Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Borrower
January 6, 2014
Prepared By
Preface
This report has been organized into well-defined sections so that the reader can efficiently access
specific information as follows:
Abstract: The Abstract describes the key documents that I researched and examined as
the basis for forming my opinions.
Analysis: The Analysis section steps the reader through the securitization process;
describes any defects in the documentation that may undermine the securitization and
foreclosure processes; and describes the evidence that would be necessary to prove
ownership of the subject Mortgage Loan.
Conclusions: The conclusion section recaps the Examiners critical findings and draws
logical inferences from the facts as they became known through her research and
analysis.
Table of Exhibits: The Table of Exhibits lists the documents referenced throughout the
report.
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS ....................................................................................................................................4
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................6
ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................................7
SUBJECT .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
RESEARCH ......................................................................................................................................................11
TRANSACTION DETAILS................................................................................................................................ 11
LOAN LEVEL DETAILS ................................................................................................................................... 11
SECURITIZATION DETAILS ........................................................................................................................... 12
LOOKUP REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................... 12
MERS RESEARCH............................................................................................................................................. 13
TITLE DOCUMENTS REVIEWED ................................................................................................................... 14
ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................................................................15
I.
II.
MOLLERS DISPUTE...................................................................................................... 25
Mollers Stop Payment Imperative ...................................................................................................................... 25
Moller is Not in Default ....................................................................................................................................... 28
Identifying the Note Holder ................................................................................................................................. 28
III.
FORECLOSURE FORENSICS............................................................................................ 29
The Breeder Document .................................................................................................................................... 29
The Assignment Evidences A Truth In Lending Violation ................................................................................. 30
Separating Fact From Fiction .............................................................................................................................. 30
By Definition the Assignment of Mortgage is Invalid ......................................................................................... 32
By Definition the Assignment of Mortgage is Void Ab Initio ............................................................................. 34
Liability for Recording Fraudulent Documents ................................................................................................... 35
IV.
V.
CONCLUSIONS ...............................................................................................................................................39
Executive Summary
On January 17, 2003, Lorraine Mary Moller (Moller) entered into a consumer mortgage
transaction with Washington Mutual Bank, FA (Washington Mutual) in which she borrowed
$500,000.00 in order to refinance her home located at 716 Spruce Street, Boulder, Boulder County,
Colorado 80302 (Property). Moller has owned and occupied the Property as her primary residence
since June 30, 1994 (twenty years).
Unbeknownst to Moller, on February 25, 2003, Washington Mutual Bank, FA and its
affiliate, Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp., securitized Mollers Mortgage Loan into
the WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2003-AR3 Trust over which Deutsche Bank
National Trust Company serves as Trustee.
On September 25, 2008, the United States Office of Thrift Supervision seized Washington
Mutual Bank from Washington Mutual, Inc. and placed it into the receivership of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The FDIC sold the banking subsidiaries, certain assets,
and all mortgage servicing rights to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMC) on September 25, 2008.
On November 22, 2012, Moller became aware of reports that certain portfolio loans
allegedly acquired by the FDIC as Receiver for Washington Mutual had not been transferred to
JPMC. Concerned that her payments were not being made to the proper party, Moller sent JPMC a
demand for full disclosure of the name, address, and phone number of the bank or investor that
owns this account. JPMCs response was, essentially, to brush off Mollers demands and institute
non-judicial foreclosure proceedings.
After conducting a full forensic review of the documents and records described herein, I
concluded that the attempted foreclosure of the Property is wrongful for the following reasons:
1. From March 1, 2003 (the first payment due date) to November 1, 2012, Moller maintained
her mortgage obligation in good standing.
2. After sending notice to JPMC on November 22, 2012, Moller ceased making payments in
order to mitigate the risk of further loss to herself, and to the real party in interest, while she
attempts to ascertain the identity of the current Note Holder.
3. Notwithstanding Moller has withheld her payments pending the resolution of her dispute,
payments have been advanced on her behalf and her loan is current.
4. The copy of the Note that Deutsche Bank attached to its Rule 120 Motion is suspicious. It
appears to have been altered on page 6 of 6 by whiting out a scribble mark, and imposing an
indorsement in blank from Washington Mutual Bank, FA to give the appearance it is a
negotiable instrument governed under U.C.C. Article 3, which it is not.
5. The Corporate Assignment of Deed of Trust prepared by JPMC as Attorney-in-Fact for the
FDIC is unauthorized, fictitious, and ten (10) years too late.
Securitization Analysis and Foreclosure Forensics Property of Lorraine Mary Moller
2014 McDonnell Property Analytics, All Rights Reserved
Abstract
SUBJECT
The subject of this analysis is a consumer mortgage transaction that took place on January 17,
2003 (Consummation Date), by and between Lorraine Mary Moller (Borrower or Moller)
and Washington Mutual Bank, FA (Washington Mutual or Lender).
On the Consummation Date, Moller executed a Fixed/Adjustable Rate Note in favor of WaMu
(Note) and granted a Deed of Trust (Deed of Trust) in order to obtain funds in the amount of
$500,000.00 secured by residential property located at 716 Spruce Street, Boulder, Boulder
County, Colorado 80302 (Property). The Deed of Trust was recorded with the Boulder County
Clerk & Recorders Office (Recorders Office) on January 22, 2003, as Document # 2386532.
(See Exhibit A. Deed of Trust, 01/17/2003)
Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Note describe the terms of a hybrid alternative mortgage transaction
that calls for the principal amount of $500,000.00 to be financed at a yearly interest rate of
5.250% for the first five (5) years. Paragraph 3(B) of the Note states that the initial monthly
payments for principal and interest will be in the amount of $2,996.24.1
On February 1, 2008 and on that date every 12th month thereafter, the interest rate was scheduled
to adjust according to an Index and Margin formula described in Paragraph 4 of the Note. The
Index is the weekly average yield on United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant
maturity of 1 year, as made available by the Federal Reserve Board. The most recent Index
figure available as of the date 45 days before each Change Date is called the Current Index.
Paragraph 4(C), Calculation of Changes, states that Two & Seventy-Five-Hundredths percentage
points (2.750%), commonly referred to as the Margin, will be added to the Current Index
before each change date, the sum of which will then be rounded to the nearest one-eighth of one
percentage point (0.125%). In the month following each interest rate change date, monthly
payments were to reset in an amount sufficient to fully amortize the loan to a zero balance by the
maturity date of February 1, 2033. The distinguishing Loan Level Details are described in the
Research section of this report. (See Exhibit B. Fixed/Adjustable Rate Note, 01/17/2003)
Washington Mutual also required Moller to execute an Addendum to Fixed/Adjustable Rate
Note which calls for interest only payments for the first five years of the loan. Paragraph 3(B) of
the Addendum modified the initial monthly payment to $2,187.50 so that it was sufficient to
cover only the interest accruing each month. (See Exhibit C. Addendum to Fixed/Adjustable
Rate Note, 01/17/2003)
1
The initial monthly payment amount of $2,996.24 is excessive. To fully amortize a loan of $500,000.00 at an
interest rate of 5.250% over a 30 term would require monthly payments in the amount of $2,761.02. The overcharge of
$235.22 had it been collected would vitiate the contract because of the intrinsic conflict in terms, and the resulting
ambiguity.
