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© Jonathan Alcorn / Reuters / REUTERS
Ana Casas Wilson, who has cerebral palsy, sits in the living room of her South Gate, Calif. in December 2011. Wells Fargo has completed foreclosure on the home and eviction could be imminent, but Wilson refuses to leave, and argues that the foreclosure was unecessary.
A woman engaged in a bitter battle with Wells Fargo over foreclosure of her southern California home was arrested late Thursday at the tony residence of the bank's CFO in San Marino, where she and dozens of supporters were protesting.
Ana Casas Wilson, 49, who lives in the working-class neighborhood of South Gate, faces eviction from her childhood home. Like many people who have been through foreclosure, she says that the bank wrongly denied her a loan modification and moved to foreclose even when she was able to catch up.
In an action that is becoming increasingly common, Wilson has taken her complaint public and her protest directly to bank officials. In Thursday’s protest, with at least 80 supporters, she attempted to deliver her mortgage payment directly to Tim Sloan, the top financial officer for Wells Fargo. In addition to protesting the foreclosure, the group was challenging an ordinance created last year making it harder to picket in this wealthy enclave.
"People are deciding to take this stand that was previously a little unthinkable," said Peter Kuhns, with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, which helped organize this and other "home defense" actions. "They are risking arrest, refusing to leave, getting their families involved and putting themselves out there."
Many people are shedding the sense of shame of foreclosure, which kept most people silent in the past, even if they didn’t think they had done anything wrong, he said.
"More and more people are standing up and willing to go public because there is no other remedy and putting public pressure on the bank," said Kuhns.
Wells Fargo did not respond directly to Wilson's situation, but provided a statement in response to queries about her.
"Wells Fargo works very hard to keep customers in their homes whenever possible," said the statement, sent by Jennifer Langan in corporate communications. "We review our customers for a variety of modification options, from HAMP, HARP, HAFA and through our own proprietary programs. Despite these efforts, if a customer is 16 or more months delinquent, it can be extremely difficult to recover."
Some homeowners who have taken this high-profile approach in their fight against foreclosure, enlisting the support of protesters from the Occupy movement and housing activists, are finding success at it.
Occupy movement targets Wells Fargo shareholder meeting
The case of Rose Gudiel, reported by msnbc.com last year, is one example. In October, Gudiel was hunkered down in her home, surrounded by supporters, awaiting eviction. But at the eleventh hour, lender Fanny Mae canceled the eviction notice and offered her a loan modification, enabling her to keep the home.
Peter Kuhns, ACCE
Ana Casas Wilson, sitting, and supporter Rose Gudiel demonstrating in front of the home of Wells Fargo CFO Tim Sloand on Thursday.
Many similar foreclosure battles are under way nationwide, with support from a movement called Occupy our Homes.
Wilson, who has cerebral palsy, lives with her husband, who works as a school janitor, her teen son and her mother, who helps care for her. She has worked as a court reporter, and as an advocate for the disabled.
The trouble covering the mortgage started when she was treated for breast cancer in 2009, and her husband’s income declined as a result of cutting hours to help take care of her. They got behind, but their income stabilized several months later. By then, the bank had moved into foreclosure proceedings and would not accept her payments or discuss ways to catch up, Kuhns said.
The implication in Wells Fargo's statement that Wilson was 16 months behind is misleading, says Kuhns, because for most of that time, the bank refused to take her payments.
Thursday’s protest was on Wilson’s behalf, and it was more generally challenging a San Marino ordinance adopted last November – just a few weeks after a protest of predatory lending practices on Sloan’s front lawn. That demonstration, involving about 100 protesters, was peaceful and ended without incident, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Under the statute, picketers must keep 150 feet from a target residence, or 75 feet from the curb adjacent to the home, whichever is farther.
"The purpose of the ordinance is not to reduce picketing, but to protect the people who are the victims of picketing," police Chief John Schaefer told the Times when it was passed. "We're a prime target. We have a lot of people who fit the profile to be the victim of this type of crime."
Video from the protest posted by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune shows protesters carrying signs and chanting "Wells Fargo, shame on you!" in the street in front of the home.
Wilson is shown crossing a police cordon in her wheelchair to deliver a check to Sloan. She knocks several times, but gets no answer.
"He's embarrassed," Wilson tells the Tribune. "That's why he won't come out. ... He knows that what they are doing is wrong."
Wilson was arrested under the anti-picketing statute, after protesters and police faced off for about two hours. She was released about an hour later and is expected to appear in court in early June.
