California Attorney General Kamala Harris filed a lawsuit against mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac this week, pressuring the government-sponsored enterprises to respond to some 51 questions regarding foreclosures and other actions taken by Fannie and Freddie in the state.
Fannie and Freddie own about 60 percent of California mortgages. Harris is investigating the GSE’s involvement in 12,000 foreclosed properties in the state where they served as landlords, as well as the GSEs' role in selling or marketing mortgage-backed securities, HousingWire reports.
The state is seeking a variety of information from Fannie and Freddie, including a list of which homes in the state that they foreclosed on, whether they have complied with civil rights laws protecting minorities and military members against unlawful convictions and foreclosures, and whether they complied with California's securities and tax laws.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have not commented on the lawsuit. An attorney representing the Federal Housing Finance Agency, however, said the lawsuits’ 51 subpoenas were "frequently vague and ambiguous," HousingWire reports. Also, the FHFA attorney said Harris does not have the authority to issue subpoenas against the GSEs since they’re under federal control.
Source: “State AG Sues Fannie and Freddie for Answers,” Associated Press (Dec. 21, 2011)
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