Martha Coakley

Bad News for Most Debt Collectors and Good News for Consumers

Bill Bartmann | Posted 05.08.2012

Read More: Politics, Debt, Massachusetts, Martha Coakley, Debt Collectors, Debt Collection, Debt Collection Policy, Money News

Even with new regulations, Massachusetts and the rest of the nation still have a long way to go before we see more common sense than common criminals in the ranks of debt collectors and their accomplices.

Read Post

Massachusetts Foreclosure Help Line Receiving 300 Calls Per Day

Posted 05.03.2012

Read More: Video, National Mortgage Deal, Foreclosure Help Line, Business News, Homecorps, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Foreclosures, National Mortgage Settlement, Foreclosure Settlement, Martha Coakley, Homecorps Massachusetts Foreclosure Hotline, Business News

In Massachusetts homeowners are apparently freaking out about the possibility of foreclosure. A recently-launched hotline aimed at helping homeow...

Read Whole Story

A Candy Store for Criminals: The Debt-Collection Business

Bill Bartmann | Posted 05.29.2012

Read More: Lori Swanson, Bill Bartmann, Martha Coakley, Minnesota Commerce, Mike Rothman, Debt Collector Investigation, Debt Collectors, Debt Collection, Debt Collectors Criminal Records, Politics News

It would be convenient to paint an innocent, it-happens-to-everyone portrait of the debt-collection industry, but the truth looks much less like a portrait and more like a mug shot: The debt-collection business has become a career of choice for criminals.

Read Post

It's Time for a "Regulatory Cocktail" Against Unethical Debt Collectors

Bill Bartmann | Posted 05.21.2012

Read More: Lori Swanson, Richard Cordray, Bill Bartmann, Martha Coakley, Darrell McGraw, Greg Abbott, Lisa Madigan, Mike deWine, Debt Collectors, Debt Collection, Business News

Many U.S. attorneys general are working with each other and with the federal government to control and eventually eradicate the scourge that is unethical debt collectors, because just one strategy alone seems not to be enough.

Read Post

Don't Sell Scott Brown Short

Dan Kennedy | Posted 05.06.2012

Read More: Don't Ask Don't Tell, Scott Brown, Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senate, Deval Patrick, Mitt Romney, Senate Races, Massachusetts, Martha Coakley, Financial Regulation, Occupy Movement, Birth Control, Blunt Amendment, Scott Brown Senate, Elizabeth Warren Senate, Massachusetts Senate Race, Politics News

Will Republican Sen. Scott Brown of Massachusetts win re-election this November? Or will he be defeated by his Democratic rival, Elizabeth Warren? The answer, clearly, is "yes."

Read Post

Massachusetts AG: Mortgage Settlement Is Only The Beginning

HuffingtonPost.com | Bonnie Kavoussi | Posted 02.09.2012

Read More: Foreclosures, Foreclosure Crisis, Video, Mortgage Settlement, Coakley, Massachusetts Attorney General, Massachusetts, Housing Crisis, Martha Coakley, Foreclosure Settlement, Business News

The $25 billion settlement with five of the nation's largest banks over charges of widespread mortgage fraud, announced Thursday, isn't the end for Ma...

Read Whole Story

Holdout States Massachusetts, New York, California, Delaware Reveal Their Share Of Foreclosure Deal

HuffingtonPost.com | Loren Berlin | Posted 02.09.2012

Read More: JPMorgan Chase, Video, Foreclosure Crisis, Kamala Harris, Eric Schneiderman, Robo-Signing, Wells Fargo, Ally Financial, Bank of America, Mortgage Fraud, Foreclosure, National Foreclosure Settlement, Citigroup, Martha Coakley, Business News

The five states that most actively resisted a settlement with banks over charges of widespread mortgage fraud announced their cut of the nationwide de...

Read Whole Story

Giving Voice Back to the People

Martha Coakley | Posted 03.12.2012

Read More: Elections 2012, Super Pac, Citizens United, 2012 Election, Martha Coakley, Campaign Finance, Politics News

In the two years since the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Citizens United v. FEC, those of us who are concerned with the growing influence of special interests and corporations in our political process have seen our worst fears realized.

Read Post

Scott Brown: Elizabeth Warren Media Coverage Is 'All Fluff'

The Huffington Post | Chris Gentilviso | Posted 12.29.2011

Read More: Scott Brown, Elizabeth Warren, Scott Brown 2012, Video, Scott Brown Reelection Run, Elections 2012, Media, Elizabeth Warren 2012, Elizabeth Warren Senate Run, Scott Brown Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Senate Race, Martha Coakley, Politics News

When Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) scored his upset victory over Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley in January 2010, he rode a wave of voter a...

