News By Edition

With deed fraud presenting a more pervasive threat by the day, collaborative solutions between regulatory agencies and industry associations are in demand. Bill Anderson of the National Notary Association shared his insights from recent conversations with federal enforcers and other experts with The Legal Description.

In a joint letter to federal agency heads, the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice announced their intention to compile a list of regulations that hinder competition and innovation, in accordance with the president’s executive order calling for a reduction in anti-competitive regulatory barriers.

In its new report, cyber insurance provider Coalition revealed its findings on recent cybersecurity trends, including a decline in ransom demands and a significant percentage of email-related cybercrime.

As part of an ongoing budget reconciliation process, the House Financial Services Committee voted to greatly reduce funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and to no longer allow the bureau to roll over unspent funds in its civil penalty fund.

The Texas state senate is currently considering a bill that would officially include real property theft and real property fraud as criminal offenses under state law, while also establishing a statute of limitations for those offenses.

Third-party administrators are being reviewed by the Delaware Department of Insurance to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations governing claims handling, disclosures and more.

A former mortgage broker from New York has been convicted and found guilty on 18 counts, including second-degree grand larceny, money laundering, conspiracy and forgery, in connection with a sophisticated deed theft scheme.

A lawsuit by Colorado’s attorney general against MV Realty seeks to release all customers from unfair brokerage contracts with the company, which has faced similar legal action in multiple other states.

To help his constituents better understand and respond to the ongoing threat of scams and predatory business practices, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro released a new consumer protection toolkit, including a website and a hotline.

After months of legal turmoil, a Florida-based real estate company has had its license voided in its home state by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.

A state bill to update Oklahoma’s deed regulations, including the addition of a requirement for licensees to undergo continuing education on deed theft, is being considered by the state senate.

After pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud and money laundering, a business owner from Westfield, N.J. has been sentenced to 24 months prison time in relation to a scheme to fraudulently obtain a Payroll Protection Program loan.

The assignee of a mortgagee sued the mortgagee's title insurer for failure to defend the assignee in separate foreclosure action against the mortgagor brought by the property seller. The assignee appealed after a New York Supreme Court dismissed the complaint.

A coalition of senators have introduced the Insurance Data Protection Act to the U.S. Senate with an aim to scale back the authority of the Federal Insurance Office and return more autonomy to state regulatory agencies.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is being asked by the Office of Management and Budget to cut approximately $491 million from its fiscal year 2026 operating budget as part of defense-oriented reallocation.

Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte has levied accusations of mortgage fraud against New York State Attorney General Letita James in a letter submitted to the Department of Justice.

A new Colorado state senate bill on its way to the governor’s desk would require the state’s insurance commissioner to meet on a regular basis with a title insurance advisory group consisting of industry representatives.

Disasters can take many shapes and form – from inclement weather to viral outbreaks and beyond – and no business is exempt from the risk. That’s why Jaime Kosofsky, founding partner of real estate law practice Brady & Kosofsky, looks to help colleagues in the industry increase the disaster readiness of their companies.

In a class action lawsuit against the state of Wisconsin, residents and homeowners are seeking to recover surplus tax proceeds withheld by the state after selling foreclosed homes.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha reached a $213,000 settlement with a national property management company, resolving allegations of deceptive and unfair housing application and screening practices.

A new house bill under review in the Ohio legislature would ratify certain requirements for joint venture title companies, including restricting the paying of commissions and allowing banks or trust companies to act as agents.

Following the passage of a state senate bill implementing new pre-licensing and continuing education requirements for insurance producers, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department has updated its statutes to reflect the new law.

Throughout the first quarter of 2025, the consumer advocates and compliance officers of Oregon Division of Financial Regulation recovered and returned more than $2 million to the public.

A former church leader from California has entered a guilty plea on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud in connection to an attempt to defraud church congregations and private lenders through a mortgage scheme.