The Fixed/Adjustable Rate Rider reiterates the terms of paragraph 4 of the Note and is
incorporated into and deemed to amend and supplement the Deed of Trust. It also amends
paragraph 11(B) of the Note with respect to Uniform Covenant 18 of the Deed of Trust. (See
Exhibit D. Fixed/Adjustable Rate Rider, 01/17/2003)
Within a month and a half of the Consummation Date, and unbeknownst to Moller at the time,
Washington Mutual sold Mollers Mortgage Loan to an affiliate, Washington Mutual Mortgage
Securities Corp., who packaged it for securitization purposes and transferred it to WaMu
Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2003-AR3 Trust on or about February 25, 2003.
On September 25, 2008, the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) seized Washington Mutual
Bank from Washington Mutual, Inc. and placed the Failed Bank into the receivership of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). On that same day, the FDIC sold the
banking subsidiaries (including Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp.), certain
portfolio loans, and mortgage servicing rights to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
(JPMC) pursuant to a Purchase and Assumption Agreement.
From March 1, 2003 (the first payment due date) to November 1, 2012, Moller maintained her
mortgage obligation in good standing.
On November 22, 2012, Moller became aware of reports that certain portfolio loans allegedly
acquired by the FDIC from Washington Mutual had not been transferred to JPMC. Concerned
that her payments were not being made to the proper party, Moller sent JPMC a demand for full
disclosure of the name, address, and phone number of the bank or investor that owns this
account. Moller made her request pursuant to the Truth in Lending Act, the Real Estate
Settlement Procedures Act, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act which proscribe the
timeframe within which a response must be provided. Moller tendered her correspondence to a
Colorado Notary Public who placed the letter in an envelope, sealed it, and then sent it via
Certified Mail with return receipt requested to JPMC. (See Exhibit E. Notice and Demand to
Validate Debt Claim, 11/22/2012)
On December 19, 2012, Moller conveyed her property to the LORRAINE MARY MOLLER
ORGANIZATION TRUST, c/o Moller, P.O. Box 4042, Shellharbour, New South Wales, 2529,
Australia. (See Exhibit F. Quitclaim Deed, 12/19/2012)
JPMC did not respond to Mollers demand, and on January 8, 2013 Moller, acting in her
capacity as Occupant of the Office of General Executor of the LORRAINE MARY MOLLER
Estate (also referred to herein as Moller), prepared a Notice of Default, and as before, had the
Notary send the Notice via Certified Mail with return receipt requested to JPMC. (See Exhibit G.
Notice of Default, 01/08/2013)
On January 22, 2013, Chase responded to a letter from Moller which they claimed to have
received on January 16, 2013. In its cover letter, Chase stated that: The investor for this loan is
DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR WAMU
MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2003-AR3. (See Exhibit H.
Chase Response, 01/22/2013)
Securitization Analysis and Foreclosure Forensics Property of Lorraine Mary Moller
2014 McDonnell Property Analytics, All Rights Reserved
Having not yet received a response from JPMC, Moller prepared a Notice of Protest on February
1, 2013 which she tendered to the Notary who sent the Notice via Certified Mail with return
receipt requested to JPMC. (See Exhibit I. Notice of Protest, 02/01/2013)
On February 20, 2013, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (Chase) responded to a letter from Moller
they claimed to have received on February 11, 2013. Attached to this letter was a copy of the
Loan Transaction History; Note; and Security Instrument. (See Exhibit J. Chase Response,
02/20/2013)
In its cover letter, Chase stated that:
Any assignment of the Security Instrument, previous sellers, purchasers, assignors, and
assignees would be a matter of public record. Please review public record for this
information.
The investor for this loan is JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, 3415 vision
Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219, (800) 848-9136.
On February 28, 2013, Moller caused a Notice of Dishonour to be sent to Chase claiming that
Chase had failed to respond to her Notice and Demand to Validate Debt Claim, Notice of
Default, and Notice of Protest. (See Exhibit K. Notice of Dishonour, 02/28/2013)
On April 10, 2013, LeShonda Anderson, acting in her alleged capacity as Vice President of JP
Morgan Chase Bank, National Association as Attorney-in-Fact for Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, as Receiver of Washington Mutual Bank F/K/A Washington Mutual Bank, FA
(Assignor) executed a Corporate Assignment of Deed of Trust (Assignment) which was
recorded with the Recorders Office on April 16, 2013, as Document # 03304836.
This Assignment purports to transfer the Moller Deed of Trust (but not the Note) from the
Assignor to Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for WaMu Mortgage Pass
Through Certificates Series 2003-AR3 (Assignee). After recording the Assignment, the
Recorder was instructed to return the original to JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA, C/O NTC 2100
Alt. 19 North, Palm Harbor, FL 34683.2 (See Exhibit L. Corporate Assignment of Deed of
Trust, 04/10/2013)
On June 17, 2013, Aronowitz & Mecklenburg, LLP claiming to be Attorneys for Deutsche Bank
National Trust Company as Trustee for WaMu Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2003AR3, the Holder of the Evidence of Debt, filed a Notice of Election and Demand for Sale by
2
Nationwide Title Clearing (NTC) is a third-party business processing outsourcer specializing in loan
transfer and assignment services to the mortgage industry. (See
http://www.nwtc.com/services/Loan_Transfer_Assignment.html?SI=1_16)
Public Trustee (Notice) demanding that the Public Trustee sell the property. The Notice was
recorded with the Recorders Office on June 24, 2013, as Document # 03322022. (See Exhibit
M. Notice of Election and Demand for Sale by Public Trustee, 06/17/2013)
On September 26, 2013, Aronowitz & Mecklenburg, LLP filed a Response to the Courts Order
of September 16, 2013 in Support of its Verified Rule 120 Motion for Order Authorizing Sale to
which it appended Exhibits A through D consisting of: (See Exhibit N. Plaintiffs Response to
Court Oder, 09/26/2013) [sans exhibits]
A. -
B. -
C. -
D. -
a partial Transaction History that omits the first 5 years of the accounting.
At this writing, a hearing on the Rule 120 Motion is scheduled to take place on January 15th,
2014.
~ Continued Below ~
10
Research
TRANSACTION DETAILS
Source Documents:
Settlement Date:
Borrower:
Lender:
Trustee:
Nominee:
Zip Code
Principal Amount:
First Payment Date:
Maturity Date:
Riders:
11
SECURITIZATION DETAILS
Source Documents:
Lender:
Originator:
Sponsor:
Depositor:
Issuing Entity:
Trustee:
Delaware Trustee:
Master Servicer:
Custodian:
Underwriters:
Cut-Off Date:
Closing Date:
LOOKUP REFERENCES
Source Documents:
Trust I.D.:
Registrant:
Series:
EDGAR Website:3
EDGAR, the Electronic Data-Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system, performs automated collection,
validation, indexing, acceptance, and forwarding of submissions by companies and others who are required by law to
file forms with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The database is freely available to the public
via the Internet at: http://www.sec.gov/.
