News By Edition

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a final rule that establishes the framework for access to and protection of beneficial ownership information.

The Arizona Legislature is considering the Property Equity Protection Act.

In its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Fidelity National Financial Inc. stated the November cybersecurity incident that disrupted its business involved a data breach that potentially impacted 1.3 million consumers.

The Florida Legislature is considering legislation that would provide that certain rights are extinguished for the redevelopment of a certain portion of a lake that meets certain criteria if the redevelopment is for the purpose of developing affordable housing.

Missouri Gov. Michael Parson issued Executive Order 1, requiring the state’s department of agriculture to establish rules regarding acquisitions of agricultural land by foreign businesses.

A developer sued parties to property sales he alleged involved funds stolen after a settlement he made with the government.

The Nebraska Legislature introduced legislation that would adopt the Uniform Unlawful Restrictions in Land Records Act.

The Washington State Legislature is considering legislation that would modify laws related to adverse possession to protect legal owners of property.

Two New York men were sentenced in Hartford, Conn., for engaging in a wide-ranging mortgage fraud scheme involving 24 mortgage loans on numerous multifamily housing properties in Hartford totaling nearly $50 million.

The purchaser of property in the town of Greenport, N.Y., sued the town, arguing the town didn’t have a valid easement on its property for sewer and water lines. After a trial court ruled in the town’s favor, the purchaser appealed.

The Nebraska Legislature introduced legislation that would amend the definition of good funds as it relates to real estate closing agents.

A title insurer asked an appellate court to compel a trial court to vacate its order denying the insurer’s motion to dismiss a suit for want of prosecution and to compel the trial court to dismiss the case for want of prosecution.

The Vermont General Assembly is considering a bill that would require a seller of real property to disclose to a buyer information regarding whether the property is located in a flood hazard area or fluvial erosion hazard area or was previously subject to flooding.

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the appointment of a new chief operating officer for the North Carolina Department of Insurance.

A Kissimmee, Fla., real estate broker pleaded guilty to three counts of bank fraud.

In an updated filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, First American Financial Corp. reported it believes it contained its recent cybersecurity incident. It also updated its website to report that several of its systems are back online.

The Utah State Legislature is considering a bill that would require, when ownership of real property is transferred, the grantor or the closing agent to make available information about the property.

On Jan. 1, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network began accepting beneficial ownership information reports.

A Missouri City, Texas, couple has been indicted for orchestrating a fraudulent financing and refinancing mortgage loan scheme.

The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance gave an update after it experienced a cyber incident in the fall of 2023.

The Florida Legislature filed legislation that would provide that certain information submitted to the clerk of the circuit court or property appraiser by a person who registers for a recording notification service or a related service is confidential and exempt from public record requirements.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Witmer signed legislation to amend state law regarding the filing of surveys in the office of the register of deeds relative to land divisions, as well as the prescription of the conditions of the survey.

The U.S. Justice Department and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have sued Colony Ridge for operating an illegal land sales scheme and targeting tens of thousands of Hispanic borrowers with false statements and predatory loans.

A federal jury has convicted a Chicago real estate professional of scheming to defraud multiple financial institutions out of $4 million.

The Missouri General Assembly pre-filed a joint resolution that would replace the property tax on real property with a sales tax.

The Federal Trade Commission extended the public comment period on a proposed rule prohibiting junk fees for 30 days, until Feb. 7, 2024.

The Florida legislature filed a bill that would require a seller of real property to disclose in writing certain flood information to a prospective buyer before executing a contract for the sale of the property.

A New York man pleaded guilty to engaging in an extensive multi-year conspiracy to fraudulently obtain over $165 million in mortgage loans to fraudulently acquire multifamily and commercial properties.