Defendants' Motion To Cancel Hearing Set For November 28, 2016
Defendants' Motion To Cancel Hearing Set For November 28, 2016
Defendants' Motion To Cancel Hearing Set For November 28, 2016
2.
This Courts Order Scheduling Case Management Conference entered on August 30,
On information and belief, Any and all requirements of the Order Scheduling Case
Management Conference entered on August 30, 2016 shall remain means the following:
ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that pursuant to Rule 1.200(a) Florida Rules of Civil
Procedure, the undersigned has scheduled a Case Management Conference in the entitled
cause for October 7, 2016 at 1:30 p.m., Marion County Judicial Center, 110 N.W. 1st
Avenue, Third Floor, Courtroom 3B, Ocala, FL 34475. Forty-five (45) minutes reserved.
A. Counsel or parties pro se shall be prepared to discuss with this Court all matters
regarding this case, including but not limited to the following:
1. Schedule or reschedule the service of motions, pleadings, and other papers;
2. Set or reset the time of hearings and trials; coordinate the progress of the
action; limit schedule, order or expedite discovery; schedule motions in limine;
3. Scheduling of other conferences or determine other matters which may aid in
the disposition of this action;
4. Status of settlement negotiations
B. Counsel or pro se party will file with the Clerk of Court, serve opposing party, and
deliver a copy to the undersigned Judge's Chambers not less than 48 hours before the
above Case Management Conference, a written statement which shall contain the
following:
1. A statement of the facts that they believe supports their claim (if Petitioner or
Plaintiff) or a statement of the facts that support the denial of the Petitioner or
Plaintiff's claims (if Respondent or Defendant);
2. Facts that they believe to be undisputed;
3. Issues of Law that should be decided by the Court;
4. A proposed discovery schedule, anticipated trial date, and anticipated time
required for trial.
C. Both parties are directed to appear. Failure to appear at this conference or comply with
the terms of this order may result in the striking of pleadings, or parts thereof; staying
further proceedings until compliance with this order; dismissing of the action; entry of
final judgment by default; contempt proceedings; or other appropriate sanctions.
4.
MANAGEMENT (Exhibit 1), under Fla. R. Civ. Pro 1.090(a) Computation of Time, and Fla. R.
Jud. Admin. 2.514, Computing and Extending Time, subpart (a)(2)(C)(5) with Any and all
requirements of the Order Scheduling Case Management Conference entered on August 30,
2016 (Exhibit 2) and part B of the Order entered on August 30, 2016: Counsel or pro se
party will file with the Clerk of Court, serve opposing party, and deliver a copy to the
undersigned Judge's Chambers not less than 48 hours before the above Case Management
Conference, a written statement which shall contain the following: (underline added)
B. Counsel or pro se party will file with the Clerk of Court, serve opposing party,
and deliver a copy to the undersigned Judge's Chambers not less than 48 hours
before the above Case Management Conference, a written statement which shall
contain the following:
1. A statement of the facts that they believe supports their claim (if
Petitioner or Plaintiff) or a statement of the facts that support the denial of
the Petitioner or Plaintiff's claims (if Respondent or Defendant);
2. Facts that they believe to be undisputed;
3. Issues of Law that should be decided by the Court;
4. A proposed discovery schedule, anticipated trial date, and anticipated
time required for trial.
5.
48 hours before the Case Management Conference is 3:30 PM Friday, November 25,
2016, a legal holiday as defined by Rule 2.514(6)(A) the Friday after Thanksgiving Day.
6.
The next day under rule 2.514(a)(2)(C)(5) is 3:30 PM Monday November 28, 2016, the
date and time of the hearing, and not 48 hours before the hearing.
7.
Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.514 (Exhibit 4), states in relevant part,
RULE 2.514. COMPUTING AND EXTENDING TIME
(a) Computing Time. The following rules apply in computing time periods specified in
any rule of procedure, local rule, court order, or statute that does not specify a method of
computing time.
The Court has Ordered compliance of the parties at least 48 hours before the Case
Management Conference, which is 3:30 PM Friday, November 25, 2016, a legal holiday (Rule
2.514(6)(A)/Fla. Stat. 110.117) the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. The next day for compliance
under the Courts Order(s) [Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2] under rule 2.514(a)(2)(C)(5) is 3:30 PM
Monday November 28, 2016, the date and time of the hearing, and not 48 hours before the
hearing. Therefore, I move to cancel the hearing 3:30 PM Monday, November 28, 2016.
10.
I move to reschedule the Case Management not sooner than 90 days from today, on or
Based on Defendants First Amended Answer, the Court should dismiss this case with prejudice.
Jurisdiction
12.
On information and belief, the Court lacks jurisdiction over this matter because, inter
alia, my complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, CFPB Complaint No.
120914-000082, as not been reviewed in its entirety.
13.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is an agency of the United States
government responsible for consumer protection in the financial sector. The CFPB's creation was
authorized by the DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, see,
12 U.S. Code Chapter 53 - WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/12/chapter-53
12 U.S. Code Subchapter V - BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/12/chapter-53/subchapter-V
14.
Before this foreclosure commenced, I made a complaint to HUD, the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development, as provided in the Reverse Mortgage Handbook 7610.01,
Section 4-191. HUD did not rule on my complaint, but instead sent it to the CFPB, where it was
ultimately compromised by CFPB attorney Gregory Evans, according to FOIA documents
received. Evans told CFPB investigators that they could not speak with me due to privacy rules.
Later I learned deceased persons do not have privacy. I made a complaint about Evans to the
Office of Inspector General Hotline (OIG Hotline) of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (Board) which has oversight of CFPB employees.
15.
I filed a copy of my HUD complaint in this Court on February 4, 2013 as part of my Motion To
Dismiss Verified Complaint To Foreclose Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, see Defendants
Composite B, 240 pages, to Defendants Motion To Dismiss.
6
I responded by email to the OIG Hotline (Exhibit 9) on September 23, 2016 at 1:40 AM:
OIGHotline
RE: Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (Board)
Dear OIGHotline,
Thank you for your email. This is to acknowledge your request:
*Please provide any evidence you have that supports your complaint of the
CFPB working with Bank of America to yield an unfavorable resolution to
your complaint. Once submitted, we will review and evaluate to determine if
the CFPB acted in an improper manner or deviated from its normal process.*
I plan a response within two-three weeks, with my affidavits and supporting documents. I
appreciate your patience.
In the meantime, attached is my PDF letter and attachments to the OIGHotline that I
emailed February 18, 2016 to [email protected]. The PDF letter is also posted on my
Scribd at https://www.scribd.com/document/299848838/OIGHotline-Re-CFPB-to-Boardof-Governors-of-the-Federal-Reserve-System-Feb-18-2016
I plan to file the foregoing with the court, RMS v Gillespie, 2013-CA-00115, Marion
County Florida.
Sincerely,
Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, Florida 34481
Tel. 352-854-7807
Email: [email protected]
17.
My 74 page response emailed to the OIG Hotline February 18, 2016 appears as a separate
And my response: No. The OCC does not regulate Bank of America in any meaningful
way. Bank of America regulates the government of the United States.
Bank of America regulates the government of the United States through Regulatory
Capture, see attached the Wikipedia article that refers to the Office of the Comptroller of
the Currency (OCC)
"The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has strongly opposed the efforts
of the 50 state attorneys general, who have banded together to penalize banks and reform
the mortgage modification process, following the subprime mortgage crisis and the
financial crisis of 2008. This example was cited in The New York Times as evidence that
the OCC is "a captive of the banks it is supposed to regulate"" Also attached the New
York Times story by Joe Nocera, "An advocate who scares Republicans".
Regarding my comment about the Fed as a private concern, see attached the education
piece by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
In conclusion, CFPB attorney Greg Evans, and two nonlawyer CFPB employees, Andrew
Fey and K. Byron, conspired with Bank of America and corrupted CFPB Complaint No.
120914-000082, with a concocted a CFPB closing letter March 19, 2013 that wrongly
denied my rights, which is under your jurisdiction. When can I expect an investigation?
Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, Florida 34481
18.
November 28, 2016 at 3:30 PM because it is impossible for me to comply with the Courts
ORDER RESCHEDULING CASE MANAGEMENT under the Fla. R. Jud. Admin.
2.514(a)(2)(C)(5), and if rescheduled, 90 days from today on February 27, 2017.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED November 22, 2016.
Gregory C. Harrell
General Counsel to David R. Ellspermann,
Marion County Clerk of Court & Comptroller
P.O. Box 1030
Ocala, Florida 34478-1030
Email: [email protected]
Neil J. Gillespie and Mark Gillespie as Co-Trustees of the Gillespie Family Living Trust
Agreement dated February 10, 1997; Terminated Trust, February 2, 2015
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, FL 34481
Email: [email protected]
Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, FL 34481
Email: [email protected]
Mark Gillespie
7504 Summer Meadows Drive
Ft. Worth, TX 76123
Email: [email protected]
Termination of the Gillespie Family Living Trust Agreement Dated February 10, 1997
STATE OF FLORIDA
COUNTY OF MARION
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111
)
) SS.:
)
AFFIDAVIT
BEFORE ME, this day personally appeared NEIL J. GILLESPIE, who upon being duly
sworn deposed upon oath as follows:
I.
My name is Neil J. Gillespie. I am over eighteen years of age. This affidavit is given on
I am sole Trustee of the Gillespie Family Living Trust Agreement Dated February 10,
oeZ=::)..
..
"
My Florida residential homestead property is the sole asset of the Trust, property address
~:.
8092 SW 115th Loop, Ocala, Florida 34481, Marion County, Florida, (the "property") where I
have lived in the property continuously and uninterruptedly since February 9, 2005, Tax ID No.