4
SEC InfoSM is a service of Fran Finnegan & Company that provides real-time access to documents that were
first filed at and disclosed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pursuant to Federal law or the
Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) pursuant to Canadian law by a Filer or Filing Agent who is an SEC/CSA
Registrant.
The benefit of using SEC InfoSM rather than EDGAR to search the official filings is the enhancements such as
hyperlinks between Table of Contents and Sections that allow the user to quickly and efficiently search, view and print
relevant information contained within documents that often consist of hundreds of pages of complex contract and
disclosure language. To learn more about SEC InfoSM visit: http://www.secinfo.com/$/About.asp
12
Prospectus: 424B5
PSA:
Form 8-K:
MLPA:
Loan Schedule:
Governing Law:
ABS-15G
Asset-Backed
Securities Report
MERS RESEARCH
Source Documents:
MOM:5
MIN Number:6
Lender I.D.:
Servicer I.D.:
Investor I.D.:
Status:
MOM is an acronym MERS uses to denote that the Security Instrument appointed MERS as Original
Mortgagee as a nominee or beneficiary for the Lender and Lenders successors and assigns.
6
In the MERS lexicon, MIN stands for Mortgage Identification Number which is a unique 18-digit number
assigned to each mortgage registered into the MERS System.
13
RECORDING
DATE
DOCUMENT
NUMBER
01/17/2003
12/19/2012
04/10/2013
06/17/2013
01/22/2003
12/19/2012
04/16/2013
06/24/2013
2386532
3276426
03304836
03322022
INSTRUMENT
Mortgage (with Rider)
Quitclaim Deed
Corporate Assignment of Deed of Trust
Notice of Election and Demand For Sale
By Public Trustee
~ Continued Below ~
14
Analysis
My examination of the evidence available as of this writing revealed the following facts:
I. Securitization Analysis
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Research
(1)
(2)
I was able to verify this finding by examining the collateral loan performance tape provided
by the Servicer to Bloomberg each month and comparing that information to the loan level
details contained in the subject Note, Addendum, Deed of Trust and Adjustable Rate Rider.
A side-by-side comparison revealed that twenty-four (24) out of twenty-nine (29) data points
were a perfect match. (See Exhibit O. Bloomberg Research Results, 12/29/2013)
(3)
The only significant data-point that did not correspond was the Loan Number. This fact
does not negatively impact my findings, however, because loan numbers are often reserialized for securitization purposes, especially when the loans were originated by different
lenders. The four other non-matching data points represent idiosyncrasies in how the
Servicer reported the interest rate caps.
(4)
Accordingly, I found that the unique characteristics described in Mollers Mortgage Loan
documents were also present in the Bloomberg data, which enabled me to conclude that the
Mortgage Loan is a defined term in Section 1.01 of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement that refers to the
transaction between the Borrower and Lender. The definition of Mortgage File describes the documents maintained by
the Document Custodian that memorialize the transaction.
8
CAVEAT: The phrase I found that the Borrowers Mortgage Loan is presently being tracked as an asset
is a term of art that I purposely use to describe what we are seeing when viewing the information available through
Bloomberg. Essentially, Bloomberg provides current and historical data to investors regarding the collateral loan
performance, delinquency rates, trigger events, etc. that enable investors to monitor their holdings. This data derives
from the accounting supplied by the Servicer, Master Servicer, and Securities Administrator each month as required by
the Pooling and Servicing Agreement that governs the Trust. Whether or not a particular Note and Mortgage were
legally conveyed into a securitized Trust in accordance with Applicable Laws is a separate and distinct factual
analysis which ultimately requires a legal opinion I do not, and cannot render here.
15
Once I had established through my Bloomberg research that the subject Mortgage Loan is
being tracked as an asset of the Trust, I investigated whether it was also included in the
original Mortgage Loan Schedule (MLS)10 that identified the mortgage loans slated for
inclusion in this Deal.
(6)
I found that the Mortgage Loan Schedule was supposed to have been attached to the PSA as
Exhibit D; however, Exhibit D contains this message: Copies of the Mortgage Loan
Schedule (which has been intentionally omitted from this filing) may be obtained from
Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp. or Deutsche Bank National Trust Company.
Addresses are provided.
(7)
The WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2003-AR3 Trust is a public offering,
and the Prospectus, Prospectus Supplement and Pooling and Servicing Agreement (referred
to in the industry as the Deal Documents) are available on the Securities and Exchange
Commissions public access website. To perform a search, simply go to EDGARs Company
Search page and type in the Central Index Key (CIK) 1220366, which you can do here at:
http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html. I also included a direct link to
the EDGAR website in the Research section of this report.
(8)
My preferred method of researching these same filings is to use SEC InfoSM which provides
hyperlinks and enhanced viewing options. This particular Deal is found on the SEC InfoSM
website at: http://www.secinfo.com/$/SEC/Registrant.asp?CIK=1220366.
(9)
The Prospectus Supplement (ProSupp) is the securities offering circular and it contains a
helpful summary that lists the entities involved in the securitization. The ProSupp may be
viewed in its entirety at: http://www.secinfo.com/dsvRa.2Ny.htm. For the readers
convenience, I also provide an excerpt of the most relevant information and attach that as an
exhibit hereto. (See Exhibit P. Prospectus Supplement Excerpt)
Securitization is the financial practice of pooling various types of contractual debt such as residential
mortgages, commercial mortgages, auto loans or credit card debt obligations and selling said consolidated debt as bonds,
pass-through securities, or collateralized mortgage obligation(CMOs), to various investors. The principal and interest on
the debt, underlying the security, is paid back to the various investors regularly. Securities backed by mortgage
receivables are called mortgage-backed securities (MBS), while those backed by other types of receivables are assetbacked securities (ABS).
Critics have suggested that the complexity inherent in securitization can limit investors' ability to monitor risk,
and that competitive securitization markets with multiple securitizers may be particularly prone to sharp declines in
underwriting standards. Private, competitive mortgage securitization is believed to have played an important role in
the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis.[1] (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Securitization)
10
MORTGAGE LOAN SCHEDULE: The MLS contains the names and addresses of borrowers; property
addresses securing the loans; and loan level details regarding the terms of the loans being transferred. In most cases the
MLS will be attached to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement or the Free Writing Prospectus.
16
(10) The Pooling and Servicing Agreement (PSA) dated February 1, 2003 governs the Trust
according to its own terms pursuant to the laws of the State of Delaware.11 The PSA
describes how the Mortgage Pool Assets are to be conveyed to the Trust in Section 2.04 and
Section 2.05. The PSA may also be viewed in its entirety at:
http://www.secinfo.com/d157X1.2d.d.htm.
11
Statutory Trust Statute: Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del.C.ss.3801 et seq.
12
This intermediate entity is not essential to securitization, but since 2002, Statement of Financial Accountings
Standards 140 has required this additional step for off-balance-sheet treatment because of the remote possibility that if
the originator went bankrupt or into receivership, the securitization would be treated as a secured loan, rather than a sale,
and the originator would exercise its equitable right of redemption and reclaim the securitized assets. Deloitte & Touche,
Learning the Norwalk Two-Step, HEADS UP, Apr. 25, 2001, at 1. (http://www.securitization.net/pdf/dt_headsup.pdf)
13
Most of the securities are issued as debt securities bonds but there will also be a security representing the
rights to the residual value of the trust or the equity which may be retained by the Depositor.
