Schuette sends subpoenas to mortgage processors

LANSING (AP) -- Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said Wednesday that he subpoenaed several mortgage processors as his office expands its investigation into questionable mortgage documentation practices. Schuette said criminal investigative subpoenas were sent to four companies, which have until June 30 to provide documents "regarding the mortgage processing companies' operations in relation to foreclosure and/or bankruptcy-related document processing," Schuette's office said in a prepared statement. "Allegations of forged mortgage documents are very serious and require a thorough investigation," Schuette said in the statement. "I will continue to work closely with federal and local authorities to find answers on behalf of Michigan homeowners. Schuette is investigating whether some mortgage processing companies permitted so-called robo-signing -- approving documents in foreclosures without actually reading them -- on legal documents tied to home foreclosures. He also is working with other states' attorneys general in a national workgroup examining mortgage lending practices. Schuette said the companies are affiliated and lists them as Lender Processing Services Inc., Fidelity National Financial Inc., CT Corporation System, and DocX. The Associated Press left email or phone messages seeking comment after business hours Wednesday for Lender Processing Services and Fidelity National Financial, both based in Jacksonville, Fla. There was no answer Wednesday evening at the New York offices of CT Corporation System. DocX, which The Florida Times-Union of Jacksonville identifies as a Lender Processing Services subsidiary based in Alpharetta, Ga., doesn't have a listed telephone number in Alpharetta. Schuette said any current or former mortgage servicing company employees who know of unlawful practices related to mortgage servicing should contact his office. The subpoenas were approved by an Ingham County judge Monday. ---------- Online: Michigan attorney general's office: http://www.michigan.gov/ag Published: Fri, Jun 17, 2011