7013-007-00 I, legal description:
Lot(s) ], Block G, OAK RUN WOODSIDE TRACT, according to the Plat thereof as
recorded in Plat Book 2 at Page(s) 106 through I ]2, inclusive of the Public Records of
Marion County, Florida.
4.
Pursuant to my authority as Trustee of the Trust, and acting in that capacity, I transferred
the remaining trust property to the beneficiary, myself, on January 14, 2015.
5.
Pursuant to my authority as Trustee of the Trust, and acting in that capacity, I hereby
terminate the Trust as provided by Fla. Stat. 736.0414, and Article V, the Trust. The total fair
market value of the assets of the Trust is zero. The Trust served its intended purpose of
transferring the property to the beneficiary without going through probate.
6.
Pursuant to Fla. Stat. 736.0414 Modification or tenn ination of uneconomic trust. (1)
After notice to the qualified beneficiaries, the trustee of a trust consisting of trust property
Book6161/Page1844
CFN#2015009748
co
Page 1 of 2
having a total value less than $50,000 may terminate the trust if the trustee concludes that the
value of the trust. property is insufficient to justify the cost of administration.
FURTHER AFFIANT SA YETH NOT,
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me, this 2nd day of February, 2015,
1=l--'bL
(SEAL)
Angelica Cruz
NOTAR
My Commission EE067986
Expires 02127/2015
UBLIC
~(?JI(s2.
Lr0L
Print Na of Notary PublIc
Book6161/Page1845
CFN#2015009748
Page 2 of 2
Plaintiff,
vs.
NEIL J. GILLESPIE AND MARK GILLESPIE
AS CO-TRUSTEES OF THE GILLESPIE
FAMILY LIVING TRUST AGREEMENT
DATED FEBRUARY 10, 1997, ET AL.
Defendants.
________________________________________/
APPENDIX OF EXHIBITS
DEFENDANTS MOTION TO CANCEL HEARING SET FOR NOVEMBER 28, 2016
Exhibit 1
Exhibit 2
Exhibit 3
Exhibit 4
Exhibit 5
Exhibit 6
Exhibit 7
Exhibit 8
Exhibit 9
RULE 1.090.
TIME
3
February 23, 2016
Page 29
Telephone Number
Florida Bar Number
E-mail Address
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing motion
was served by mail to PHV Admissions, The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson
Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2333 accompanied by payment of the $250.00
filing fee made payable to The Florida Bar, or notice that the movant has requested
a judicial waiver of said fee; and by (e-mail) (delivery) (mail) (fax) to (name of
attorney or party if not represented)
Movant
B. PRACTICE AND LITIGATION PROCEDURES
RULE 2.514.
September 8, 2016
(B)
midnight; and
scheduled to close.
(5) Next Day Defined. The next day is determined by
continuing to count forward when the period is measured after an event and
backward when measured before an event.
September 8, 2016
(6)
(A) the day set aside by section 110.117, Florida Statutes, for
observing New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.s Birthday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday after
Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day, and
(B) any day observed as a holiday by the clerks office or as
designated by the chief judge.
(b) Additional Time after Service by Mail or E-mail. When a party
may or must act within a specified time after service and service is made by mail
or e-mail, 5 days are added after the period that would otherwise expire under
subdivision (a).
RULE 2.515.
September 8, 2016
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0100-0199/0110/Sections/0110.117.html
Select Year:
Chapter 110
STATE EMPLOYMENT
110.117
Paid holidays.
(1) The following holidays shall be paid holidays observed by all state branches and agencies:
(a) New Years Day.
(b) Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., third Monday in January.
(c) Memorial Day.
(d) Independence Day.
(e) Labor Day.
(f) Veterans Day, November 11.
(g) Thanksgiving Day.
(h) Friday after Thanksgiving.
(i) Christmas Day.
(j) If any of these holidays falls on Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be observed as a holiday. If any of
these holidays falls on Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed as a holiday.
(2) The Governor may declare, when appropriate, a state day of mourning in observance of the death of a
person in recognition of service rendered to the state or nation.
(3) Each full-time employee is entitled to one personal holiday each year. Each part-time employee is
entitled to a personal holiday each year which shall be calculated proportionately to the personal holiday
allowed to a full-time employee. Such personal holiday shall be credited to eligible employees on July 1 of
each year to be taken prior to June 30 of the following year. Members of the teaching and research faculty of
the State University System and administrative and professional positions exempted under s. 110.205(2)(d) are
not eligible for this benefit.
History.s. 20, ch. 79-190; s. 1, ch. 80-331; s. 1, ch. 88-63; s. 16, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 8, ch. 94-113; s. 5, ch. 96-399.
https://www.marioncountyclerk.org/index.cfm?Pg=officehours
OFFICE HOURS
The Marion County Clerk's Office is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The holiday schedule is as follows:
Holiday
Date
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veterans' Day
Thanksgiving Day
http://www.circuit5.org/c5/news-events/information/court-holidays/
As set out in the State Courts Personnel Regulation 4.07, the following are designated holidays for the
Judges, Judicial Assistants and Court Administration State employees in the Fifth Judicial Circuit for the
calendar year 2016:
Friday
January 1, 2016
Monday
Friday
Monday
Monday
Monday
Monday
Wednesday
Friday
Thursday
Friday
Friday
Monday
In accordance with 4.07(2), Chief Judge Don F. Briggs has designated Friday, December 23, 2016 as his one
discretionary holiday.
In accordance with 4.07(3), the Chief Judge has also designated Good Friday, Rosh Hashanah and Yom
Kippur as legal holidays.
Each court employee occupying an established position with a minimum of six months of service with
state government is authorized one personal leave day each fiscal year.
http://www.circuit5.org/c5/news-events/information/court-holidays/
As set out in the State Courts Personnel Regulation 4.07, the following are designated holidays for the
Judges, Judicial Assistants and Court Administration State employees in the Fifth Judicial Circuit for the
calendar year 2017:
Monday
January 2, 2017
Monday
Friday
Monday
Monday
Tuesday
Monday
Thursday
Friday
Thursday
Friday
Monday
In accordance with 4.07(2), Chief Judge Don F. Briggs has designated Monday, July 3, 2017 as his one
discretionary holiday.
In accordance with 4.07(3), the Chief Judge has also designated Good Friday, Rosh Hashanah as legal
holidays. (Yom Kippur falls on a Saturday for the year 2017)
Each court employee occupying an established position with a minimum of six months of service with
state government is authorized one personal leave day each fiscal year.
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Page 1 of 5
Neil Gillespie
From:
To:
Sent:
Subject:
"OIGHotline" <[email protected]>
"Neil Gillespie" <[email protected]>
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 12:06 PM
RE: Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(Board)
Mr. Gillespie:
Thank you for contacting the OIG Hotline and we appreciate your patience as we reviewed your complaint in its
entirety.
In the email to our office, dated February 15, 2016 (below), you stated, The Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau (CFPB) provided evidence through the attached responses to my 2 FOIA/PA that CFPB attorney
Greg Evans, and two nonlawyer CFPB employees, Andrew Fey and K. Byron, conspired with Bank of
America and corrupted CFPB Complaint No. 120914-000082, with a concocted CFPB closing letter
[.]
*Please provide any evidence you have that supports your complaint of the CFPB working with
Bank of America to yield an unfavorable resolution to your complaint. Once submitted, we will
review and evaluate to determine if the CFPB acted in an improper manner or deviated from its
normal process.*
Please keep in mind, that the OIG cannot provide information regarding what action has been taken on any
allegation reported to our office. However, if we need any more supporting evidence, our office will contact you
directly.
Lastly, as stated in our previous email to you, the Federal Reserve Board has no jurisdictional authority over Bank
of America, N.A., therefore, we are not the appropriate entity to handle your complaint against the bank. You may
wish to pursue a follow-up with the OCC or seek counsel. Please note that our office is unable to investigate or
intervene in individual consumer complaints against financial institutions and the OIG does not dispense legal
advice to private citizens, nor does it act as a legal representative for private citizens.
We look forward to your correspondence regarding this complaint.
Thank you,
OIG Hotline
To: The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(Board):
8
9/22/2016
Page 2 of 5
This is a follow-up to my email response to your February 5, 2016 email, see below.
You wrote, "Our office investigates fraud, waste, and abuse of Board and CFPB programs and
operations".
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provided evidence through the attached responses to
my 2 FOIA/PA that CFPB attorney Greg Evans, and two nonlawyer CFPB employees, Andrew Fey and
K. Byron, conspired with Bank of America and corrupted CFPB Complaint No. 120914-000082, with a
concocted CFPB closing letter March 19, 2013, in part,
"Our records indicate that we do not have proper authorization to disclose any information
to you regarding Ms. Penelope M. Gillespies account. Bank of America values and
guards our customers privacy and financial information and, therefore, does not provide
customer-specific information to unauthorized third parties."
The Bank of America employees were Jason Powell, Customer Advocate, Office of the CEO and
President, and Chris Pickle, Customer Advocate, Office of the CEO and President.
Regarding claims of privacy for the decedent by CFPB attorney Greg Evans and Bank of America:
Privacy laws do not protect the privacy of dead people. Dead people do not have privacy rights. Privacy
rights are personal and die with the individual. Nestor v. Posner-Gerstenhaber, 857 So. 2d 953 (Fla. Dist.
Ct. App. 3d Dist. 2003), review denied, 869 So. 2d 540 (Fla. 2004). [E]even where a private
confidentiality agreement is otherwise proper, it will not be enforced where its effect becomes
obstructive of the rights of non-parties. See, e.g., Nestor v. Posner-Gerstenhaber, 857 So. 2d 953, 955
(Fla. 3rd DCA 2003); Scott v. Nelson, 697 So. 2d 1300, 1301 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997). Quoted by U.S.
