This Week in Massachusetts
Attorney General Coakley files lawsuit against 5 major banks
On Thursday, Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a lawsuit against five major, national banks alleging they engaged in misleading loan practices and pursued illegal foreclosures on Massachusetts properties. The lawsuit against Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, and GMAC alleges they used fraudulent documentation, illegally foreclosed on properties that their banks did not hold mortgages on, and also engaged in so-called “robo-signing”. She further alleges that in order to enable mortgage loan sales, the banks sidestepped the state’s land recording system with the intention of avoiding registration and recording requirements which include the payment of fees. In turn, the banks criticized AG Coakley for stopping settlement negotiations. The lawsuit brought on by AG Coakley is the first in the nation legal action against the five major banks regarding foreclosures.
According to Poll, Warren Leads Brown in U.S. Senate Race
According to a new public opinion poll, U.S. Senate hopeful, Elizabeth Warren (D), holds a 4 point lead against incumbent Senator Scott Brown (R) in a hypothetical match up for the 2012 election. The poll, which was conducted from November 9th to 22nd, showed Senator Brown leading Warren by 18 points among independent voters and Warren leading Senator Brown by 15 points among women. Voters trusted Warren over Senator Brown, according to the poll, on several issues including the economy, health care, and taxes, while selecting Senator Brown over Warren on the issue of terrorism. Warren, who is the leading candidate to be the Democratic nominee to face Sen. Brown still must win the state primary election next year.
Congressman Frank will not run for re-election
United States Representative Barney Frank stated on Monday that he will not run for re-election. His stated that his decision was impacted by his newly redrawn district which expanded his district to include 350,000 more people – in cities and towns new to him. He stated on Monday that he would prefer to advocate for his policy priorities outside of the Congress than to introduce himself to new voters.
Governor Patrick wants ’12 Primary Date Changed Again
The 2012 Massachusetts primary, rescheduled once already by the Legislature to avoid a conflict with Rosh Hashanah, now conflicts with the closing night of the Democratic National Convention when President Barack Obama will likely accept his party’s nomination for President. Governor Deval Patrick, who has been active in Obama’s re-election effort, said this week that he wants to change the date of the 2012 state primary election again to avoid this scheduling conflict. Secretary of State, William Galvin responded that he does not support moving the state primary election to an earlier date again. The state primary election is required by state law to be at least seven weeks before the general election.
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