17
14
Internal Revenue Code 860G. The 90 day requirement is imposed by the I.R.C. to ensure that the trust
remains a static entity. However, since the trust agreement requires that the trustee and servicer not do anything to
jeopardize the tax-exempt status, trust agreements generally state that any transfer after the closing date of the trust is
invalid.
18
(21) In the end, the challenge of unraveling securitizations Gordian Knot has fallen upon local,
state and federal judges who are also struggling to get through the learning curve in order to
parse out who if anyone has the legal right to enforce the note and foreclose the mortgage.
The FDIC lists three distinct institutions by the name of Washington Mutual Bank:
Cert.
Institution Name
City
State
Class
Inactive
Date
9576
Seattle
WA
Savings Association
01/01/2005
32633
Henderson
NV
Savings Association
09/25/2008
33891
Park City
UT
Savings Association
09/25/2008
According to the FDIC, Washington Mutual Bank of Seattle, WA (FDIC #9576) was merged without assistance
into Washington Mutual Bank of Henderson, NV (FDIC #32633) on January 1, 2005.
On September 25, 2008, the banking operations of Washington Mutual, Inc. Washington Mutual Bank,
Henderson, NV and Washington Mutual Bank, FSB, Park City, UT (Washington Mutual Bank) were sold in a
transaction facilitated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC). (See http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/wamu.html)
19
(27) Section 2.05 of the PSA requires the Depositor to deliver the Mortgage Files to the Trustee
or Custodian on the Closing Date of February 25, 2003. The Prospectus Supplement explains
succinctly: (See Exhibit P. Prospectus Supplement Excerpt, P. S-19)
The mortgage notes will not be endorsed, and the mortgages will not
be assigned, to the Trust. Washington Mutual Bank, fsb, an affiliate
of Washington Mutual Bank, FA, the servicer of the mortgage loans,
will retain possession of and will review the mortgage notes and
mortgages as custodian for the Trust and financing statements will be
filed evidencing the Trust's interest in the mortgage loans. (emphasis
supplied)
(28) Accordingly, Washington Mutual Bank, FSB, of Park City, Utah (FDIC #33891), and not the
Lender Washington Mutual Bank, FA of Henderson, Nevada (FDIC #32633), is the
Custodian for the Trust estate. This fact is important to know when considering who had
custody and control of the Mortgage Note and Deed of Trust at all relevant times in question.
(29) With respect to the original Mortgage Note, the PSA required the Depositor to transfer:
PSA Section 1.01 Definitions: Mortgage File
(i) The original Mortgage Note endorsed (A) in blank, without
recourse, or (B) to Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as
Trustee, without recourse or to WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through
Certificates Series 2003-AR3 Trust, without recourse and all
intervening endorsements evidencing a complete chain of
endorsements from the originator to the Trustee or the Trust, as
applicable provided, however, that in the event the
Company [Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp.] acquired
the Mortgage Loan from an affiliate of the Company [e.g.
Washington Mutual Bank, FA], then the Mortgage Note need not be
endorsed in blank or to Deutsche Bank National Trust Company or
the Trust as provided above (but, if not so endorsed, shall be made
payable to, or endorsed by the mortgagee named therein to, such
affiliate of the Company); (emphasis supplied)
(30) With respect to the Mortgage, the Depositor was required to deliver:
PSA Section 1.01 Definitions: Mortgage File
(iii)(1)(x) the original recorded Mortgage with evidence of recording
thereon for the jurisdiction in which the Mortgaged Property is located
an original Mortgage assignment thereof duly executed and
acknowledged in recordable form (A) in blank or (B) to Deutsche
Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee, or to WaMu Mortgage
Securitization Analysis and Foreclosure Forensics Property of Lorraine Mary Moller
2014 McDonnell Property Analytics, All Rights Reserved
20
With respect to the nature of the transaction, i.e., true sale vs. debt financing arrangement, the Pooling
and Servicing Agreement dated February 1, 2003, which governs the Trust, states as follows:
Section 2.04.
//////////
21
(b)
the conveyance provided for in this Section 2.04 shall be deemed to be a grant by the Company to the Trust
of, and the Company hereby grants to the Trust, to secure all of the Company's obligations hereunder, a
security interest in all of the Company's right, title, and interest, whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
in and to:
(I)
(II)
(III)
(IV)
The Company shall file such financing statements, and the Company and the Trustee acting on behalf of the
Trust at the direction of the Company shall, to the extent consistent with this Agreement, take such other actions as may
be necessary to ensure that, if this Agreement were deemed to create a security interest in the Conveyed Assets, such
security interest would be deemed to be a perfected security interest of first priority under applicable law and will be
maintained as such throughout the term of the Agreement. In connection herewith, the Trust shall have all of the rights
and remedies of a secured party and creditor under the Uniform Commercial Code as in force in the relevant jurisdiction.
17
See: Purchase and Assumption Agreement, Whole Bank, among: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
Receiver for Washington Mutual Bank, Henderson, Nevada; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and JPMorgan
Chase Bank, National Association dated as of September 25, 2008.
http://www.fdic.gov/about/freedom/Washington_Mutual_P_and_A.pdf
22
(36) According to Reuters: The Seattle-based company, the largest U.S. bank or thrift to fail,
said it plans to begin repaying about $7 billion to creditors. Many of these are hedge fund
investors specializing in buying securities of bankrupt companiesThe reorganized
company is known as WMI Holdings Corp.18
(37) Washington Mutuals collapse, and the sale of Washington Mutual Bank to JPMorgan Chase
Bank by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the Transaction), raise several
important issues that directly impact Mollers Mortgage Loan:
A.
The evidence herein presented indicates that the Mortgage Note and Deed of Trust
(Mortgage Loan) or an economic interest therein were allegedly securitized
into the WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2003-AR3 Trust on
February 25, 2003, more than five and a half (5 ) years prior to the OTS seizure
of Washington Mutual Bank on September 25, 2008.
B.
Accordingly, Mollers Mortgage Loan would not have been among the assets placed
into receivership by the FDIC and, therefore, it was not sold to JPMC pursuant to the
Purchase and Assumption Agreement (PAA) between the parties dated September
25, 2008.
C.
Only the right to service the Mortgage Loan would have been acquired by JPMC
incident to the Transaction. The PAA, Section 3.1: Assets Purchased by Assuming
Bank states: the Assuming Bank specifically purchases all mortgage servicing rights
and obligations of the Failed Bank.
D.
E.
On August 26, 2009, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company as Trustee (Deutsche
Bank) for over 159 securitization trusts created, sponsored, and/or serviced by
Washington Mutual Bank sued the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in its
capacity as Receiver of Washington Mutual Bank seeking to enforce its rights under
the Governing Documents to require the FDIC to repurchase the underlying mortgage
loans for breaches of the representations and warranties made to investors.19
18
Reuters, Monday, March 19, 2012: WaMu exits bankruptcy, on heels of Lehman;
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/19/us-washingtonmutual-idUSBRE82I15S20120319
19
See Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as
Receiver for Washington Mutual Bank, et al., U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Civil Action N0. 1:09-cv01656-RMC, 08/26/2009.