Judge John E. Steele in Tardif, Trustee (Jason Yerk) v. PETA, USDC, SD Fla. Fort Myers Div. Case
No. 2:09-cv-537-FtM-29SPC, at the Pacer link, Case 2:09-cv-00537-JES-SPC Document 179 Filed
11/04/11 Page 14 of 31 PageID 6050
Regarding your statment: "Lastly, the Board does not regulate Bank of America; it is regulated by the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC),"
And my response: No. The OCC does not regulate Bank of America in any meaningful way. Bank of
America regulates the government of the United States.
Bank of America regulates the government of the United States through Regulatory Capture, see
attached the Wikipedia article that refers to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
"The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has strongly opposed the efforts of the 50 state
attorneys general, who have banded together to penalize banks and reform the mortgage modification
process, following the subprime mortgage crisis and the financial crisis of 2008. This example was cited
in The New York Times as evidence that the OCC is "a captive of the banks it is supposed to regulate""
Also attached the New York Times story by Joe Nocera, "An advocate who scares Republicans".
Regarding my comment about the Fed as a private concern, see attached the education piece by the
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
In conclusion, CFPB attorney Greg Evans, and two nonlawyer CFPB employees, Andrew Fey and K.
Byron, conspired with Bank of America and corrupted CFPB Complaint No. 120914-000082, with a
concocted a CFPB closing letter March 19, 2013 that wrongly denied my rights, which is under your
9/22/2016
Page 3 of 5
Thank you for your email. I respectfully disagree as set forth below.
RE: "We hope this information is helpful to you."
RE: "Please note, the OIG does not dispense legal advice to private citizens, nor does it act as a legal
representative for private citizens."
Without diligent, competent, and conflict-free legal counsel, I am unable to know (legally) if the
information provided is helpful. I am unable to obtain counsel. On its face, the OIG simply made
referrals to other government agencies.
RE: "Lastly, the Board does not regulate Bank of America; it is regulated by the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency (OCC),"
No. The OCC does not regulate Bank of America in any meaningful way. Bank of America regulates the
government of the United States. In a capitalist system, the market should regulate Bank of America. In
the fall of 2008 the market rejected Bank of America, and a number of other bad banks and bad financial
institutions. The market worked. Unfortunately of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (Board) usurped the market, along with co-conspirators, and wrongly saved, by taxpayer bailout,
Bank of America from the regulating capitalist market. The Board became a Communist politburo to
pick winners (banks and financial institutions) and losers (The People) in its vision of a planned
economy. The Board has doomed The People of the United States through capitulation to banks and
financial institutions and resulting treasonous interference with the capitalist economic system. That is
how Bank of America regulates the government of the United States, and the Board, which is a private
concern. Has the Board and the Federal Reserve Bank/System agreed to an independent audit?
Neil J. Gillespie
----- Original Message ----From: OIGHotline
To: 'Neil Gillespie'
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2016 12:56 PM
Subject: RE: Letter to Stefanie Isser Goldblatt, CFPB Senior Litigation Counsel Dec-23-2015 re
AMAZON.COM, Synchrony Bank, FOCUS Camera
Mr. Gillespie:
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
9/22/2016
Page 4 of 5
System (Board) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has received your
December 23, and 27, 2015, e-mails regarding consumer issues with Amazon and its
vendors and Bank of America . Our office investigates fraud, waste, and abuse of Board and
CFPB programs and operations. Your matter does not appear to fall under the purview of our
office; additionally, we are unable to investigate or intervene in individual consumer matters
against financial institutions. While it does not appear the OIG can assist you with this
matter, we have researched various points of contact to better assist you. Please note, the
OIG does not dispense legal advice to private citizens, nor does it act as a legal
representative for private citizens.
If you have not done so already, you may wish to contact the CFPB's Ombudsman's Office;
an independent, impartial, and confidential resource to help resolve process issues arising
from CFPB activities. They may be reached at:
If you would like to report fraud, waste, or abuse related to the programs or operations of
the Board or CFPB, you may contact us via mail, email, fax, or phone at the following:
Lastly, the Board does not regulate Bank of America; it is regulated by the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which is a branch of the Department of the Treasury.
Individuals can obtain information about, or file a formal complaint against a national bank,
such as Bank of America, by contacting the OCC Customer Assistance Unit. They may be
reached at the following:
9/22/2016
Page 5 of 5
OIG Hotline
9/22/2016
Page 1 of 6
Neil Gillespie
From:
To:
Cc:
Sent:
Subject:
OIGHotline
RE: Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(Board)
Dear OIGHotline,
Thank you for your email. This is to acknowledge your request:
*Please provide any evidence you have that supports your complaint of the CFPB working with
Bank of America to yield an unfavorable resolution to your complaint. Once submitted, we will
review and evaluate to determine if the CFPB acted in an improper manner or deviated from its
normal process.*
I plan a response within two-three weeks, with my affidavits and supporting documents. I appreciate
your patience.
In the meantime, attached is my PDF letter and attachments to the OIGHotline that I emailed February
18, 2016 to [email protected]. The PDF letter is also posted on my Scribd at
https://www.scribd.com/document/299848838/OIGHotline-Re-CFPB-to-Board-of-Governors-of-theFederal-Reserve-System-Feb-18-2016
I plan to file the foregoing with the court, RMS v Gillespie, 2013-CA-00115, Marion County Florida.
Sincerely,
Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, Florida 34481
Tel. 352-854-7807
Email: [email protected]
----- Original Message ----From: OIGHotline
To: Neil Gillespie
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2016 12:06 PM
Subject: RE: Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(Board)
Mr. Gillespie:
Thank you for contacting the OIG Hotline and we appreciate your patience as we reviewed your complaint in its
entirety.
9
11/22/2016
Page 2 of 6
In the email to our office, dated February 15, 2016 (below), you stated, The Consumer Financial Protection
Bureau (CFPB) provided evidence through the attached responses to my 2 FOIA/PA that CFPB
attorney Greg Evans, and two nonlawyer CFPB employees, Andrew Fey and K. Byron, conspired
with Bank of America and corrupted CFPB Complaint No. 120914-000082, with a concocted
CFPB closing letter[.]
*Please provide any evidence you have that supports your complaint of the CFPB working with
Bank of America to yield an unfavorable resolution to your complaint. Once submitted, we will
review and evaluate to determine if the CFPB acted in an improper manner or deviated from its
normal process.*
Please keep in mind, that the OIG cannot provide information regarding what action has been taken on any
allegation reported to our office. However, if we need any more supporting evidence, our office will contact you
directly.
Lastly, as stated in our previous email to you, the Federal Reserve Board has no jurisdictional authority over
Bank of America, N.A., therefore, we are not the appropriate entity to handle your complaint against the bank.
You may wish to pursue a follow-up with the OCC or seek counsel. Please note that our office is unable to
investigate or intervene in individual consumer complaints against financial institutions and the OIG does not
dispense legal advice to private citizens, nor does it act as a legal representative for private citizens.
We look forward to your correspondence regarding this complaint.
Thank you,
OIG Hotline
To: The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(Board):
This is a follow-up to my email response to your February 5, 2016 email, see below.
You wrote, "Our office investigates fraud, waste, and abuse of Board and CFPB programs and
operations".
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provided evidence through the attached responses
to my 2 FOIA/PA that CFPB attorney Greg Evans, and two nonlawyer CFPB employees, Andrew Fey
and K. Byron, conspired with Bank of America and corrupted CFPB Complaint No. 120914-000082,
with a concocted CFPB closing letter March 19, 2013, in part,
"Our records indicate that we do not have proper authorization to disclose any information
11/22/2016
Page 3 of 6
to you regarding Ms. Penelope M. Gillespies account. Bank of America values and
guards our customers privacy and financial information and, therefore, does not provide
customer-specific information to unauthorized third parties."
The Bank of America employees were Jason Powell, Customer Advocate, Office of the CEO and
President, and Chris Pickle, Customer Advocate, Office of the CEO and President.
Regarding claims of privacy for the decedent by CFPB attorney Greg Evans and Bank of America:
Privacy laws do not protect the privacy of dead people. Dead people do not have privacy rights.
Privacy rights are personal and die with the individual. Nestor v. Posner-Gerstenhaber, 857 So. 2d 953
(Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 3d Dist. 2003), review denied, 869 So. 2d 540 (Fla. 2004). [E]even where a private
confidentiality agreement is otherwise proper, it will not be enforced where its effect becomes
obstructive of the rights of non-parties. See, e.g., Nestor v. Posner-Gerstenhaber, 857 So. 2d 953, 955
(Fla. 3rd DCA 2003); Scott v. Nelson, 697 So. 2d 1300, 1301 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997). Quoted by U.S.
Judge John E. Steele in Tardif, Trustee (Jason Yerk) v. PETA, USDC, SD Fla. Fort Myers Div. Case
No. 2:09-cv-537-FtM-29SPC, at the Pacer link, Case 2:09-cv-00537-JES-SPC Document 179 Filed
11/04/11 Page 14 of 31 PageID 6050
Regarding your statment: "Lastly, the Board does not regulate Bank of America; it is regulated by the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC),"
And my response: No. The OCC does not regulate Bank of America in any meaningful way. Bank of
America regulates the government of the United States.
Bank of America regulates the government of the United States through Regulatory Capture, see
attached the Wikipedia article that refers to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
"The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has strongly opposed the efforts of the 50 state
attorneys general, who have banded together to penalize banks and reform the mortgage modification
process, following the subprime mortgage crisis and the financial crisis of 2008. This example was
cited in The New York Times as evidence that the OCC is "a captive of the banks it is supposed to
regulate"" Also attached the New York Times story by Joe Nocera, "An advocate who scares
Republicans".
