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<DIV><FONT size=2>Well, duh!</FONT></DIV><FONT size=2>
<DIV><BR>Wayne A. Fox<BR>1009 Karen Lane<BR>PO Box 9421<BR>Moscow, ID
83843</DIV>
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<DIV><A href="mailto:waf@moscow.com">waf@moscow.com</A><BR>208 882-7975</DIV>
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<H1>Feds probing possible criminal violations in home foreclosure crisis</H1>
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<DIV class=cnnbyline>By <B>Terry Frieden</B>, CNN Justice Department
Producer</DIV>
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<DIV><B>STORY HIGHLIGHTS</B></DIV>
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<LI>A federal task force is investigating potential fraud in the foreclosure
crisis</LI>
<LI>The task force will meet Wednesday, and a White House briefing is likely
afterwards</LI></UL></DIV></DIV>
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<DIV><B>RELATED TOPICS</B></DIV>
<UL class=cnn_bulletbin>
<LI><A href="http://topics.cnn.com/topics/Foreclosures"
target=_blank>Foreclosures</A></LI>
<LI><A href="http://topics.cnn.com/topics/Federal_Housing_Administration"
target=_blank>Federal Housing Administration</A></LI></UL></DIV></DIV>
<P><B>Washington (CNN)</B> -- Federal law enforcement officials said Tuesday the
probe of potential fraud by financial firms in the foreclosure crisis includes
an investigation into possible criminal violations of federal laws.</P>
<P>Two sources familiar with the federal Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force
indicated the multi-agency effort by investigators in the Justice, Treasury and
Housing departments would determine whether prosecutors would ultimately pursue
criminal or civil penalties -- or both.</P>
<P>The task force has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday at the Department of
Housing and Urban Development. Upon conclusion, a briefing is likely at the
White House, officials said.</P>
<P>"The administration's Federal Housing Administration and Financial Fraud
Enforcement Task Force have undertaken their own regulatory and enforcement
investigation into the foreclosure process," White House Press Secretary Robert
Gibbs confirmed Tuesday. "We remain committed to holding accountable any bank
that has violated the law," he said.</P>
<P class=cnninline>Growing concern over flawed paperwork by banks and other
lenders in foreclosure proceedings has prompted growing anger and confusion in
the housing market. Some banks temporarily froze foreclosures, but are now
indicating plans to resume seizing homes after reviewing new
paperwork.</P><BR></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>