Yesterday, I recieved a tip from an Appraiser - "Whistle-blower case targets big banks over fees on refinancings for veterans" - naming Wells Fargo as a defendant. As they say, timing is everything, because earlier today, #OccupyMN was going to march on Wells Fargo!
First, the lawsuit:
Whistle-blower case targets big banks over fees on refinancings for veterans
by KERRI PANCHUK Wednesday, October 5th, 2011
A pending whistle-blower lawsuit accuses 13 banks with charging military veterans hidden fees on mortgage refinancing transactions.
Some of the nation's big banks — Wells Fargo (WFC: 26.15 +0.08%), Bank of America Corp. (BAC: 6.40 +1.91%), and JPMorgan Chase (JPM: 32.3901 +0.28%)— are listed as defendants in the case, along with ten others.
The case was filed in 2006, but the court unsealed it recently, according to parties familiar with the matter. Bank of America declined to comment, while JPMorgan and Wells Fargo couldn't be immediately reached.
Filed in the U.S. Northern District of Georgia – Atlanta Division, the whistle-blower lawsuit claims the defendants hid illegal fees when refinancing veterans' mortgages that were insured by the government to provide the servicemembers with special loan products.
The plaintiffs claim 13 lenders violated a federal statute that prevents financial agencies from imposing "charges or fees against the borrower in excess of those permissible by law."
(more, at HousingWire.com; copy of lawsuit at VAMortgageFraud.com)
How's THAT for "screwing supporting the troops" --- real "patriotic", eh?
So, again, with the Wells Fargo, et al bankster lawsuit in mind, I figured I'd head downtown Minneapolis and watch the OccupyMN.org March On Wells Fargo. Oh - I figured I'd take a few pictures, too - let's look!!!
(there's more...)
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy At the #OWS People's Plaza in Mpls; march on #Banksters #WellsFargo coming up! #StribPol #StribBiz #1U http://twitpic.com/...
4 hours ago
The picture!
Now, you'll hear Right Wing Nut Jobs talking about thugs 'n such at these Occupations; as usual, reasonable people have no reason to believe what GOPers say. These signs were all over the place; cops 'n duputies told me those attending have been VERY well behaved - respectful and orderly. No suprise there!
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy "Banks got bailed out, we got sold out" #OWS in Mpls #Banksters #StribPol #StribBiz #1U http://twitpic.com/...
3 hours ago
The picture!
And yep! The crowd was yelling "banks got bailed out; we got sold out." 'Cause, they did and we did. Oh - and don't forget; Veterans got cheated. Kinda makes ya wonder who else the Banksters cheated, don't it?
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy Guy walking around w/ a #BradleeDean shirt & camcorder at #OWS People's Plaza #StribPol http://twitpic.com/...
3 hours ago
The picture!
OK, the guy looked and acted like a RWNJ taking pictures o' the participants; so I asked him. He denied it; denied knowing Bradlee Dean - said he just bought the shirt 'cause he's a Christian and liked the message RWNJ Bradlee Dean's Street Minions gave him. I told him Christians don't trust Pharisee's, so don't trust Bradlee Dean. Since there was a reasonable doubt that they guy was a RWNJ Tracker, I'm not posting the clear shot I got o' the guy. Yet.
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy At #Banksters #WellsFargo Mpls office, #OccupyMN fills lobby #StribPol #StribBiz #1U http://twitpic.com/...
3 hours ago
The picture!
OK, I'm not a professional pho-tog. (Heck), I'm not even a professional journalist - I'm a pundit. Some times my pictures suck; sometimes my writing sucks. So it goes.
Anyway, the protestors packed the lobby at Wells Fargo Corporate HQ in downtown Minneapolis; that's a replica Wells Fargo stage coach in the middle o' the crowd. Wish it were a better pic, but hey - so it goes.
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy #OccupyMN leaves #Banksters #WellsFargo HQ shouting "we'll be back!" #OWS #StribBiz #StribPol #1U http://twitpic.com/...
3 hours ago
The picture!
Pretty much says it all!
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy #OccupyMN is now basing for #TCFBank; here's a parting shot from #Banksters #WellsFargo: #OWS #StribBiz #StribPol #1U http://twitpic.com/...
3 hours ago
The picture!
Huh??!? "Greed Over People"? Well, ok - but I always say "GOP stands for Greed Over Principles" - which is why I had to take that pic!
The tweet:
TwoPuttTommy Another picture from #OccupyMN at #Banksters #WellsFargo HQ today #1U #StribBiz #StribPol http://twitpic.com/...
2 hours ago
The picture!
Ruh - roh... Seems that that "another picture" is one I already tweeted... Oh, well - like I said: I'm not a pro, and so it goes.
Here's a picture I didn't tweet:
Like I said, those "keep it peaceful" signs were all over the place. And the protesters are.
If you get a chance to get to "The People's Plaza" between the Hennepin County Government Center and minneapolis City Hall, do it.
The Banksters have been screwing us all, and they need to be held accountible.
Click here for the location.
And maybe, just maybe, you'll see me there, too.
# # #
Additional Resources:
OccupyMN.org
mnFairEconomy.org
TakeActionMN.org
Bonus picture!
This nice lady didn't want her face in the picture; as usual, The Dude Abides.