Regarding my comment about the Fed as a private concern, see attached the education piece by the
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
In conclusion, CFPB attorney Greg Evans, and two nonlawyer CFPB employees, Andrew Fey and K.
Byron, conspired with Bank of America and corrupted CFPB Complaint No. 120914-000082, with a
concocted a CFPB closing letter March 19, 2013 that wrongly denied my rights, which is under your
jurisdiction. When can I expect an investigation?
Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, Florida 34481
----- Original Message ----From: Neil Gillespie
To: OIGHotline
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2016 6:51 AM
Subject: Re: Letter to Stefanie Isser Goldblatt, CFPB Senior Litigation Counsel Dec-23-2015 re
11/22/2016
Page 4 of 6
Thank you for your email. I respectfully disagree as set forth below.
RE: "We hope this information is helpful to you."
RE: "Please note, the OIG does not dispense legal advice to private citizens, nor does it act as a legal
representative for private citizens."
Without diligent, competent, and conflict-free legal counsel, I am unable to know (legally) if the
information provided is helpful. I am unable to obtain counsel. On its face, the OIG simply made
referrals to other government agencies.
RE: "Lastly, the Board does not regulate Bank of America; it is regulated by the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency (OCC),"
No. The OCC does not regulate Bank of America in any meaningful way. Bank of America regulates
the government of the United States. In a capitalist system, the market should regulate Bank of
America. In the fall of 2008 the market rejected Bank of America, and a number of other bad banks
and bad financial institutions. The market worked. Unfortunately of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (Board) usurped the market, along with co-conspirators, and wrongly saved,
by taxpayer bailout, Bank of America from the regulating capitalist market. The Board became a
Communist politburo to pick winners (banks and financial institutions) and losers (The People) in its
vision of a planned economy. The Board has doomed The People of the United States through
capitulation to banks and financial institutions and resulting treasonous interference with the capitalist
economic system. That is how Bank of America regulates the government of the United States, and the
Board, which is a private concern. Has the Board and the Federal Reserve Bank/System agreed to an
independent audit?
Neil J. Gillespie
----- Original Message ----From: OIGHotline
To: 'Neil Gillespie'
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2016 12:56 PM
Subject: RE: Letter to Stefanie Isser Goldblatt, CFPB Senior Litigation Counsel Dec-23-2015 re
AMAZON.COM, Synchrony Bank, FOCUS Camera
Mr. Gillespie:
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (Board) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has received your
December 23, and 27, 2015, e-mails regarding consumer issues with Amazon and its
vendors and Bank of America . Our office investigates fraud, waste, and abuse of Board
and CFPB programs and operations. Your matter does not appear to fall under the purview
of our office; additionally, we are unable to investigate or intervene in individual consumer
matters against financial institutions. While it does not appear the OIG can assist you with
this matter, we have researched various points of contact to better assist you. Please note,
11/22/2016
Page 5 of 6
the OIG does not dispense legal advice to private citizens, nor does it act as a legal
representative for private citizens.
If you have not done so already, you may wish to contact the CFPB's Ombudsman's Office;
an independent, impartial, and confidential resource to help resolve process issues arising
from CFPB activities. They may be reached at:
If you would like to report fraud, waste, or abuse related to the programs or operations of
the Board or CFPB, you may contact us via mail, email, fax, or phone at the following:
Lastly, the Board does not regulate Bank of America; it is regulated by the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which is a branch of the Department of the Treasury.
Individuals can obtain information about, or file a formal complaint against a national
bank, such as Bank of America, by contacting the OCC Customer Assistance Unit. They
may be reached at the following:
11/22/2016
Page 6 of 6
OIG Hotline
11/22/2016
Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, Florida 34481
Tel. 352-854-7807
Email: [email protected]
Attachments
Faculty Essay
BY PETER CONTI-BROWN
S ECOND .
MARK BENDER
FOU RT H .
Alumni Essay
BY ANTHONY W. ORLANDO
MIKE AUSTIN
It is time that
we recognize
inequality for
the negative
externality that
it is, slowing
our productivity
growth, roiling
our markets.
day will come when no one will be left to pay the prots our
shareholders demand. Business schools should teach courses
about this issue, and business leaders should address it in their
boardrooms. It is not merely a political issue. It is very clearly
the business of Business.
Joseph Kennedy thought so when he went to work for
President Roosevelt. As one of the nations most notorious
stock manipulators, Kennedy might have been the last person
wed expect to join Roosevelts crew, but when Roosevelt
named Kennedy as the rst chairman of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, he saw it as an opportunity to save the
market from itself.
We of the SEC do not regard ourselves as coroners sitting
on the corpse of nancial enterprise, said Kennedy in a radio
address to the nation. On the contrary, we think of ourselves
as the means of bringing new life into the body of the security
business.
As Wharton graduates, let us think of ourselves in the same
manner, and act accordingly.
Anthony W. Orlando W09 received his bachelors degree from
Wharton and his masters in economic history from the London
School of Economics. He is a lecturer in the College of Business
and Economics at California State University, Los Angeles, and
a public policy research fellow at the University of Southern
California. His latest book Letter to the One Percent is available
at www.LetterToTheOnePercent.com.
Page 1 of 5
Neil Gillespie
From:
To:
Cc:
Sent:
Attach:
Subject:
To: The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
(Board):
This is a follow-up to my email response to your February 5, 2016 email, see below.
You wrote, "Our office investigates fraud, waste, and abuse of Board and CFPB programs and
operations".
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provided evidence through the attached responses to
my 2 FOIA/PA that CFPB attorney Greg Evans, and two nonlawyer CFPB employees, Andrew Fey and
K. Byron, conspired with Bank of America and corrupted CFPB Complaint No. 120914-000082, with a
concocted CFPB closing letter March 19, 2013, in part,
"Our records indicate that we do not have proper authorization to disclose any information
to you regarding Ms. Penelope M. Gillespies account. Bank of America values and
guards our customers privacy and financial information and, therefore, does not provide
customer-specific information to unauthorized third parties."
The Bank of America employees were Jason Powell, Customer Advocate, Office of the CEO and
President, and Chris Pickle, Customer Advocate, Office of the CEO and President.
Regarding claims of privacy for the decedent by CFPB attorney Greg Evans and Bank of America:
Privacy laws do not protect the privacy of dead people. Dead people do not have privacy rights. Privacy
rights are personal and die with the individual. Nestor v. Posner-Gerstenhaber, 857 So. 2d 953 (Fla. Dist.
Ct. App. 3d Dist. 2003), review denied, 869 So. 2d 540 (Fla. 2004). [E]even where a private
confidentiality agreement is otherwise proper, it will not be enforced where its effect becomes
obstructive of the rights of non-parties. See, e.g., Nestor v. Posner-Gerstenhaber, 857 So. 2d 953, 955
(Fla. 3rd DCA 2003); Scott v. Nelson, 697 So. 2d 1300, 1301 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997). Quoted by U.S.
Judge John E. Steele in Tardif, Trustee (Jason Yerk) v. PETA, USDC, SD Fla. Fort Myers Div. Case
No. 2:09-cv-537-FtM-29SPC, at the Pacer link, Case 2:09-cv-00537-JES-SPC Document 179 Filed
11/04/11 Page 14 of 31 PageID 6050
Regarding your statment: "Lastly, the Board does not regulate Bank of America; it is regulated by the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC),"
And my response: No. The OCC does not regulate Bank of America in any meaningful way. Bank of
America regulates the government of the United States.
Bank of America regulates the government of the United States through Regulatory Capture, see
attached the Wikipedia article that refers to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
2/15/2016
Page 2 of 5
"The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has strongly opposed the efforts of the 50 state
attorneys general, who have banded together to penalize banks and reform the mortgage modification
process, following the subprime mortgage crisis and the financial crisis of 2008. This example was cited
in The New York Times as evidence that the OCC is "a captive of the banks it is supposed to regulate""
Also attached the New York Times story by Joe Nocera, "An advocate who scares Republicans".
Regarding my comment about the Fed as a private concern, see attached the education piece by the
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
In conclusion, CFPB attorney Greg Evans, and two nonlawyer CFPB employees, Andrew Fey and K.
Byron, conspired with Bank of America and corrupted CFPB Complaint No. 120914-000082, with a
concocted a CFPB closing letter March 19, 2013 that wrongly denied my rights, which is under your
jurisdiction. When can I expect an investigation?
Neil J. Gillespie
8092 SW 115th Loop
Ocala, Florida 34481
----- Original Message ----From: Neil Gillespie
To: OIGHotline
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2016 6:51 AM
Subject: Re: Letter to Stefanie Isser Goldblatt, CFPB Senior Litigation Counsel Dec-23-2015 re AMAZON.COM,
Synchrony Bank, FOCUS Camera
Thank you for your email. I respectfully disagree as set forth below.
RE: "We hope this information is helpful to you."
RE: "Please note, the OIG does not dispense legal advice to private citizens, nor does it act as a legal
representative for private citizens."
Without diligent, competent, and conflict-free legal counsel, I am unable to know (legally) if the
information provided is helpful. I am unable to obtain counsel. On its face, the OIG simply made
referrals to other government agencies.
RE: "Lastly, the Board does not regulate Bank of America; it is regulated by the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency (OCC),"
No. The OCC does not regulate Bank of America in any meaningful way. Bank of America regulates the
government of the United States. In a capitalist system, the market should regulate Bank of America. In
the fall of 2008 the market rejected Bank of America, and a number of other bad banks and bad financial
institutions. The market worked. Unfortunately of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (Board) usurped the market, along with co-conspirators, and wrongly saved, by taxpayer bailout,
Bank of America from the regulating capitalist market. The Board became a Communist politburo to
pick winners (banks and financial institutions) and losers (The People) in its vision of a planned
economy. The Board has doomed The People of the United States through capitulation to banks and
financial institutions and resulting treasonous interference with the capitalist economic system. That is
how Bank of America regulates the government of the United States, and the Board, which is a private
concern. Has the Board and the Federal Reserve Bank/System agreed to an independent audit?
