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The investigations are targeted at Fort Lauderdale-based The Law Offices of Marshall C. Watson, P.A.; Tampa-based Shapiro & Fishman, LLP; and Plantation-based The Law Offices of David J. Stern, P.A. The Attorney General previously opened investigations into Florida Default Law Group, a foreclosure firm based in Tampa, and Jacksonville-based Fidelity National Financial. Read: Florida investigating 'bogus' foreclosure records Stern’s practice was sued last month in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, by Fort Lauderdale attorney Kenneth Eric Trent, who represents South Florida resident Ignacio Damian Figueroa and is seeking class-action status. In the suit, Trent says that Stern’s law firm generated fraudulent mortgage assignments when pursuing foreclosures, something the suit says violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. “There’s an intentional haze that no one can get through,” said Trent. “It’s designed to hide the fact that no one can prove who owns these mortgages.” Because many mortgages have been bought and sold by different institutions multiple times, paperwork involved in the process to obtain foreclosure judgements is often missing. Trent said Stern’s firm overcame that obstacle by creating an assignment, which was signed by a Stern employee instead of a representative of the lender attempting to foreclose. Trent said news of the Attorney General’s investigation added legitimacy to his case. “It’s a rotation of the snowball that will hopefully lead to the avalanche that will force wide-spread change in Florida’s foreclosure practices,” he said. The Attorney General’s office said it served subpoenas on the three firms and was also investigating whether or not the firms had created affiliated companies outside the United States where the documents were prepared. “Our primary concern is that Florida homeowners have access to due process,” said Sandi Copes, a spokesperson for the Attorney General’s office. « Jacksonville workers saw income drop in 2009 390 of 417 Second Harvest: A re-tooled organization ready to take on hunger challenges » More from this blog Wall Street Journal: Jaguars among least-popular NFL teams Cornerstone looking to step up job-growth efforts New York Times: Florida and the 'foreclosure express' Remembering Burger King's Jacksonville roots Florida growing again Most Popular Blogs College Game Tracker Tim Tebow’s time will come, just hopefully not Sunday Gene Frenette: Problems selling tickets in Southern California, too Answering questions on JEA billing Pod Rods: The Dodge Durango returns for 2011 Related terms: Abel HardingColumnistsBusinessBusiness Flag as offensive Average: 5Rating: 5 (1 vote) Comments (4) Glad to see... By becker10 | 08/11/10 - 07:39 am ...esquires put in the hot seat. I thought the "brotherhood" protected each other to prevent this from happening. Looks like each to his own now LOL It is me, or does it seem like the mortgage fraud crisis has brought corruption front and center. Maybe the collapse will help curve it, or at least it will go underground until this settles down and the white collar thieves are back in business. Although, McCollum seem to be jumping on the bandwagon - could this be a political move to make himself look better before the primaries? he is the good guy going after the bad guys? People always seem to have some angle. Login or register to post commentsFlag as offensiveFinally! By Compleat Consulting Group | 08/11/10 - 12:35 pm It’s about time an investigation started. Our firm has been finding fraud and errors in most of the mortgage documents and foreclosure files we review. Not just residential loans but also in commercial loans. Congratulations to all the dedicated foreclosure fighters out there! Rick WallLogin or register to post commentsFlag as offensiveLPS also under review by the FL Attorney General's Office By mturner | 08/11/10 - 01:57 pm Case Number: L10-3-1094 From the FL Attorney General Office Subject of investigation: Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and FNF Capital Leasing, Inc. a/k/a Lender Processing Services, Inc., and a/k/a and d/b/a Docx, LLC., a foreign corporation Subject's address: 601 Riverside Avenue Jacksonville Florida 32204 LPS is the puppetmaster linking each one of these law firms together. The AG office is just putting the pieces of the puzzle together to cement a case against LPS. The US Attorney General Office is also on LPS. Federal BK cases have identified "bogus" Assignment of Mortgage documents that were executed by LPS employees. see articles below American Banker http://www.americanbanker.com/issues/175_114/foreclosure-challenges-1020... Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052702303450704575160... Login or register to post commentsFlag as offensiveAnother FRAUD on the COURT in FLORIDA By DinSFLA | 08/13/10 - 10:39 am Dismissed With PREJUDICE! Court finds convincing evidence that Wamu, Chase and Fishman & Shapiro committed fraud on this court! http://stopforeclosurefraud.com/2010/08/13/fraud-on-the-court-wamu-chase... Login or register to post commentsFlag as offensive Talk of the Town Will you root for Tebow or Jags? 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