Federal Circuit Court Judge Denny Chin has ruled that a class action can go forward against a law firm, a process-serving company and a debt-buying company that sues them for being a criminal enterprise under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) law.
No longer such a high-flyer, the David J. Stern law firm is now being investigated and sued in a class action. The impact on pending Florida foreclosures and what the firm's underlying conduct means for the future of the state's real estate market will be felt for years.
The "robo-signers" at banks who signed thousands of foreclosure-related documents were essentially lying under oath. But perhaps even worse were the lawyers involved: They're the ones who should have known better and put an end to the practice -- but didn't.