2/15/2016
Page 3 of 5
Neil J. Gillespie
----- Original Message ----From: OIGHotline
To: 'Neil Gillespie'
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2016 12:56 PM
Subject: RE: Letter to Stefanie Isser Goldblatt, CFPB Senior Litigation Counsel Dec-23-2015 re
AMAZON.COM, Synchrony Bank, FOCUS Camera
Mr. Gillespie:
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (Board) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has received your
December 23, and 27, 2015, e-mails regarding consumer issues with Amazon and its
vendors and Bank of America . Our office investigates fraud, waste, and abuse of Board and
CFPB programs and operations. Your matter does not appear to fall under the purview of
our office; additionally, we are unable to investigate or intervene in individual consumer
matters against financial institutions. While it does not appear the OIG can assist you with
this matter, we have researched various points of contact to better assist you. Please note,
the OIG does not dispense legal advice to private citizens, nor does it act as a legal
representative for private citizens.
If you have not done so already, you may wish to contact the CFPB's Ombudsman's Office;
an independent, impartial, and confidential resource to help resolve process issues arising
from CFPB activities. They may be reached at:
If you would like to report fraud, waste, or abuse related to the programs or operations of
the Board or CFPB, you may contact us via mail, email, fax, or phone at the following:
2/15/2016
Page 4 of 5
Lastly, the Board does not regulate Bank of America; it is regulated by the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which is a branch of the Department of the Treasury.
Individuals can obtain information about, or file a formal complaint against a national bank,
such as Bank of America, by contacting the OCC Customer Assistance Unit. They may be
reached at the following:
OIG Hotline
2/15/2016
Page 5 of 5
2/15/2016
Page 1 of 1
Neil Gillespie
From:
To:
Sent:
Attach:
Subject:
2/15/2016
cf
l}~
Martin Michalosky
FOIA Manager
Operations Division
consurnerfinarlce,gov
Case - 120914-{)()()()82 - COlnp]aint against a HECM: lender and a HECJvI Counselor in Te.u Page I of 6
Re-.nce'
'20914.000082
Status
Investigation closed
AlgMdTo
Not specified
Product
Mortgage
Other mortgage
a.ue
Loan servtcing: payments. escrow account
Dlspositior1
Complaint
Date Created
0911412012 09:57 AM
Da18 Imllat Solution Response
None
LastUpdMed
11/13/2013 10:45 PM
DateCtosed
03119/2013 06:44 PM
Customer SmartSense
(on -3 to ...3 Beata)
Staff Sn1IrtSense
o (on -3 to +3 scate)
$end to company?
Yes
Copy Whet Happened (Flag)
Yas
Involves discrlmlnatlon?
No
DiscrImination age
No
Discrimination meritel
No
No
Dbcrlmlnatton race
No
Discrlmln8tton . . .else
No
No
DlscrtnUnatlon reUgion
No
Dlacrtmlnallon sex
No
Contael4Kt CC Issuer
Yes
Contaoled CFP8
No
No
Discussion Thread
Consumer called about rtle letter they wrote to the Director Coudroy. and would like to know the stalU6.
Provide answer Ihrough KB 997i Mr./Mrs. (consumer name}. a specialist in Cof1SlJmer Response has
completed the review of your complaint based on the federal consumer financial protection lav.-s within
the CFPBfs authori1y. We review aft Intormation provided by consumers. However. if you do not hear
'Irom us wiltlit160 days after you t1ispute~ you can assume we haw investigated and closed your
complal11t. If you have other feedb~ to share with the CFPB! incltJding feedback about oUt complaint
welcome and review all feedback from consumers, because it helps us to learn and improve OUf support
for consumers.
Mfk8~
I<B 1n1. The eFfie Ombudsman~sOffice is a free, independent, impart.aJ and oonfidenliat resource that
rnay be able to asSist you v.ith concerns about 'he Consumer Response ptocess at the CFPB. Uyou
have attempted to U$8 the ConsUfT1&r' Response process and normal resolution avenues without
success. yOtJ may contact the OmbUdsman.
The Ombudsman cannot address matters already in litigation, delay any statutory, reg~latory, or Qther
CFPB deadlines, make decir,k)r16 or IegaJ detenninations for the CFPB. or serve a6 a formal otfice of
lega1 notice for the CFPB.
You may teach the Ombudsmall's office by phone at 1855-83()"'7880 or by FAX at 202435-7988
Consumer didn't want to calf the Ombudsman's offK;e. Consumer felt that CFPB djdnll care about the
complaint and aooul the letter, nor reopening the oomplaiflt. No further QuestJOflS.
0411512013 12:29 PM
4/12113.
consu~ner on
flied
"'1
201303191445img0319....16520002 3 of 7.pdf
~Ol303191445img()319_16520002 .. of 1.pdf
201303191445img0319_16520002 5 of 7.pdf
201303191445img0319.._.16520002 6 of 1.pdf
201303191445itng0319.. J6520002 7 Of 7.pdf
A~
03119/201306:44 PM
This is an update about yourcomplaint r~arding Bank of ~ we received on 09i14/201 2 09 ~57 AM.
action
No
Conaumef DIsputed D8te
12f02!2012 08:50 PM
ltPcode
34481
0312812013 08:43 AM
Consumer sent ttl multimedia device(s) contaifting files that CFPB does naVcannot accept. Files were
returned on 312812013.
We tOMarded your complaint to Bank of America. for review~ and at*ed them to OOflsiderthe resolution
you (equested and respond within fifteen days. Bank of Amera levi&wed yoor conlplaint and the
resollAioo you requested and responded on 10101/2012.
Afthough the CFPB allows for the fihno of complaints on behalf of others. Bank or America has indicated
that it i$ unabto tc further process the oompJaint without authorization from tho co~StJmer. Unfcrfu"atsly.
https:/lhelp.consumeninance.gov/cgi-bin/vangent.cfglphp/adlnin1disp]ay/inc_ptint.php?p_i.~~
5/1212014
Case - 120914-()()()()82 - COlnplaint against a HECM: lender and a HEC1v1 Counselor in Te... Page 2 of 6
On behalf of
Myself
On beha1f of myself
Yes
State
FL
Z'Pc~
34481
State
FL
ZlPcod$
34481
Compi8lnt process
CFPB review
Sent to company
01124/2013 01:46 PM
Apond by
0210312013 12:00 AM
Respond By 60 Days
11 !16l2012 12~OO AM
compWnt source
Referral
I dispute this resolution?
no
rU1t~er
acUoo wm be taken on ~"Our indiviclual complaint at 1his time. We encourage the consumer to
We take COOSUIl'$$f complaints \.y seriously and ate grateful for the information you have pro'Jided
Uuoughout this process. Consumer complaints inform us about business practices 1t1at may pOSG nsk.s
to consumers and help with me CFPB's supervisory. enforcement artd rulemakiog responsibijities.
Heating !rom engaged and proactive consum8f'S like you is criticaltc our mission. With this
correspondence, we are closing you, file on this matter withlo Consumer Response. Please feel tree to
contacllhe CFPB if you need help with another consumer finance matter in the future.
Thank you)
Yes
Special handling?
No
No Rnpon18 Flag
'.st
Due trt.g
No
No
Refen'ed By
HUO
SCript Complete?
No
Dete Reviewed
09/1712012
PotentIat Whlstlebto. .,
No
S&rvtce Member?
No
No
Older American?
No
NeI11ltlve Inctudes PlI?
No
investigation Letler sent?
Yes
Invest Letter Reedy 10 send?
No
09/251201207:23 NA
0... of ............ eMnge
03/1912013 06:~ ~A
Into ReceiVed Company
02l0112013 11 :41 Nit
03119;'201305:31 PM
01/22.1201312:14 PM
The COOSW1W is calling about the stalus of the complaint I read the 997 kb to the consumer. The
consumer has received a letter of foreclosure and needs to have a response by the first of February. I
explained to the conSUrMr thai the CFPB cannot gat involved in any legal matters. The consumer want1s
10 change the correspondence which would be through emaal. The consumer want's to know how to
appty tor a disabilhy assistance with his complaint. I caUed lief 2 and talked to Jeff and he said that we
can only accommodate writing the notes in the case or he can mail 0" fClJ( us the information. The
consumer warts to know why the bank wm not speak wItt1 him because the signer's of loan are
deceased lhe oonsumer's stating ~.al this is a reverse mortgage and not a reguiar mortgage. The
consumer claim's that lJndet Florida law nothing can be changed or disrega.ding from the original
documents. The ooosumer was provided the web sill to the FOIA request and he wiU send his concerr,s
regarding the mailer of his disability.
1210212012 08=50 PM
Thank you lor reviewing Bank of Arnerica's response to your complaint (Case ntlmber: 120914-000(02).
We regret that YOUf comptltim: has not been resofved. We take consumer complain1s very seriously and
use complaints fike yours 10 identify practices or amas at ooocem. A Consumer Financiat Protection
Bureau specials is reviewing your complaint and may contact you and Bank of America to coljec(
additional information. This coutd be a lengthy process.. $0 we ask for your patience.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is also aet.iveiV tracking the issues that oonsumers care
about~ to learn more about 'these issues pJease go to N1p:Ji~"'ww .consumertina.'lcs.gov.
http://vNiw.maJcjnghomeaffordable.QOYfPfogramslPageSidefault.aspJ<
No
PkJase nate that filing a CDfnpleint wiU1 us wl1l nol8l.1tamaticaUy Slop or delay a foreclosure.
htlp~:/lhelp.consumerfinance.gov/cgi-bjnlvangent.cfglphp/adlnin/disp]ay/inc_prjnt.php?p_i.H
5/1212014
Case - 120914-()()()()82 - COlnp]aint against a HECM: lender and a HECJvI Coul1selor in Te.u Page 3 of 6
No
T'18nk you.
