Woman Sues Target and Law Firm re 'False Affidavit Factory' Allegedly Used in Consumer Debt Cases
A Pennsylvania woman has filed a federal suit against Target Corp. and the retailer’s law firm, Patenaude & Felix, alleging that she and other consumers have been harmed by a “false affidavit factory” they allegedly used to obtain robo-signed affidavits supporting debt-collection suits by a banking subsidiary.
Vicki Higgins seeks class action status for the suit, which was filed in Pittsburgh, as well as damages for herself and others who she says were harmed as a result of Target National Bank collection cases based on allegedly false and fraudulent affidavits, reports the Associated Press.
“TNB took the false and misleading affidavits and utilized them to secure judgments against hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of alleged debtors,” the suit contends. It asserts claims for alleged violation of a federal racketeering statute and Pennsylvania fair credit law.
Officials with Target, the bank and the law firm did not immediately respond to the news agency’s requests for comment.