23
F.
G.
H.
I.
On May 15, 2012, WMMSC filed Form ABS-15G/A with the SEC and reported that
of the 2406 loans totaling $1,478,868,257 originated by Washington Mutual Bank
that were securitized into the WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series
2003-AR3 Trust, all 2406 of them were subject to repurchase requests which,
allegedly, includes Mollers Mortgage Loan. (See Exhibit 99.1 - Disclosures
Required By Rule 15Ga-1 at: http://www.secinfo.com/dsbR9.pKq.d.htm) 22
J.
K.
On December 17, 2013, JPMorgan Chase & Co. sued the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation claiming the agency owes it more than $1 billion in compensation for
20
21
22
Form ABS-15G/A, Exhibit 99.1 filed by Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp. on May 15, 2012
provides the following caveat in Footnote (2):
Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp., as Securitizer, is filing this Form ABS-15G/A in respect of all
mortgage-backed securities representing interests in pools of residential mortgage loans for which it acted as depositor
and which are outstanding during the reporting period. On September 25, 2008, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National
Association (JPMCB) acquired the banking operations of Washington Mutual Bank from the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation (FDIC). It is JPMCBs position that certain of the repurchase obligations of Washington
Mutual Bank remain with the FDIC receivership. Assets are reported herein in accordance with Rule 15Ga-1 regardless
of the validity of the demand or defenses thereto, and nothing in this report shall constitute, or be deemed, a waiver of
any rights, defenses, powers or privileges of any party relating to these assets.
24
not assuming legal claims arising from its acquisition of Washington Mutuals assets
after its 2008 implosion.23
(38) The competing interests among Deutsche Bank as Trustee for the Trust, Washington Mutual
Mortgage Securities Corp., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation combined with the questionable securitization model employed by Washington
Mutual Bank, FA, call into question:
(i) who owns Mollers Mortgage Loan;
(ii) who is the person entitled to enforce the instruments; and
(iii) who will be liable for Mollers cross-claims, counter claims, and
affirmative defenses.
(39) In summation, the facts in this case are so compelling and legally complex that it is
inconceivable any foreclosure of Mollers Property could be conducted through the nonjudicial exercise of the Statutory Power of Sale contained in the Deed of Trust.
See JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, U.S. District
Court for the District of Columbia, No. 13-cv-01997, 12/17/2013.
25
(44) I reviewed JPMCs correspondence and exhibits and observed a number of irregularities that
call into question whether JPMC can prove the terms of the instrument and its right to
enforce the instrument pursuant to Colo. Rev. Stat. 4-3-309 which addresses the
enforcement of lost, destroyed, or stolen instrument. For example:
Attached to its correspondence of January 22, 2013, Chase supplied a copy of the
Note that contained a scribble mark on page 6 of 6 below Mollers signature. There
was no indorsement, and no allonge was permanently affixed to the Note. (See
Exhibit R. - Fixed Adjustable Rate Note, 01/22/2013)
On February 20, 2013, Chase provided an identical copy of the Note that bore no
indorsement. (See Exhibit S. - Fixed Adjustable Rate Note, 02/20/2013)
However, the version of the Note attached to Aronowitz & Meckelenburgs Rule 120
Motion is distinctly different in that the bar code and Loan Number on page 1 have
been redacted; the scribble mark on page 6 has been whited out; and an indorsement
in blank from Washington Mutual Bank, FA now appears beneath Mollers
signature.24 (See Exhibit T. - Fixed Adjustable Rate Note, 09/26/2013)
(45) As stated in Paragraph 27 above, Section 2.05 of the PSA discloses: The mortgage notes will
not be endorsed, and the mortgages will not be assigned, to the Trust. Thus, the
indorsement found on the Rule 120 Note is suspicious, and it is reasonable to infer that the
Note (or a copy of it) was altered after the fact with an endorsement in blank in order to
facilitate the foreclosure of Mollers Property.
(46) Colo. Rev. Stat. 4-3-407 defines Alteration as follows:
(a)
(b)
24
This version of the Note bears an indorsement in blank executed by Jess Almanza, AVP of Washington
Mutual Bank, FA. According to his Linked-In Profile, Jess Almanza was employed by Washington Mutual from August
1999 through July 2006. (See http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jess-almanza/6/545/664).
26
(c)
(47) Moller challenged the indorsement on the Note and the standing of Deutsche Bank, who
appears to have acquired the Mortgage Loan by way of the Corporate Assignment of Deed of
Trust dated April 10, 2013, five (5) months after Moller had provided notice to JPMC.
Moller captioned her correspondence of November 22, 2012 with the following header:
NOTICE AND DEMAND TO VALIDATE DEBT CLAIM
NOTICE TO AGENT IS NOTICE TO PRINCIPAL AND NOTICE TO PRINCIPAL IS NOTICE TO AGENT
(48) By sending this demand, Moller put JPMC and Deutsche Bank on notice of her claim and
shifted the burden of proof to them.25
(49) As she would do with a personal check made out to a specific payee that had been lost or
stolen, Moller knew it was imperative that she take affirmative action to stop payment on
the Note in order to mitigate the risk of further loss to herself, and to the real party in
interest, while she attempted to ascertain the identity of the counter party to her mortgage
contract.
(50) JPMCs response was, essentially, to brush off Mollers demands and institute non-judicial
foreclosure proceedings.26
25
Goodwin v. Dist. Court In & For the Sixteenth Judicial Dist., 779 P.2d 843 (Colo. 1989). In Goodwin, the
Colorado Supreme Court noted that, once a debtor raises the real party in interest defense in a Rule 120 proceeding, "the
burden should devolve upon the party seeking the order of sale to show that he or she is indeed the real party in
interest." 779 P.2d at 843. Although Goodwin describes the relative burdens of proof in a Rule 120 hearing, the burden
of proof may possibly be reversed in a collateral attack since the person seeking relief from the Rule 120 order bears the
burden of showing entitlement to such relief. See Colo. R. Civ. P. 120 (noting that an aggrieved person may seek
injunctive relief); Plymouth Capital Co., Inc. v. Dist. Court of Elbert Cnty., 955 P.2d 1014, 1017 (Colo. 1998) (noting
that the aggrieved parties "may then present evidence showing a likelihood of success on the merits of their defenses in
support of injunctive relief" from the order authorizing the sale) (emphasis added).
26
Id., 779 P.2d 837, 842 (Colo. 1989); see Premier Farm Credit, PCA v. W-Cattle, LLC, 155 P.3d 504, 512
(Colo. App. 2006) (noting that a district court must consider "all relevant evidence" in a Rule 120 hearing). For a
moving party to show that it is entitled to initiate a public trustee foreclosure sale, it must provide evidence of default
and establish that it is the real party that is entitled to enforce the power of sale contained in the deed of trust.