Maklng payments
No
Signing the -areement
No
Concerned about foreclosure?
Yes
No
No
Company initial Response Date
10f01l2012
12~OO
AM
Aut~sponse
1209i~OOO082)
10/21/2012 04:37 PM
and has prcwkled a
0911712012 12~OO AM
To view the status of your complaint or to dispute the resolution within the next 10 days~ go to
https:./ihelp.consumerfJnance90~/applaccount.icomplaintS:i1ist.
01:0412013 07~44 AM
ftm_lvI_fnvest_comple1e_tlme
02f04l2013 03~19 PM
In the meantime, if ~u;re having trouble paying your mortgage and need immediate assistance. call us
at (855) 411-CFPB. We can conned you to a free~ HUD-appfoved houSing ooutlsek>r who can help yOll
explore all available options to avoid foreclosure. including modifi(Jations. shorl sales~ repayment plans
and govemment programs.
Special assistance may be ava.abIe to m~itary
members or veterans.
InVestig8t1on_elosed_tlrne
04l29i2013 O~09 AM
IG Report
No
Copy to mellinG address
No
Copy to company address
Please note that filing a complaint "'itf1 U& \IIiU not automatically stop or delay a foreclosure.
Thankyout
ConsutT* Re&ponse Team
Consumer Financiat Prot8ction Bureau
consumemnance.gov
(855) 411..cfPB (2372)
No
No
Copy to on-behal1 addr
No
Copy to servlce ...-nber address
No
SUCcess Story
No
Ftecommendation
10118/201202:20 PM
10r01;'2012 04:23 PM
No
Human Interest
You are not required to take any action. However. to view the staw6 of your complaint or to dispute .h~
reaollJlion 00 to http$~ilnelp .collswl1erfmance.govlapp/8ocount/cofnplaintailist and click on your
No
Red flag?
No
Emerging Issue
No
Withhold from pubUcatfon?
complaint n~r.
In the meantime, if you're ha~ng trouble PElying your mortgage and need immediate assistance. call us
at (855) 411..cFPB. We can connect you to a free: MUD-approved housing counselor who can help you
explore all available options to avoid loreclosure. irIcluding modifications: shorl sates. repayment plans
and government programs.
No
Consumer Slate
FL
httpi/~'\y.maldnghomeaffordabl-9.gov!programslPagesrOefautt.aspx
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau actively tracks issues consumers care about when it comes
to Mortgage. To leam more abou1 these issues. go 10 consumerUnance.gov.
10/01/2012 12:00 AM
CFPB Cloaed
08/13/201301:25 AM
SCrub State
Do not scrub
~"1ank you.
Auto-Response Note
091171201202:06 PM
Neil Gillespie
8092 SW 115th loop
0C0Ja. Fl34481
Dear Neil Gihespje:
rnank you for contacting the CorJ&vmsr Financial Protection Buraau. We receivod your complaint
Case - 120914-{)()()()82 - COlnp]aint against a HECM: lender and a HEC~I Coul1se.]or in Te.u Page 4 of 6
PQ$S1bIe.
The foHowing case numbel has been aS6igtled to your CQlTtplaint: 120914000082. Keep this nurnbef for
hrture reference and contact with the Consumer Anancial Protection Bureau regardng your C',otnpliitnt.
To r./iew your complaint and "few the status go to consumerfinance.gov. You may also call 1 (85S) 411
CFPB (2372) to hear your compfaint"s status update.
In the meantirn8~ if you:re having trouble paying your mortgage and need unmedia1e Q&sistar.ca. call us
at (855) 411 ..CFPB. ",-Ve can connect ~u to a free. HUD-approved housiflg counselor who can help you
8)C;plore all available options to avoid foreclosure, including modificattons. short sales repayment plans
and govemmeo1 programs.
9
PJease note that filing a COmplaint with us Wilt not automatically stop Of delay a foreclosure.
Tne Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is actively trackmg the issues that COtIsumers care about. to
learn more about these issues go to corasumerfinance.gov.
T:....ank you
Consumer Response Team
y
Recently we found a material alteration to our HECM reverse mortgage made by tnterUneation
after o)(ecubon. (Exhibits 32 f1d 3-3). Pfsase taka flotlco that we DO NOT ratify ths change. The
interlineation is a handwritten alteration, not inetialed and not dated. and .,itlaies the
mortgage.
The ifltartineation is an attempt to add 8 new party to the reverse mortgago. PeneJope
Gme~e
~1.
coosutted found the altered mortgage on the Marion County Clerk's website. This mortgagee
docum6nt cif1efS from the mortgage doaJments we signed June 5,2008 with no intSflineation_ 011
JanuQtV 15. 2009 Bank or America provided us with copies oI1he mor1gage documents that haw no
interlinealian. (Ekh.bits 9 and I 0). Therefote I CQflch.ide that the intertineat~n is evidence
of
by ttle'lender andfor 1ender-affiliated parties.
mwa
09114/201203:20 PM
Recently we found a material alteration to our HECM reverse ,nortgage mad~ by inter~ineation
after execution. (Exhibits 32 and 33). Pt8ase take notice that we DO NOT rati1y the change. The
interlineation is a handWJ'itt$fl alteration, not crntialed and not dated. and "it,ates the
mortgage.
The interlineation is an attempt 10 add a new party to the reverse moftgage t Penelope r~.
Gin&$pie individually. The interlineation I'8C8flUy came to 0Uf attention Wh$fl an attorney we
consulted found the aI'ered mortgage on the Marion Count'! ClerK's website. This mortgagee
documentdifters from the mortgage documents we signed June 5. 2008 with 00 tnterlineation. On
January 15~ 2009 Bank of A.merica provided us with copieS or the mortgage documents that have no
interlineation. (Exhibits 9 and to). TheretcQ I COflclude ItIm the Intemfle8don is evldefloo
of fraud by the lender anG'or lender-affiliated parties.
Customer
09J14i2012 09:57 AM
_._:a;::";I;~_a_===;;;:;:;;;;;_=
Primary Contact
FIrat Name: Neil
OrganlUtlon:
Login: neitgiuespie@mfLnel
Title: Mr.
contact Type:
EmaIl: nei~iuespte@mftnel
EmeU .. Abema1a #1 :
MobIle Phone:
Fo:
Assist1lnt Phone:
Home Phone:
City OcaJa
S18tel'Province FL
Post.1 Code ~1
5/1212014
Case - 120914-()()()()82 - COlnp]aint against a HECM: lender and a HEClvl Cow1selor in Te.. ~ Page 5 of 6
AdditiOM.1 Information
Name on acct: Nea GHlespie
Company name: 8ankof Ametica~ N.A.
City: Ocala
Country: United States
Address 1: 8092 SW 115tn Loop
City: Ocala
Country: United States
Company Sta1us 1:
investigation Letter Template:
Cuneney type (Error Amount):
Colmtry (Sender Agent):
United States
What H!p!!Md?
Recently we found a material atteration to our HECM reverse mortgage made by interlineation
after execution. (EXhib'ts 32 and 33). Please UIke notice that we DO NOT ratify the change. The
intertineation ls a handorWritte11 atteration, not initialed and not da1ed, and vwates the
mortgage.
The interlineation Is an attempt to add a new party to the reverse mongage~ Penelope M.
GiUespie individually. The interflneation recently came to our attention when an attorney we
consulted found the altered mortgage on ihe Marion County Clefi('s websit6. This mortgagee
document differs from the mortgage cJocuments we sjgned June 5! 2008 with no interlitl8ation. On
January 15. 2009 Bank of America provided us with copies of the mortgage documents that have no
inter1ineation. (EXhibits 9 and 10). Therefore I conclude that U1e intefhneation is evidence
of fnwd by the lender aodJor lendet'..affiJiated pan~s.
Fair ....olution?
n;;i~erii;ai;;n~"a-;;aii;.n.:;io8dda~;PartYto"ihe~;;;:se"~o~tgage~"
~~-~-----------------_._------_._----_._---------_._-------------_..._---------------------------------_._-------_._----
I provided Bank of America a copy or the wilt on OCtober 8t 2012 naming me as the executor t as
requested by Bank of America.
I received a 1e1t9r dated October 1ST 2012 Datlielle N. Parsons. Esq. responding on beh~f of Rev$f'Se
Mortgage So1utions (RMS) about my Augt.:st 9.2012 complaint to HUe and RMS. The leiter looks like a
general denial of my accusatior-s.
_--_.._.._.._ _...._._._.._.._.._._
__.._.._._-_...._.-_
Bank of America's Off~ce of the CEO and President aGkllowledges receipt of your inquiry. As a customer
advocate. I welcome t"e opportunity to respond 10 your inquir'/.
Laws that govem customer privacy prev&nt us from providiflg you with detaHs about any relationship we
may have wtth any customer without fitst obtaining the wrltter1 consent of such (;UStomer. Since our
records indtcate that no written 8U'.horization ha& been received to dale from ~ person Oil whose behalf
you are inquiring, we are unable to discuss any jnforma1ior1 with you at thiS t~. Please provJde a copy of
the will nammg the third party as the executor or the ~lters of testamentarv naaning you as lhe auU10rized
representative. We wiH respond 10 the concerns raised in yourcorrespoodence once the aforemerltioned
dacumsols are pro-.tided.
" you wish SO SUbmit the will or the tetler& of lestament.ary: you can fax lhem mredly to me at
1.877.373.7139. Please feel free to contact me directly at 1.972.526.3604. I am avaUabIe Monday through
Friday. 7:30 a.tn. to 4:30 p.m. central.
