Foreclosure mess prompts growing number of public officials to slow down process

[Xipe Totec]

One month ago, the city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs of Cook County became a foreclosure-free zone. It wasn't the banks or judges that instituted the moratorium, because they were still moving cases forward at a rapid clip. The holdup was elsewhere: at the sheriff's office.

Sheriff Thomas J. Dart, whose office is responsible for physically evicting delinquent homeowners, announced Oct. 19 that his deputies would "no longer be doing the banks' work for them anymore."

"I can't possibly be expected to evict people from their homes when the banks themselves can't say for sure everything was done properly," he explained.

After reading about problems such as banks "robo-signing" foreclosure documents without verifying their accuracy, Dart asked that attorneys for mortgage companies sign something personally confirming that evictions are justified. None did. So Dart has refused to honor their requests.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/11/AR2010111107518.html

[Sherman A1]

1. Excellent!

I think that the Sheriff is doing the right thing both for the people facing foreclosure, the banks and the law.

The paperwork needs to be in order for this legal procedure to proceed. If there is any doubt he needs to refuse. Ultimately it is in the banks best interest as well (although they may not believe so) as there will be no later shadow of improper procedure on the process.

[Xipe Totec]

2. I agree

It is telling, that the lawyers refused to put their necks on the line, certifying that the evictions are legit.

[glitch]

3. Bless these honest people. nt

[ellenfl]

4. people in the states that went repub this year should be

hearing all of this. let them see how other states are looking out for the little guy against the banksters but their state (including mine) is not. this should be good for dems in state elections next go round.

ellen fl