Read Whole Story

Bank Of America Delays Eviction Of Dying California Woman

The Huffington Post | Harry Bradford | Posted 12.23.2011

Read More: Lou Gehrig's Disease, Ally Financial Inc, JPMorgan Chase, Foreclosure Crisis, Video, Wells Fargo, Mortgage Crisis, Bank of America, Medical, Citbank, The Sacramento Bee, Martha Coakley, Business News

In a foreclosure crisis that's been short on compassion, one California couple facing tragedy has been able to delay eviction with help from their ban...

Read Whole Story

Mr. President, Stop Protecting Bankers From These Law Enforcement Officials

Richard (RJ) Eskow | Posted 02.10.2012

Read More: Curbing Wall Street, Bank Fraud, Tom Miller, Beau Biden, Foreclosure Settlement, Bank Crimes, Kamala Harris, Jack Conway, Catherine Cortez Masto, Eric Schneiderman, Martha Coakley, Foreclosure Fraud, Politics News

Lately we've been hearing some strong words from the President about Wall Street crime. But when the cameras and lights aren't around, his Administration's been working feverishly to protect bankers from state law enforcement officials.

Read Post

A Stronger Voice for Accountability

Martha Coakley | Posted 02.06.2012

Read More: Foreclosure Crisis, Wall Street, Mortgage Crisis, Banks, Banking Crisis, Foreclosure, Massachusetts, Martha Coakley, Business News

This week, our office filed a lawsuit against the five major banks to hold them accountable for their serious misconduct in executing unlawful foreclosures against homeowners. Here's why.

Read Post

Elizabeth Warren Will Never Stop Being Asked About Red Sox Trivia, Apparently

HuffingtonPost.com | Jason Linkins | Posted 12.07.2011

Read More: Scott Brown, Elizabeth Warren Senate, Elizabeth Warren, 2012 Speculatron, Video, Elizabeth Warren Red Sox, 2012 Election, Martha Coakley Massachusetts, Elections 2012, Media Criticism, Massachusetts Senate Race, Boston Red Sox, Martha Coakley, Elizabeth Warren Massachusetts, Politics News

In the Massachusetts Senate race, Democratic candidate and former chair of the post-financial crash Congressional Oversight Panel Elizabeth Warren has...

Read Whole Story

Ex-Countrywide Financial Executive: Mortgage Fraud Was 'Systemic'

The Huffington Post | Harry Bradford | Posted 12.05.2011

Read More: Fraud, Video, Mortgage Lender, Freddie Mac, 60 Minutes, Countrywide Financial, Mortgage Crisis, Bank of America, Fannie Mae, Steve Kroft, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Foreclosure, Martha Coakley, Business News

With mortgage lenders now facing allegations of misconduct on several fronts, a former top ranking employee at a major home lender has come forward sa...

Read Whole Story

Beau Biden Sues Big Banks' Mortgage Registry

HuffingtonPost.com | Mike Sacks | Posted 12.27.2011

Read More: US Economy, Mortgages, Beau Biden, Mortgage Crisis, Delaware, Banks, Mers, Foreclosure, Martha Coakley, Politics News

Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden sued a private national mortgage registry on Thursday, citing a slew of deceptive trade practices that prevent ho...

Read Whole Story

In Massachusetts, Ownership Of Improperly Foreclosed Homes Thrown In Doubt

The Huffington Post | Bonnie Kavoussi | Posted 12.19.2011

Read More: Foreclosures, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Foreclosure Crisis, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Foreclosures, Robo-Signing, Housing Crisis, Martha Coakley, Business News

The highest court in Massachusetts just made the foreclosure crisis even more complicated. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled on Tuesda...

Read Whole Story

$125 Million Subprime Lending Settlement Will Benefit Massachusetts Homeowners

Boston.com | Posted 10.09.2011

Read More: Subprime-Loans, H&R Block, Subprime Mortgages, BV Money, Massachusetts, Subprime Lending, Martha Coakley, Black Voices News

Thousands of black and Latino homeowners in Massachusetts will likely save money under a $125 million subprime lending settlement with a subsidiary of...

Read Whole Story

Mass Register John O'Brien's Presentation Draws Crowd of Recorders in Atlantic City

Richard Zombeck | Posted 09.04.2011

Read More: Tom Miller, Eric Schneiderman, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, John O'Brien, Essex-County, Massachusetts, Foreclosure Fraud, Martha Coakley, Business News

An audit examining assignments of mortgage recorded in the Essex Southern District Registry of Deeds issued to and from JPMorgan Chase Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and Bank of America during 2010 found that 75% of assignments of mortgage are invalid.

Read Post

Massachusetts Could Be First To Limit Charity Exec Pay

Boston Herald | Christine McConville | Posted 07.25.2011

Read More: Charity, Ellis Carter, Martha Coakley, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Executive Salary, Martha Walz, Mark Montigny, Impact News

Once again, Massachusetts is looking to be a leader. Attorney General Martha Coakley, and legislators Sen. Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) and Rep. Mar...