Sinoorely.
Christopher Pickle
Customer A~ocate
OffICe oJ the CEO and President
CC~ Consumer Fmancial Protection Buteau Case # 12091~2
Explanation of Closure
Bank of America"s Offjce of the CEO and Presidem acknowteOges receipt of yow inquiry. Ali a customer
Laws that govern customer privacy prevent us from providing you with detaHs about any relationst1ip we
mal' have with any customer without filst obtaining the written consent of such customer. Since our
records indicate that no wntten authoriZawtiOn has been received to dale from lhe person on v.l1ose behaU
you are inquifing, we are unable to discuss any fnformalion with you at this time. Please provtde a oopy of
the will na,ning the third party as tile mcecutor or the Fetters ot testaJnentary naming you as tile authorized
https;/lhelp.consumeJfinance.gov/cgi-bin/vangent.cfglphp/adminldisp]ay/inc_prlnt.php?p_i... 5/1212014
Case - 120914-{)()()()82 - COlnp]a.1.nt against a HECM: lender and a HECJvI Coullselor in Te.. ~ Page 6 of 6
representative. We wili respond to the coocems raised in yourcorrespondenoe once the aforemefltioned
documents aTe provided.
If yOlA wiSh to subfnit the wtH Of the letters of testa rne ntary, you can fax them directly to me at
1.871.373.7139. Please feel free to contact me directly at 1.972.526.3604.1 am available Monday throllgh
Friday? 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p,m. Cen1m1.
Sincerely,
Chri~opher Pickle
Customer Ad\tocate
Otf;ce at 1t1e CEO and Presjdent
cc: Ccnsumer Financial Protecticfl Bureau Case 1/ 120914000082
In the ~antime) if you're haVlng trouble paying your nrortgage and need immediate assistance, caH us at
(856) 411..cFPB. We can connect ~u to a free, HUD-approved houscng coun$t)lor\Vho can help you
explore all available options to avoid foreclosure. includklg modifications, shoo sale$! ~epQyment plans
and government programs.
You can
.0
Please note !hal fUing a complaint with us will not mJtomatlcaBy stop or delay a foreclosure.
File Attachments
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unenfOfceable as a result
Desired Resolution: None providtd.
consume~$ document
01/24/2013
12~SS PM
Greg Evans
01124/2013
01:43 PM
un
felf'~lOl3~lioA(es~ontSeoat\(f~(OVidedalettet
parties.
Further, laws that govern customer privicy prevent LIS from
02104/2013
02:44 PM
Greg Evans
03/19/2013
01:08 PM
Andrew Fay
02l04n013
03:02 PM
Per discussion with It Byrne. this case cart be dosed with the
....1.m"').'.t~.M~~ ..~.'.In.m~.~.i.~n ..l.~tt.~.r: ...
03119/2013
01:08 PM
the written consent of such customer. Since our records indicate that no written
authorization has been received to date from the person on whose behalf you
are inquiring, we are unable to discuss any information with you at this time.
Please provide a copy of the will naming the third party as the executor or the
letters of testamentary naming you as the authorized representative. We will
respond to the concerns raised in your correspondence once the
aforementioned documents are provided.
If you wish to submit the will or the letters of testamentary, you can fax them
directly to me at 1.877.373.7139. Please feel free to contact me directly at
1.972.526.3604. I am available Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Central.
The Consumer Response Team requested additional information from Bank of America,
including a response to documents you submitted, concerning this matter. Bank of
America responded by providing a letter addressed to you and dated February 1, 2012.
The letter stated, in part:
Our records indicate that we do not have proper authorization to disclose any
information to you regarding Ms. Penelope M. Gillespies account. Bank of
America values and guards our customers privacy and financial information
and, therefore, does not provide customer-specific information to unauthorized
third parties.
Further, laws that govern customer privacy prevent us from providing you with
details about any relationship we may have with any customer without first
obtaining the written consent of such customer. Our records confirm that we
have not received any written authorization from Ms. Gillespie, therefore, we
are unable to discuss any information about her account with you. In order to
obtain a response to the concerns raised in your correspondence, please provide
us with a copy of a proper third party authorization form naming you as Ms.
Gillespies authorized representative. You may contact Bank of Americas
Reverse Mortgage Department at 1.866.863.5224 for instructions on how to
submit these necessary documents.
Although the CFPB allows for the filing of complaints on behalf of others, Bank of
America has indicated that it is unable to further process the complaint without
authorization from the consumer requesting the resolution above. Unfortunately, no
further action will be taken on your complaint at this time. Our review was limited to
federal consumer financial protection laws within the CFPBs authority. Our disposition
should not be considered to be a determination with respect to the validity of your
complaint. We hope you understand that the CFPB does not represent individuals in
legal matters. If you believe this does not resolve your complaint, you are of course free
to contact a private attorney about this matter or file your own case in court.
For more information on mortgages, or any other consumer financial product or service,
visit Ask CFPB at www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/.
Specifically, please see the following entries from Ask CFPB:
Housing counselors are permitted to charge for reverse mortgage counseling, but the
agency must tell you about the fee before charging it, and the fee has to be reasonable.
Fees are typically about $125. Counseling agencies are also required to waive the
counseling fee if your income is less than twice the poverty level.
TIP: Make sure your reverse mortgage counselor is approved by the U.S. Department
of Urban Development (HUD). You can find HUD-approved housing counselor by
visiting HUD's counselor search page or calling HUDs housing counselor referral line
(1-800-569-4287).
TIP: If you are behind on your taxes and insurance and you are facing foreclosure, you
can receive free reverse mortgage foreclosure prevention counseling. To find a specialist
counselor, call one of the five national counseling agencies and ask for HECM
foreclosure prevention counseling:
CredAbility: 1-888-395-2664
Money Management International: 1-866-765-3328
National Council on the Aging: 1-800-510-0301
National Foundation for Credit Counseling: 1-866-363-2227
NeighborWorks America: 1-888-990-4326
If you paid someone up-front for counseling and they never provided counseling to you,
or if someone is offering you counseling only if you purchase an insurance or financial
product along with your reverse mortgage, report the agency and counselor by filing a
complaint with the CFPB, or calling 1-855-411-CFPB (2372).
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/232/what-will-reverse-mortgage-housingcounseling-cost.html
We take consumer complaints very seriously and are grateful for the information you
have provided throughout this process. Consumer complaints inform us about business
practices that may pose risk to consumers and assist the CFPBs supervisory,
enforcement, and rulemaking responsibilities. Hearing from engaged and proactive
consumers like you is critical to our mission. With this correspondence, we are closing
your file on this matter within Consumer Response. Please feel free to contact the CFPB
should you need help with another consumer finance matter in the future.
Thank you,
Consumer Response Team
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
consumerfinance.gov
(855) 411-CFPB (2372)
A search of our Office of the Human Capital for documents responsive to your request produced
a total of 7 pages, pages 1-3 apply to Andrew Few, pages 4-5 apply to Greg Evans, and pages 6-7
apply to K. Byrne. Attached to this letter please find our response to your request, consisting of
7 pages that are granted in full. No deletions or exemptions have been claimed on these records.
The physical mailing address for the CFPB General Counsel and CFPB Director are as follows:
Consumer Finance Protection Bureau
General Counsel
ATTN: Meredith Fuchs
1700 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20552
Consumer Finance Protection Bureau
Office of the Director
ATTN: Richard Cordray
1700 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20552
Provisions of the FOIA allow us to recover part of the cost of complying with your request. In
this instance, we have waived all fees related to the processing of your request. Therefore, your
fee waiver is moot.
For questions concerning our response, please feel free to contact CFPBs FOIA Service Center
by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 1-855-444-FOIA (3642).
Sincerely,
Martin Michalosky
FOIA Manager
Operations Division
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/consumer-advisory-three-steps-you-should-take-if-you-have-a-reverse-mortgage/
12/2/2015 2:29 PM
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/consumer-advisory-three-steps-you-should-take-if-you-have-a-reverse-mortgage/
12/2/2015 2:29 PM
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/consumer-advisory-three-steps-you-should-take-if-you-have-a-reverse-mortgage/
12/2/2015 2:29 PM
CFPB Consumer advisory: Three steps you should take if you have a reverse mortgage
February 9, 2015, by Nora Dowd Eisenhower
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/consumer-advisory-three-steps-you-should-take-if-you-have-a-reverse-mortgage/
Avoid reverse mortgages, they are very complicated, and once you sign up, the bank dictates every
thing, and you have NO RIGHTS. Yes, you can hire a lawyer, provided you can afford $350 per
hour, plus expenses, court costs, etc. Better have $50,000 handy - to start. I made two complaints
to the CPFB, Complaint No. 120914-000082, and Complaint No. 140304-000750. Bank of
America quashed both of them, one by an inside job, the second by US Senator Marco Rubio.
For years Bank of America mislead me about "privacy" wrongly asserted for my deceased
mother, a co-borrower. Then I learned privacy laws do not protect the privacy of dead people.
Dead people do not have privacy rights. Privacy rights are personal and die with the individual.
Nestor v. Posner-Gerstenhaber, 857 So. 2d 953 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 3d Dist. 2003), review
denied, 869 So. 2d 540 (Fla. 2004).
[E]even where a private confidentiality agreement is otherwise proper, it will not be enforced
where its effect becomes obstructive of the rights of non-parties. See, e.g., Nestor v. PosnerGerstenhaber, 857 So. 2d 953, 955 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2003); Scott v. Nelson, 697 So. 2d 1300, 1301
(Fla. 1st DCA 1997). Quoted by U.S. Judge John E. Steele in Tardif, Trustee (Jason Yerk) v.
