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"Foreclosure Mill" Employees Dressed Up As Victims Of Foreclosure For Halloween
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 29, 2011
Modified Oct 29, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Oct 29, 2011
Modified Oct 29, 2011
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Need a HILARIOUS last-minute Halloween costume this weekend? How about a foreclosed home? Or even funnier, the ex-homeowners and currently-homeless families who have seen their dreams shattered by cruel, insouciant banks and law firms specializing in kicking those people out as fast as possible! A former employee of the largest "foreclosure mill" in New York sent the Times photos of their Halloween party last year, and apparently some of the workers actually did this. Prepare to choke back some bile/tears!
Joe Nocera corresponded with the "appalled" former employee the Buffalo law firm of Steven J. Baum, who described a "cavalier attitude" amongst the workforce there. The firm is currently under investigation by Eric Schneiderman, and settled a DOJ investigation for $2 million over whether they had "filed misleading pleadings, affidavits, and mortgage assignments in the state and federal courts in New York."
A State Supreme Court judge has described the law firm as "operating in a parallel mortgage universe, unrelated to the real universe." Employees responded soberly by dressing up as that very judge for Halloween. A flack told Nocera, "“It has been suggested that some employees dress in ... attire that mocks or attempts to belittle the plight of those who have lost their homes. Nothing could be further from the truth.” They go on to claim that the article is “another attempt by The New York Times to attack our firm and our work.”
So if you're stuck thinking about that perfect costume idea, go as an employee of the law firm of Steven J. Baum: we can think of nothing more frightening or revolting then that.
Tagged
appalling behavior
economy
eric schneiderman
foreclosure
foreclosure mills
halloween
poverty
sad stories
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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