Goodwin, 779 P.2d at 843. By contrast, a debtor objecting to the issuance of an order authorizing sale may present
relevant evidence challenging whether the "moving parties are the real parties in interest and also [whether] the asserted
defenses of waiver and estoppel" are applicable. Goodwin, 779 P.2d at 844. (emphasis supplied)
27
(52) Through my access to Bloomberg I was able to download the payment history associated
with Mollers Mortgage Loan as that is being reported to investors. I found that
notwithstanding Moller has withheld her payments pending the resolution of her dispute,
payments have been advanced on her behalf and her loan is current. (See Exhibit U. Bloomberg History of Mollers Mortgage Loan, 12/29/2013)
(53) It appears that Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp., the Master Servicer, is
advancing these payments from the credit support available through the excess spread27
derived from the cash flow generated by the Mortgage Pool Assets. This waterfall structure
is delineated in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement and will continue until the credit
enhancements have been exhausted.
(54) As it now stands, the credit support has risen from 2.80% of the principal balance at
origination, to 9.33% of the outstanding balance of the remaining 84 loans. Hence, I would
expect to find that Mollers Mortgage Loan will remain current for some time. (See Exhibit
O. - Bloomberg Research Results)
27
The excess spread is the difference between the interest rate received on the underlying collateral and the
coupon on the issued security. It is typically one of the first defenses against loss. Even if some of the underlying loan
payments are late or default, the coupon payment can still be made. In the process of "turboing", excess spread is applied
to outstanding classes as principal. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_enhancement#cite_note-Dwight-1)
28
(57) Bloomberg reports that as of December 29, 2013, there were only 84 out of 2448 loans
remaining in the WAMU 2003-AR3 Trust. (See Exhibit O. Bloomberg Research Results,
page 3, Collateral Loan Performance)
(58) It seems logical that the number of investors in the Trust has also dwindled to the point
where it should not be difficult or burdensome for JPMC and/or Deutsche Bank to identify
the entities who claim to own the remnant consisting of these 84 loans.
(59) In addition, this Deal has been subject to a 5% clean up call for some time now and it is
entirely possible that all Certificateholders who actually funded the acquisition of the
Mortgage Pool Assets have been paid off. Bloomberg also reports that the Residual Class has
been paid off for some time, further calling into question who owns what at this stage of
the game.
(60) For these reasons, it is critical that Deutsche Bank disclose the identity of the real party in
interest so that Mollers dispute may be resolved fair-mindedly and with certainty.
29
Section 404 of The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 became effective May 20, 2009. For
further information: See https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2010/09/24/2010-20664/regulation-z-truth-in-lending.
30
Section 404 of the Act amends Section 131 of TILA to add a new subsection (g) which provides that, in
addition to other disclosures required by the TILA, not later than 30 days after the date on which a mortgage loan is sold
or otherwise transferred or assigned to a third party, the creditor that is the new owner or assignee of the debt shall notify
the borrower in writing of the transfer. The notice must include the identity, address and telephone number of the new
creditor; the date of the transfer; how to reach an agent or party having authority to act on behalf of the new creditor; the
location of the place where transfer of ownership of the debt is recorded; and any other relevant information regarding
the new creditor. (See also http://www.troutmansanders.com/the-helping-families-save-their-homes-act-06-04-2009/)
31
See Ames et al v. J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. et al, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, Civil
Case No. 8:13-cv-00806.
30
Receiver of Washington Mutual Bank f/k/a Washington Mutual Bank, FA (FDIC). (See
Exhibit L. Corporate Assignment of Deed of Trust, 04/10/2013)
(71) No Corporate Resolution authorizing Anderson was attached; nor was the Power of Attorney
referenced therein. I performed an online search of the Boulder County Recorders Office
but could not locate a Power of Attorney authorizing JPMC to execute documents on behalf
of the FDIC.
(72) I am aware of a certain Limited Power of Attorney effective September 25, 2008 in which
the FDIC authorized JPMC to execute certain documents in connection with Washington
Mutual loans as its Attorney-in-Fact. However, that authority terminated on September 25,
2010. Thus, JPMC must prove its authority in order to establish the validity of the
Assignment.
(73) The more serious problem with this Assignment is that it is a fiction; i.e., it represents a
transaction that did not take place in reality.
(74) As explained above, Mollers Mortgage Loan was allegedly securitized on February 25,
2003 according to a precise set of conveyances mandated by the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement. The only way that Mollers Mortgage Loan could be conveyed to Deutsche
Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for the WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates
Series 2003-AR3 Trust is by following the true sale conveyances outlined in the PSA which
had to be completed by February 25, 2003, or within 90 days thereof.
(75) Table 2 below compares and contrasts the transfers dictated by the PSA with the documents
recorded in the Boulder County Recorders Office.
Table 2 Chain of Title
FACT
Source: Bloomberg & SEC Research
FICTION
Source: Recorders Office
31
(76) By comparing these two scenarios, we can see how one breeder document (the Assignment)
which is automatically accorded validity simply because it has been recorded sets up a
chain reaction and creates an overwhelming record which, though fraudulent, is difficult for
the homeowner to refute without the assistance of an expert.
(77) Table 2 also reveals how a fraudulent assignment is used to conceal unrecorded transfers,
e.g., the sale of Mollers Mortgage Loan from Washington Mutual Bank, FA to Washington
Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp., and from Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp.
to the Trust. As a result, the chain of title to Mollers Property has been corrupted and the
Boulder County Clerk and Recorders Office has been deprived of revenue.
(78) When this process is repeated systematically over time, the accuracy, transparency and
reliability of the public land records diminishes to such an extent that the underlying real
property loses its marketability, and therefore, its value.
(79) Accordingly, it is in the public interest to enact and enforce laws that will ensure the integrity
of our land evidence recording systems.
32
(82) Invalid assignments are typically created and executed without lawful authority or right, bear
indicia of fraud (i.e. robo-signing; improper notarization and/or acknowledgments) and are
sometimes created and executed without the knowledge of the legal owner and holder of the
mortgage obligation. Often, invalid assignments contain fatal defects therein that invalidate
the purported transfer, or cause the document to be un-recordable.
(83) On the basis of the facts set forth herein, and in my capacity as a Certified Fraud Examiner, I
find that the above referenced Corporate Assignment of Deed of Trust contains false
statements, misrepresentations, and omissions of material fact as follows:
i.
It is a false statement for LeShonda Anderson to swear that on April 10, 2013, the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver of Washington Mutual Bank
F/K/A Washington Mutual Bank, FA assigned the Moller Deed of Trust to Deutsche
Bank National Trust Company as Trustee for WaMu Mortgage Pass Through
Certificates Series 2003-AR3 (Assignee or Deutsche Bank) for the following
reasons:
My research using the Bloomberg Professional data service provides historic
and current evidence that Mollers Mortgage Loan is, and has since its
inception, been tracked as an asset of the WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through
Certificates Series 2003-AR3 Trust. [Refer to Section I, Paragraphs 1-11 of
this Report.] (See Exhibit O. Bloomberg Research Results, 03/23/2013)
The Deal Documents, filed with the SEC, provide credible evidence that
Washington Mutual Bank, FA divested all right, title and interest in and to
Mollers Mortgage Loan when it sold the subject Note and Mortgage to
Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp. on or before February 25,
2003. [Refer to Section I, Paragraphs 22-24 of this Report.]