PETA, USDC, SD Fla. Fort Myers Div. Case No. 2:09-cv-537-FtM-29SPC, at the Pacer link,
Case 2:09-cv-00537-JES-SPC Document 179 Filed 11/04/11 Page 14 of 31 PageID 6050
You can read my my motion to reconsider filed in the U.S. Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/228311060/Motion-to-Reconsider-Vacate-Modify-Order-C-a-11-No-13-11585-B
The Court denied the motion, but said I could submit a petition under 28 USC 1651, the all writs
act, but changed its mind when I started that process. I still have time to appeal, and may do so.
The CFPB is well-intentioned, but it has little power against corrupt banks and judges. My name
is Neil J. Gillespie, 8092 SW 115th Loop, Ocala, Florida, 34481, [email protected], 352854-7807. If Director Richard Cordray gets this message, I am willing to provide additional
information. I believe in the mission of the CFPB, but found bad banks and bad judges are too
powerful for an ordinary person to get fair treatment. Thank you.
Exhibit 1
Nestor v. Posner-Gerstenhaber, 857 So. 2d 953 - 3rdDCA
Exhibit 2
Order and Opinion, U.S. Judge John E. Steele, Tardif, Trustee (Jason Yerk)
Exhibit 3
Defamation and Privacy 211 Generally, Florida Jurisprudence 2nd (2007)
The right of privacy has generally been considered personal in nature 1. Generally, an action for
invasion of privacy can be maintained only by a living individual whose privacy is invaded 2.
Privacy rights are thus personal and die with the individual 3.
Williams v. City of Minneola 575 So. 2d 683 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 5th Dist. 1991); Loft v.
Fuller, 408 So. 2d 619 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 4th Dist. 1981)
2
Ibid.
3
Nestor v. Posner-Gerstenhaber, 857 So. 2d 953 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 3d Dist. 2003), review
denied, 869 So. 2d 540 (Fla. 2004).
http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=4250594660189255836&hl=en&as_sdt=6&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr
*954 Ferrell, Schultz, Carter, Zumpano & Fertel and Gregory C. Harrell, Eugene Lindsey, and Joseph Beeler,
Miami; Kirkland & Ellis and Andrew B. Clubok and Stacey L. Bennett; Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell and Joshua
D. Lerner, for petitioners.
Hunton & Williams and Eduardo W. Gonzalez, Marty Steinberg, Thomas R. Julin, and Patricia Acosta, Miami,
for respondents.
Before FLETCHER, RAMIREZ, and WELLS, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
We grant Brenda Nestor's motion for clarification and correction. The opinion issued on August 13, 2003, is
hereby withdrawn, and the following opinion is substituted in its place.
In this consolidated petition, Security Management Corp. ("SMC") and Brenda Nestor, as personal
representative of Victor Posner's estate, seek a writ of certiorari to quash an order of the trial court which
declares a confidentiality agreement between Posner and Jeffrey Breen to be null and void. The petition is
denied.
Victor Posner died in 2002. Several months prior to Posner's death, Nestor had all Posner employees sign
confidentiality agreements which bar the disclosure of any information regarding Posner's "private life, plans,
businesses, finances, assets, liabilities, income, expenses and expenditures, legal matters, visitors,
acquaintances, meetings, activities, state of mind, health or health care ... except to the extent required by
law." All applicable privileges belonged to Posner personally, even if the employee was employed by a related
company and not Posner himself. The agreement also required employees to exert all applicable privileges
and, if requested to divulge confidential information, employees were to immediately notify Posner or
Posner's attorney.
Nestor is involved in a will contest with Posner's grandchildren, the respondents to this petition. Breen is a
witness to the contested will. The grandchildren contacted Breen in order to ascertain Posner's testamentary
http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=4250594660189255836&hl=en&as_sdt=6&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr
capacity at the time he signed the will and to determine whether the will was the result of undue influence by
Nestor. Nestor arranged for Breen to meet with the grandchildren and had the meeting secretly taped. SMC
then brought suit against the grandchildren for tortious interference with Breen's confidentiality agreement.
The grandchildren moved to have the confidentiality agreements nullified so they can conduct informal
discovery interviews with Breen and other Posner employees. The trial court nullified the agreement as to
Breen to the extent that it bars appropriate witness interviews, but not as to any others.
Although the trial court allowed SMC to intervene as a third party beneficiary, the confidentiality agreement
does not protect SMC, only "Posner and key persons in his related companies (including Melvin Colvin,
955
Brenda Nestor, and Posner's medical personnel, accountants, attorneys, and private investigators)." SMC
*955 is therefore not a third-party beneficiary to the agreement between Posner and Breen and lacks standing
to contest its validity.
Neither can Nestor, as personal representative, enforce the agreement against Breen for disclosing
information about Posner because Posner's privilege did not survive his death. Privacy rights are personal
and die with the individual. See Williams v. City of Minneola, 575 So.2d 683, 689 (Fla. 5th DCA 1991), citing
to Restatement (Second) of Torts 6521 ("Except for the appropriation of one's name or likeness, an action
for invasion of privacy can be maintained only by a living individual whose privacy is invaded."). Although the
agreement survives the employee's employment, there is no provision that requires confidentiality after
Posner's death.
Even if the petitioners have standing, Breen may still disclose information to the extent required by law, as
stated in the agreement. The petitioners agree that Breen can disclose the information the grandchildren
seek, but urge that Breen only be allowed to disclose information at a formal deposition or at trial. Contractual
confidentiality agreements, however, cannot be used to adversely interfere with the ability of nonparties to
pursue discovery in support of their case. See Smith v. TIB Bank of the Keys, 687 So.2d 895, 896 (Fla. 3d
DCA 1997); Scott v. Nelson, 697 So.2d 1300, 1301 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997) ("[S]ettlement agreements which
suppress evidence violate the greater public policy."). Informal ex parte interviews with former employees are
allowed, see H.B.A. Mgmt., Inc. v. Estate of Schwartz, 693 So.2d 541, 544-45 (Fla.1997), and ex parte
interviews with current employees may be allowed as well. See NAACP v. Florida Dept. Of Corrections, 122
F.Supp.2d 1335, 1341 (M.D.Fla.2000). We thus find no need to make the grandchildren jump through legal
hoops to obtain information the petitioners agree may be disclosed.
The trial court based its ruling in part on Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.010 which states that "[t]hese rules
shall be construed and administered to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every
action." The petitioners seek a ruling which effectively would force the grandchildren to undergo unnecessary
and costly discovery procedures, contrary to the goals that underlie rule 1.010. Because the trial court has
broad discretion in discovery matters, see Dickinson v. Wells, 454 So.2d 758, 759 (Fla. 1st DCA 1984), and
there has been no clear departure from the essential requirements of law which results in a miscarriage of
justice, we deny certiorari review.
Case No.
2:09-cv-537-FtM-29SPC
Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. #135) on June 19, 2011 and
plaintiff filed his Partial Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. #139)
on June 20, 2011.
judgment
appropriate
only
when
the
Court
is
vulnerable
adult
abuse);
Fla.
Stat.
17.0401
(consumer
None of these
Additionally,
857 So. 2d 953, 955 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2003); Scott v. Nelson, 697 So.
2d 1300, 1301 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997).
In this case, the confidentiality agreement allowed PETA to
disclose the substance of the alleged abuse and the identity of the
witnesses to it.
case, PETA was not legally required to answer questions from the
LCSO.
-14-
211
B.
Research References
~331,
335
Legal Encyclopedias
Am. Jur. 2d, Privacy 13 to 22
211
Generally
Research References
West's Key Number Digest, Torts
~331,
335
211
FLORIDA JURISPRUDENCE
2n
212
Research References
West's Key Number Digest, Torts
~331,
335
2005).
As to descendibility of false
light privacy claims, see 222.
[Section 212]
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Regulatory capture is a form of political corruption that occurs when a regulatory agency, created to act in the
public interest, instead advances the commercial or political concerns of special interest groups that dominate
the industry or sector it is charged with regulating.[1] Regulatory capture is a form of government failure; it
creates an opening for firms or political groups to behave in ways injurious to the public (e.g., producing
negative externalities). The agencies are called "captured agencies".
1 Theory
1.1 Relationship with federalism
1.2 Economic rationale
2 Types of regulatory capture
3 Examples
3.1 United States examples
3.2 Canadian examples
3.3 Japanese examples
3.4 International examples
4 See also
5 Notes
6 References
7 Bibliography
8 External links
For public choice theorists, regulatory capture occurs because groups or individuals with a high-stakes interest in
the outcome of policy or regulatory decisions can be expected to focus their resources and energies in
attempting to gain the policy outcomes they prefer, while members of the public, each with only a tiny
individual stake in the outcome, will ignore it altogether.[2] Regulatory capture refers to the actions by interest
groups when this imbalance of focused resources devoted to a particular policy outcome is successful at
"capturing" influence with the staff or commission members of the regulatory agency, so that the preferred
policy outcomes of the special interest groups are implemented.
Regulatory capture theory is a core focus of the branch of public choice referred to as the economics of
regulation; economists in this specialty are critical of conceptualizations of governmental regulatory intervention
as being motivated to protect public good. Often cited articles include Bernstein (1955), Huntington (1952),
Laffont & Tirole (1991), and Levine & Forrence (1990). The theory of regulatory capture is associated with
Nobel laureate economist George Stigler,[3] one of its main developers.[4]
Likelihood of regulatory capture is a risk to which an agency is exposed by its very nature.[5] This suggests that
a regulatory agency should be protected from outside influence as much as possible. Alternatively, it may be
better to not create a given agency at all lest the agency become victim, in which case it may serve its regulated
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subjects rather than those whom the agency was designed to protect. A captured regulatory agency is often
worse than no regulation, because it wields the authority of government. However, increased transparency of
the agency may mitigate the effects of capture. