel. Bibby v. Wells Fargo, N.A., has garnered some national attention as the […]