The PSA also stipulates that Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp.,
the Depositor, transferred and assigned the Mortgage Pool Assets
(presumably including the Moller Note and Mortgage) to Deutsche Bank
National Trust Company as Trustee on February 25, 2003 when the
securitization closed. [Refer to Section I, Paragraphs 25-26 of this Report.]
ii.
iii.
33
remoteness and favored tax status as a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
(REMIC) pursuant to Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 860G.
(84) LeShonda Anderson executed the Assignment in her alleged capacity as Vice President of JP
Morgan Chase Bank, National Association as Attorney-in-Fact for Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, as Receiver of Washington Mutual Bank F/K/A Washington Mutual Bank, FA.
No Corporate Resolution was attached; nor was the Power of Attorney referenced therein
that would demonstrate Anderson had the authority to act on behalf of the FDIC in this
matter. [Refer to Section III, Paragraphs 69-72 of this Report.]
(85) With this background in mind, it becomes evident that the Anderson Assignment is a selfdealing breeder document prepared, executed and recorded by and at the direction of
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. the Servicer of Mollers Mortgage Loan in order to institute
foreclosure proceedings on behalf of the Trust.
(86) In summation, the purported conveyance described in the April 10, 2013, Assignment is a
deception and, by definition, it is without legal force and effect.
34
Washington Mutual Bank had divested all right, title and interest in and to Mollers Note
and Deed of Trust on or before February 25, 2003, when it sold the Mortgage Loan to
Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp.
Consequently, the FDIC could not sell for a second time that which Washington
Mutual had relinquished more than 10 years earlier. (Nemo Dat Quod Non Habet )32
The books and records maintained by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Andersons
employer, contain detailed information regarding the history of Mollers Mortgage Loan;
the identification of the current owner; and the vesting of servicing rights only in JPMC.
(90) Thus, the Corporate Assignment of Deed of Trust is a nullity; the transaction it purports to
represent did not and could not take place in reality. This Assignment is fictitious; it is a selfdealing breeder document prepared, executed and recorded by and at the direction of
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. under false pretenses so that it could institute a non-judicial
foreclosure action and seize Mollers Property on behalf of the Trust without having to prove
its standing.
32
Nemo dat quod non habet literally meaning "no one [can] give what they don't have" is a legal rule,
sometimes called the nemo dat rule that states that the purchase of a possession from someone who has no ownership
right to it also denies the purchaser any ownership title. This rule usually stays valid even if the purchaser does not know
that the seller has no right to claim ownership of the object of the transaction (bona fide). (From:
http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Nemo_dat_quod_non_habet)
35
shall be liable to such owner for the damages and attorney fees
provided for in this subsection (3). (emphasis supplied)
Summary: As part of the Office of Inspector Generals (OIG) nationwide effort to review the foreclosure
practices of the five largest Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage servicers (Bank of America, Wells Fargo
Bank, CitiMortgage, JP Morgan Chase, and Ally Financial, Incorporated) we reviewed JPMorgan Chases foreclosure
and claims processes. In addition to this memorandum, OIG issued separate memorandums for each of the other four
reviews. OIG performed these reviews due to reported allegations made in the fall of 2010 that national mortgage
servicers were engaged in widespread questionable foreclosure practices involving the use of foreclosure mills and a
practice known as robosigning of sworn documents in thousands of foreclosures throughout the United States. (See:
http://www.hudoig.gov/reports/featured_reports.php)
36
mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure processing. The FRB found that these deficiencies
represent significant and pervasive compliance failures and unsafe and unsound practices at
these institutions. The FRBs Consent Order stated that JPMC:
(a) Filed or caused to be filed in state courts and in connection with
bankruptcy proceedings in federal courts numerous affidavits executed by
employees of the Mortgage Servicing Companies or employees of thirdparty providers making various assertions, such as the ownership of the
mortgage note and mortgage, the amount of principal and interest due, and
the fees and expenses chargeable to the borrower, in which the affiant
represented that the assertions in the affidavit were made based on
personal knowledge or based on a review by the affiant of the relevant
books and records, when, in many cases, they were not based on such
knowledge or review;
(b) Filed or caused to be filed in state courts and in connection with
bankruptcy proceedings in federal courts or in the local land record offices,
numerous affidavits and other mortgage-related documents that were not
properly notarized, including those not signed or affirmed in the presence
of a notary;
(c) Litigated foreclosure and bankruptcy proceedings and initiated nonjudicial foreclosures without always confirming that documentation of
ownership was in order at the appropriate time, including confirming
that the promissory note and mortgage document were properly
endorsed or assigned and, if necessary, in the possession of the
appropriate party;
(d) Failed to respond in a sufficient and timely manner to the increased level
of foreclosures by increasing financial, staffing, and managerial resources
to ensure that the Mortgage Servicing Companies adequately handled the
foreclosure process; failed to respond in a sufficient and timely manner to
the increased level of Loss Mitigation Activities to ensure timely,
effective and efficient communication with borrowers with respect to Loss
Mitigation Activities and foreclosure activities; and full exploration of
Loss Mitigation options or programs prior to completion of foreclosure
activities34
(97) Subsequent to the issuance of the Cease and Desist and Consent Orders on April 13, 2011,
the joint federal regulators ordered an Independent Foreclosure Review. After one year and
$1.5 billion paid to outside consultants in a failed attempt to audit the banks foreclosure
files, the controversial audit was scrapped in favor of a global settlement.
34
See http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/enforcement/enf20110413a5.pdf
37
(98) On February 28, 2013, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal
Reserve Board released amendments35 to their enforcement actions against 13 mortgage
servicers including JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. for deficient practices in mortgage
loan servicing and foreclosure processing. The amendments require the servicers to provide
$9.3 billion in payments and other assistance to borrowers.
35
36
The National Settlement Agreement and related documents can be further researched at:
https://d9klfgibkcquc.cloudfront.net/Servicing%20Standards%20Highlights.pdf.
38
Conclusions
In conclusion, based on (1) my having confirmed that the loan in question is being tracked as an
asset of the WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2003-AR3 Trust; (2) an
examination of the Corporate Assignment of Deed of Trust recorded on April 16, 2013, with the
Boulder County Clerk and Recorders Office; and (3) my experience and specialized knowledge
with respect to the securitization process, it is my opinion, subject to further discovery and a
complete forensic examination of this transaction, that:
As recounted in the Abstract section of this report, from March 1, 2003 (the first payment
due date) to November 1, 2012, Moller maintained her mortgage obligation in good
standing. [See Abstract: p. 8,]
On November 22, 2012, Moller became aware of reports that certain portfolio loans
allegedly acquired by the FDIC from Washington Mutual had not been transferred to
JPMC. Concerned that her payments were not being made to the proper party, Moller
sent JPMC a demand for full disclosure of the name, address, and phone number of the
bank or investor that owns this account. [See Analysis: p. 25, 41]
As a precaution, and in order to mitigate the risk of further loss to herself and to the real
party in interest while she attempted to ascertain the identity of the counter party to her
mortgage contract, Moller ceased making payments to JPMC as of December 1, 2012.