"The leaders of Wells Fargo and the members of their family should be afforded the right to feel safe in their private residence and we encourage all organizations choosing to demonstrate at private residences to abide by the law for the safety of the general public," the Wells Fargo statement said.
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Leave a Comment:
Really? And what about the people they are regularly pitching out of their homes for the sake of tax write-offs or whatever value the bank derives from homes sold at much less than market value or allowed to deteriorate beyond possibility of sale? Do they and their family members have a right to feel safe in their private residences? Or is that just for rich folks?
We hates 'em, we duz, my precious. Banksy peoples are EVIL!
It's not your home till you pay for it. Maybe they should have thought before they bought..
Well I lost everything in a divorce, so what the hell, if the lawyers or government don't take it, the dam bankers will.
Why aren't all these ratbag bankers in jail? The answer is that they've bought Congress and most of the Executive power has defaulted to Wall Street stooges who cycle through the revolving door between Wall Street and the White House. Know who you're voting for and when your candidate gets to Washington and suddenly forgets he or she has a constituency do something about it. Either take back the government from the ratbags or be further enslaved.
How warped is our government. We don't arrest the officials of the bamks which are a major cause of our past and present financial difficulties. And Yet we arrest a poor woman with cerebral palsey for fighting for her home.
They don't arrest the people who speculated their home prices would go up and took out mortgages they couldn't afford either did they? Or maybe the banks should have told the politicians and people like John Bartley above who thinks someone should just give him everything to f*ck off..
I just think people would be more content as a whole, wilman. If you were working in a fab shop ( or whatever) that made jet skis, I feel you should not have to worry about things that are necessary for survival. Even though the jet skis he helps to produce aren't necessities for living, they add to social and cultural enjoyment and therefore important. This said worker should get a house adequate the size of his needs ( regarding immediate family) i.e., spouse, children, elderly family members. This, of course, is just an example; a rhetorical diorama that I think could encourage stability and foster new and more culturally sound modes of existing.
The problem is that she can't make up the missed payments, although she can make payments now, I don't see why these institutions won't add it at the end of the loan in some form. It's not like their is a line of people waiting to buy housing real-estate. It isn't as though they are being asked to be humane without regard to profit. The institutions usually lose money in repossessions.
wallace - the reason they don't do this is because many of these people end up not paying. The majority of the people that applied for modifications and had mortgages mortified still ended up loosing their homes.
You have decent income but bad credit for whatever reason and then Wells Fargo will lend you 33,000 for your new car which will cost you 54,000 when you pay in full 7 years later. They wouldn't loan it if they thought the person could not pay! Make no mistake about that! The credit score legally allows them to charge an interest rate that will make money for the company fast! The less than perfect credit person won't get a better offer...They must take the risk they can make the payments for the duration....The extreme interest makes it more likely they will continue to fall behind on something which allows everyone from car insurance, home insurance, utilities deposits and the list goes on to legally charge excessive fees or high deposits. Most people will make those payments and keep that car even if they sometimes get behind enough to keep the credit messed up. Wells Fargo will have come close to doubling their money in 7 years. Think what the WF take is if any of these folks make late payments even a few times, which is highly likely on interest rates like that. Predatory is when anyone makes a loan that excessively fleeces the people as they pay it back and gives prolonged power to the lender over the debtor. There was a time when even in the early 90s late payments fell off credit reports after 2 years of staying up to date....Then some folks rigged the game to make it 7 years or 1/4 of most people's working life. That increased their odds of keeping many in the high interest rate category for fleecing.
If they had the money and I assume they do, couldn't they go to a different bank and get a loan there? She needs to try it if her income has stabilized. If not sell that home and buy another one that has been foreclosed on for cheap. She may end up with a lot nicer home that costs less. Who has to live in their childhood home? Mine was torn down a long time ago.
Business is business. Rules are rules. There is no doubt in my mind Wells Fargo has made/makes those rules clearly available to anyone who has a mortgage,disability or not. Those rules were violated. There are consequences. But you liberal retards are always looking for some touchy-feely compassionate emotional B.S. way of getting around the rules. YOU are the ones responsible for the pussification of America and the breakdown of the a terrific capitalist system. No,money isn't EVERYTHING in life,but in this case it sure is...get over it!!!
Can never get over how naive some of you people are....Banks are businesses period....They don't give a rats ass about anything but their profit margin....Why do so many of you have a problem with understanding that.
This bank has been foreclosing on soldiers in afghanistan, and these soldiers are protected by law....THEY DON'T CARE.