Read Whole Story

Massachusetts Courts to Banks on Foreclosures: The Law Matters

Richard Zombeck | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Supreme Court, Foreclosure Crisis, Wells Fargo, Judge Keith Long, Mortgage Crisis, Mortgage Fraud, Mers, Massachusetts, Ibanez, Glenn Russell, Martha Coakley, Usbancorp, Business News

In the past, a bank representative or attorney for the bank would walk into court, point out that the "deadbeat homeowners" weren't paying their mortgage and the family would get kicked out. But that may have finally changed.

Read Post

My 2010 "McLaughlin Awards" [Part 1]

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Debt, Elizabeth Warren, Tea Party, Proposition 8, Mcconnell, Whitman, Reform, Mccain, Awards, China, Steele, Mitch McConnnell, Sarah Palin, Turncoat of the Year, Deficit, Warren, Enough Already, Emanuel, Nancy Pelosi, Bill Halter, Chickens for Checkups, Turncoat, Health Care, Obamacare, Detroit, Christine Odonnell, Vat, Michael Steele, Bp, Miners, Condit, Democrat, Democrats, Election, Biden, Barack Obama, Assange, Erskine Bowles, Rod Blagojevich, Rahm Emanuel, Bowles, Health, Best Comeback, Best of 2010, Coakley, Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, Worst Politician, Healthcare, Auto Industry, President, President Obama, Prop 8, John Boehner, 2010 Year End, Chandra Levy, Deficit Reduction, Obama, Democratic, Halter, Charlie Rangel, Wikileaks, Most Original Thinker, Vitter, Lieberman, Republican, Blagojevich, Pelosi, Mclaughlin, Clinton, Oil Spill, Gary Condit, Bummest Rap, Julian Assange, Most Stagnant Thinker, Most Defining Political Moment, Arlen Specter, Bill Clinton, John McCain, Spillcam, Sue Lowden, Wall St, 2010 Roundup, Specter, Biggest Loser, Chile, Person of the Year, Most Boring, McLaughlin Group, Gay, Martha Coakley, Worst Lie, Capitalist of the Year, Beau Biden, Meg Whitman, Best Photo Op, Prop 19, Rangel, Biggest Winner, Wall Street, Midterm, Chris Weigant, Proposition 19, Palin, Best Politician, Gulf, Alan Simpson, Boehner, Fairest Rap, Meggles, 2010, Marijuana, Politics News

My apologies to anyone tuning in who was expecting to see the 150th "Friday Talking Points" column, since it will be pre-empted for two weeks here. B...

Read Post

Top 10 PR Blunders of 2010

Rich Robinson | Posted 05.25.2011

This year proved to be a golden one for public relations meltdowns. Compiling this list was easy - trimming it down to the 10 biggest wasn't. As far as PR blunders go, 2010 was a target-rich environment.

Read Post

County Register of Deeds Picks Fight with MERS

Richard Zombeck | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Securitization, Essex County, Salem, Mortgage Crisis, John O'Brien, Mers, Foreclosure, Mortgage-Backed Securities, Massachusetts, Martha Coakley, Business News

Assuming an average of 500 mortgages per week, this year alone, Southern Essex County has lost a potential $1.95 million in recording fees because of the MERS system of "avoiding" recording assignments.

Read Post

What's an Underemployed Gal to Do? Run For Office.

Diane Tucker | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: 2010 Elections, Voting, World Bank, Women in Politics, Joblessness, History of Women in Politics, Diane Tucker, Caroline Kennedy, Layoffs, Bailout Bandits, Stimulus Package, Nancy Pelosi, The Giving Life, Carly Fiorina, Senate Races, The Recession, Happiness, Careers, Npr, Survival Jobs, Kathleen Sebelius, Martha Coakley, Women in American Politics, Recession, Why Aren?T Women Running for Office, Michele Bachmann, catalyst.org, House Races, Sarah Palin, Anne Doyle, White House Project, Christine Todd Whitman, Hillary Clinton, Inside DC, Economy, Groundbreakers, World Economic Forum. Women in American Politics, We-Need-More-Women-in-Politics, The Bailouts, Womens Rights, Elections 2010, Politics News

The experience of running convinced me that women have a tremendous natural ability for politics. We just have to get over our fear of it and go for the brass ring.

Read Post

What Happened to Scott Brown Voters?

Brian Schaffner | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Scott Brown, Massachusetts, Charles Baker, Deval Patrick, Martha Coakley, Politics News

Scott Brown was at the leading edge of the Republican tide when he scored an unexpected victory over Martha Coakley in the January special election in Massachusetts. What happened to those Scott Brown supporters in this midterm election?

Read Post