Through my access to Bloomberg I was able to download the payment history associated
with Mollers Mortgage Loan as that is being reported to the Trust investors. I found that
notwithstanding Moller has withheld her payments pending the resolution of her dispute,
payments have been advanced on her behalf and her loan is current. [See Analysis: p.
28, 51-54 & Exhibit U]
JPMCs response to Mollers demands was, essentially, to brush them off and institute
non-judicial foreclosure proceedings against her on behalf of Deutsche Bank. [See
Abstract: pp. 9-10 & Exhibits M and N]
I reviewed the alleged evidence of debt Deutsche Bank appended to its Rule 120 Motion
and became concerned that the Note (or a copy of it) had been altered after the fact with
an endorsement in blank in order to facilitate the foreclosure of Mollers Property. [See
Analysis: pp. 26-27, 44-46 & Exhibit T]
I also analyzed the Corporate Assignment of Deed of Trust prepared by JPMC on behalf
of the FDIC and found it to be unauthorized, fictitious, and ten (10) years too late. [See
Analysis: pp. 28-36, 55-91]
Thus, I conclude that the instruments presented to the Court in support of Deutsche
Banks Rule 120 Motion are suspicious at best, and raise a genuine issue of material fact
with respect to Deutsche Banks standing to bring the action.
Securitization Analysis and Foreclosure Forensics Property of Lorraine Mary Moller
2014 McDonnell Property Analytics, All Rights Reserved
39
I found that the Mortgage Loan in question or an economic interest therein was
allegedly securitized into the WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2003AR3 Trust on February 25, 2003. Therefore, the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated
February 1, 2003 (PSA) governs the conveyance of the Mortgage Loan in strict
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. [See Analysis: pp. 15-17, 1-10]
Before the subject Mortgage Loan could be securitized the Lender/Originator,
Washington Mutual Bank, FA, had to transfer and assign the Note and Deed of Trust to
Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp., the Depositor, as required by a Mortgage
Loan Purchase Agreement (MLPA) which was unavailable for my review.
In a simultaneous transaction set forth in Section 2.04 of the PSA, the Depositor
(Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp.), was to transfer and assign the
Mortgage Pool Assets to the Issuing Entity (WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates
Series 2003-AR3 Trust) on February 25, 2003, the Closing Date for this Deal. [See
Analysis: p. 19, 22-26]
Other than the PSA filed with the SEC, there is no available evidence that these transfers
ever took place; nor are there books and records available that would prove consideration
was paid incident to these alleged true sales.
Section 2.05 of the PSA provides that when the Depositor acquires the Mortgage Loans
from an affiliate, the mortgage notes will not be endorsed, and the mortgages will not
be assigned, to the Trust. [See Analysis: pp. 20-21, 27-30]
The conundrum in this case requires the Court to determine who has the right to enforce
the Note and foreclose the Deed of Trust in light of the fact that the PSA appears to
contract around the conveyance of the Mortgage Loans under Article 3 of the Uniform
Commercial Code (UCC), and suggests that the transfer and assignment is made
pursuant to Article 9.
The drafters of Washington Mutuals securitization documents foresaw that a court (or
the Internal Revenue Service) might ultimately conclude that its securitization model
failed to qualify as a true sale whereupon the transaction might be viewed as a debt
financing arrangement or a hypothecation. Section 2.04 of the Pooling and Servicing
Agreement provides that in such case, the Mortgage Pool Assets would remain property
of the Depositor, Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp. (WMMSC), and that
the Trust would have a security interest in those assets. [See Analysis: p. 21, 33, and
footnote #16]
It is my opinion, based on these facts, that the Trust acquired only the rights to the
payment intangibles, i.e., the cash flow generated by the underlying mortgage loans.
If the Court concurs and finds that the Trust has only a security interest in the Mortgage
Pool Assets, then the Depositor, Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp.
(WMMSC), may be the rightful owner of Mollers Mortgage Loan providing, of
course, that WMMSC can demonstrate it acquired the Mortgage Loan from Washington
Securitization Analysis and Foreclosure Forensics Property of Lorraine Mary Moller
2014 McDonnell Property Analytics, All Rights Reserved
40
Mutual Bank, FA in the first place; and that it paid consideration for it as required by
Article 9 of the UCC.
Since the Trust paid WMMSC by issuing securities which, on a pro-rata basis, exceeded
the principal amount of Mollers Mortgage Loan, WMMSC would be required to
repurchase it as provided for in the Pooling and Servicing Agreement before it can
acquire status as the Note Holder.
My research revealed that Washington Mutual Mortgage Securities Corp. is currently
subject to repurchase demands from Deutsche Bank for all 2406 of the mortgage loans
originated by Washington Mutual Bank that were securitized into the WaMu Mortgage
Pass-Through Certificates Series 2003-AR3 Trust. [See Analysis: pp. 23-25, 37-39]
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMC), the Servicer for the Trust, realized that proving
these transfers actually took place would be extremely difficult if not impossible and so,
it took a shortcut.
On April 10, 2013, in an attempt to mask the securitization fail described above, JPMC
prepared, executed, and subsequently recorded a Corporate Assignment of Deed of Trust
(Assignment) which purports to transfer Mollers Mortgage Loan from the FDIC as
Receiver for Washington Mutual to Deutsche Bank as Trustee for the Trust. [See
Abstract: p. 9 & Exhibit L]
For all of the reasons explained in painstaking detail above, I concluded that the
Assignment is a nullity; the transaction it purports to represent did not and could not take
place in reality. This Assignment is fictitious; it is a self-dealing breeder document
prepared, executed and recorded by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. under false pretenses
so that it could institute a non-judicial foreclosure action and seize Mollers Property on
behalf of the Trust. By definition, this Assignment is void ab initio. [See Analysis: pp.
28-36, 55-91]
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.s practice of manufacturing false and fraudulent foreclosure
documents and enlisting robo-signers to execute them is against public policy and is
prohibited by the Joint Federal Regulators Cease and Desist and Consent Order of April
13, 2011; the National Mortgage Settlement of April 5, 2012; and the Independent
Foreclosure Review Settlement announced on February 28, 2013. [See Analysis: pp. 3638, 92-102]
Due to the complexities of this matter and the competing interests among Deutsche Bank
National Trust Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the subject Mortgage Loan cannot be foreclosed non-judicially as
it is unclear who, if any of these entities, has the right to enforce the instruments. [See
Analysis: pp. 22-25, 34-39]
The factual and expert opinions stated above are based on my research, review of and reliance
upon the documents and information supplied to date. I reserve the right to amend and
Securitization Analysis and Foreclosure Forensics Property of Lorraine Mary Moller
2014 McDonnell Property Analytics, All Rights Reserved
41
supplement my opinion based on documents and data gathered through the discovery process
and supplied to me in the future.
Therefore, based on my education, specialized knowledge and professional expertise as a
Mortgage Fraud and Forensic Analyst and a Certified Fraud Examiner, I find, with a reasonable
degree of certainty, that the opinions expressed herein are true and accurate.
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________________
42
Table of Exhibits
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
T.
U.
43