And for you Republicans saying Obama,Obama,Obama, etc.....Just before Bush left office he gave the banks overseas 700 billion dollars AS A GIFT to bail them out of the housing crisis...(their U.S. investments)
If they can pay the current mortgage with ease after catching up what is the problem Wells Fargo? She became ill, everyone does at some point in their lives and her husband took care of her. SHOW SOME COMPASSION AND REMODIFY HER LOAN.
There used to be a law in New Hampshire that if a creditor refused any sort of payment, the debt was cancelled. It ought to be the law everywhere.
AMEN
This is a shame. When did our country stop working together to help one another? She is trying hard to keep her home. Her circumstances could happen to any one of us at any time. For those of you who think you are above this and blame her, I feel for you because reality is that no matter how much money you have or how successful you are, you can still lose it all due to unexpected happenings of daily life. THings like illness, accidents, job loss can hit anyone at anytime no matter how secure you feel. Then what? Your bank tells you to "get out" no matter how many years you have been on time with payments. That is just plain wrong! People work hard to have a home. We, as a country, do need to wake up and stop this insane cycle where we work hard and have nothing to show for it at the end of the day due to situations like this.
It's ironic on so many levels. The, "Family should be afforded the right to feel safe in their private residence and we encourage all organizations... to abide by the law." From not abiding by laws, to being safe in your own home, to actually making up new laws.
This is total BS!! I am so sick and tired of seeing these Poor me stories!!#1 i wouldn't buy a house if I couldn't make my payments #2 if I suddenly became ill and couldn't afford i would sell. #3 you all have to stop blaming the banks the president and the entire world for your own stupidity !!!! #4 grow up and demonstrate some responsibility. The truth be said If i borrowed ten bucks from any of you losers you would sue the s*it out of me !!The banks are in the business to make a profit IDIOTS ! you signed the legal document to pay off mortgage NO ONE held a gun to your whinny as% head the day you bought the house!!
What if you couldn't sell the house? What if the value of the home had dropped significantly, and you now owed more than the house was "worth" to the banks? If you sell the house for less than you owe, you still have to come up with the rest, right? How do you do that? That is the problem alot of people are facing. And Bob, if I loaned you 10 bucks (I would expect to be paid back 10 dollars, not 15) and you didn't pay me back, I would probably take the loss as it would cost me a heck of alot more than that to try to sue you. I just would not give you another loan unless you could prove you could/would pay it back. Of course, I am not in the business of giving out loans and making money off of it.
Right on Bob
Lies of the GOP & Tea bagger, Citizens United and all the Alec corps ( WALMART ): that pay off the Politician. Its all about the Wealthy getting richer and the middle class getting poorer.....They don't want to help the poor, I do mean the poor not the lazy good for nothings...Who are the one's that leach off the taxpayer. The Wealthy: they get welfare both for themselves an for the Corps. ...But it seems that the Wealthy get away with it ..They steal billions and the few poor steals a few thousands. So what does the GOP want, is Screw the MIddle Class to get even with the few. As I say its the me me me and F everyone else.... The failures of the Republicans party trying to take away SS & Medicare & Health care for Woman so they can give their wealthy Blackmailers more money...To hell with the Poor and Needy. Let them freeze in the winter and stave the Old and Babies,let them die from bad water, do away with the EPA and thats what you'll have, just like all you Tea baggers want...You make me sick with your Me Me Me altitude. It just a matter of time before the masses raise up against you . Greedy and you all call yourself Christians, Christains. What a laugh: Wake up America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WAKE UP
This is typical Wells Fargo....ruthless and uncaring! Too bad she did not have her mortgage with a Credit Union, they would have never done this to a handicapped person. Shame on you Wells Fargo! This woman has had the money to catch up on her mortgage and you will not accept it....you choose not to work with her. The Banking Commission should investigate your business practices and hopefully take your license away!!!
Like everyone else, those employed by the banking commission accepts bribes also. It is going to take a united people to change the direction of our country.
The Recession is a bipartisan effort...
The Gramm–Leach-Bliley Act (GLB) of 1999 finally ended the regulations of the. The Glass Steagall Act.
(a big Thank You to Republican Senators, Phil Gramm, Jim Leach, and Tom Bliley) and a tip of the hat to Bill Clinton who actually signed this repeal into law.)
Effectively leading the U.S. into this recession we are saddled with today.
In light of the problems the banking industry is having keeping all their accounts straight
( due to mergers,loss of data continuity,foreclosures,MERS & other malfeasance )
I submit it's time to reenact the Glass Seagall Act of 1933. It effectively regulated for almost 70 years ( no need for new committees and hearings thus saving time and expense).
