Real Estate & Property Law

Two lawyers among 11 federally indicted re massive alleged HOA corruption scheme

Two Las Vegas lawyers were among 11 defendants federally indicted Tuesday in an alleged massive scheme to take over area homeowner associations. Keith Gregory and Barry Levinson and the other nine defendants were all charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud. Some defendants face additional…

Jan 16, 2013 8:29 PM CST

‘Taking what?’ Scalia objection could mean loss for developer objecting to government ‘shakedown’

The government appeared to have the upper hand when a property-rights lawyer argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday that monetary conditions on the development of Florida land amounted to an unconstitutional taking. The Pacific Legal Foundation, representing a would-be developer, sought to expand Supreme Court precedent restricting excessive…

Jan 16, 2013 5:06 PM CST

Once-merged law firms separate, citing conflicts

When Paul Sciocchetti and Tony Ianniello merged their upstate New York law firms in late 2011, they expected Ianniello Anderson Sciocchetti & Reilly to be more successful together than they had been as separate entities. But in fact, in a struggling real estate market, the 15 attorneys in the merged…

Jan 16, 2013 4:59 PM CST

Lawyer takes plea in $30M federal mortgage fraud case

A Las Vegas lawyer has pleaded guilty to a felony bank fraud conspiracy charge concerning his role in a mortgage scheme that cost lenders $30 million, according to federal prosecutors. Gerry Zobrist was accused of participating in a scheme in which federal authorities said banks were persuaded by misrepresentations to…

Jan 15, 2013 6:40 PM CST

Alcatraz water tower’s $1.5M renovation includes restoration of graffiti

Ordinarily, it is a federal crime to scribble graffiti on federal property. But as part of a $1.5 million renovation of a water tower at Alcatraz, an infamous former prison on an island near San Francisco, the National Park Service not only agreed that graffiti from a historic American Indian…

Jan 14, 2013 9:20 PM CST

Report: Prominent Lawyer Took Teens’ Keys, But Got Court Summons re Alcohol-Fueled New Year’s Party

A prominent Massachusetts lawyer is facing a court summons after police were called to her home on New Year’s Eve, just after 2013 began. Tracy A. Miner, 54, who chairs the white-collar criminal defense practice at Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, must appear with her daughter, 17, and…

Jan 10, 2013 7:56 PM CST

Closing Attorney to Take Plea in Federal Mortgage Fraud Case, Forfeit $269K

A real estate closing attorney will take a plea in a federal mortgage fraud case that was unsealed last week in Birmingham, Ala. Kelvin Leonard Davis, 41, has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of wire fraud, concerning transactions in which he submitted fraudulent documents to lenders to obtain…

Jan 9, 2013 6:16 PM CST

Owner of Hepburn Estate Loses Claim that Historic Commission Caused Him Emotional Distress

Corrected: A developer who owns the Connecticut estate of Katharine Hepburn won’t be able to pursue a counterclaim against a historic commission that alleged the agency’s decision on two granite posts exceeded its powers and caused emotional distress. Frank Sciame built the posts at the end of his driveway 5…

Jan 9, 2013 12:00 PM CST

At First Awarded for Natural Garden, Then Ticketed and Fined $640, Chicago Woman Plans Appeal

A Chicago woman who received an award from the city for an eco-friendly front garden featuring native plants, followed by a municipal citation for allowing “weeds” to grow above 10 inches, has decided to appeal the $640 fine she received at a Nov. 29 administrative hearing. Initially, Kathy Cummings hesitated…

Jan 8, 2013 4:42 PM CST

Fannie Mae Reaches $20B Settlement with Banks; Lawyers Lose Jobs

A $20 billion agreement announced on Monday between Fannie Mae and major banks is bad news for lawyers and contract workers hired to review foreclosure irregularities. Promontory Financial Group was among the companies hired to evaluate robo-signing and other irregularities in a process set up in 2011, the Wall Street…

Jan 8, 2013 3:31 PM CST

Head of Fla. Foreclosure Mill Firm Agrees to Shut Down Law Practice

The head of one of Florida’s well-known so-called foreclosure mill law firms has agreed to state bar discipline that will require him to close down his law office. Marshall C. Watson has also agreed to a 91-day suspension, which will require approval by the state supreme court before he can…

Jan 7, 2013 8:20 PM CST

DC Circuit OKs Surviving-Spouse Suit re HUD Reverse-Mortgage Rules Said to Promote Foreclosure

A lawsuit contending that federal regulations contravene legislative intent by encouraging the foreclosure of reverse mortgages against borrowers’ surviving spouses has been given a green light by a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. Reversing a lower court’s dismissal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled Friday…

Jan 4, 2013 6:50 PM CST

Dorsey & Whitney Faces Malpractice Suit Over Dual Representation in Small Real Estate Matter

A well-known Minneapolis-based international law firm is facing a malpractice suit over a former associate’s representation of both parties in the purchase of an ownership share in a Wisconsin bed-and-breakfast. The purchasers, who are represented by Robins Kaplan Miller & Ciresi, have sued Dorsey & Whitney, contending that they weren’t…

Jan 4, 2013 5:23 PM CST

Mortgage Meltdown Cases May Be Affected by Decision on Timing of SEC Suits

The U.S. Supreme Court will hold oral arguments Tuesday in a case that could have a big impact on the government’s ability to bring fraud cases seeking civil penalties, including cases involving risky mortgage practices. The issue before the court considers the statute of limitations period in a civil fraud…

Jan 4, 2013 12:00 PM CST

Awarded by City of Chicago for Natural Garden, Resident Is Also Cited by City for Weeds, Fined $640

Kathy Cummings went to considerable trouble to create a lovely natural garden in the front yard of her Chicago home, as the city recognized in 2004 when then-Mayor Richard Daley awarded her a first-prize plaque in a citywide naturalized landscapes contest. However, a city code inspector didn’t see the yard…

Jan 2, 2013 10:58 PM CST