And break up the 4 mega banks that caused the problems "We" face today.
If we are too ignorant to unite as citizens, take control of our government, and force it to bring Wall Street under control, we deserve whatever we get. If the American people insist on following the lead of those who divide the people of our country along political lines, and manipulate us to fight over extreme political positions, you are getting exactly what you ask for. There is a moderate position that we can collectively move to and resolve the majority of our nation's problems. If you are unwilling to move to such position, you are what's wrong with America. If you are so party conscious that you can't be practical or have an open mind, and do that which is best for your country, you deserve a country that's controlled by the elite. We have a choice, but we allow our ignorance, biased views, and personal feelings to dictate our views on what's best for our country. Until we can stop behaving like idiots, and unite as citizens, nothing will change for the better in our country. We have the power to take control of our government and change the direction of our country. If you can't see the logic in what I'm saying, there is really something wrong with you. Unite or suffer.
"We're a prime target. We have a lot of people who fit the profile to be the victim of this type of crime."
This statement by itself is why everyone who deals with Wells Fargo should find a new bank. After being bailed out, they have no time for the average tax payer that paid for that bail out. Such arrogance, Shame on you Wells Fargo!
It is the citizens who allow Wall Street to do as they please. As long as we are fighting over which political party should control the country, instead of forcing both of them to be functional and accountable, we are creating an atmosphere for corruption and abusive behavior. It is time we take responsibility for our less than intelligent behavior. If we should place our personal feelings aside and focus on that which is best for the country, America will become a great country. The potentials have always been there. Unity is the answer.
I struggled many years ago (1988) after a sudden divorce & terrible adjustable mortgage in a great new home we just bought before he took off that went up super high. I worked 3 jobs to make ends meet & kept a roof over my kids head in a terrible situation. I refinanced 5 times in 5 years & started to progress with a better loan. Well I'm still here today & paid in full. I got no help from no one & did make alot of money. My kids were unattended at times, I went to work sick, I went to work when the kids were sick. Drove a very old battered car. The last thing I would have done was cut my hours. I worked overtime any chance I had & begged my boss for OT. Her husband & her made a bad choice when he cut his work hours. Her mother was with them to take care of her so her hubby never should have cut his hours. Hubby's are great but don't usually make good caretakers either, sorry guys. Can't blame the banks for your mistakes.
Jeesh: Not every mon is a super mom like you..and if someone turnd you in to SS because you left your kids alone then the state would have paid for them...
When will the government recognise that what the BIG BANKS such as Wells Fargo is doing to to hard working americans is criminal?Fining them does not scare them. they simply take away some more homes, flip them and pay the fines.Wells Fargo has long been engaging in the illegal act of steering homeowners toward foreclosure.They destroy paperwork,fire employees,spy on your property,send people to leave flyers in your door and countless other illegal activities.People,do not be afraid to picket,harasss and intimidate them as they do to us.They are criminals......no better than any other organized crime syndicate operating in the land.Stand up to them and do not back down.THey must be hauled into court,prosecuted, found guilty and sent to prison like any other criminal.....They simply laugh at the government when they are civily punished....until they are sent to prison they will not stop.They are making a laughing stock of the government and the system.America is been laughed at by the rest of the world.
There is a law against fraud when submitting papers to the courts. The banks, including Wells Fargo, violated this over and over. Why are these same police not arresting this CFO? They are essentially bought and paid for by the wealthy.
California and Wells fargo. Good reason to stay away.
True.
I side with Wells Fargo. Throw her out!! You cannot stay if you cannot pay!!
I suggest you visit the Wizard of Oz and get yourself a heart, Tomkat. Or are you one of the one per-centers?
TOMKAT372: read again...She has the money...but very late...Demand an audit of the Federal Reserve... Sounds like you work for Wells-Fargo or OBAMANATION and his ILLEGAL CZARS... God Bless America... AGAIN... without OBAMANATION...
Does she have all the money for the missed payments? WF would be dumb to accept partial payments because then they would have to begin the foreclosure process all over again.
ive been looking at buying a home at the sheriffs sale,but the banks buy them all.usually its at a loss for what was owed.then they list them thru realtors for sale and take another loss.the banks make more on flipping the loans again and they get 2 big tax credits as a added bonus.
just look and see who is buying all the homes at the sheriffs sales in your area.you probably find out the same as i did.
Tomkat, the problem with your views is, they will instantly change if you should fall upon difficult times and need assistance to maintain your home. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."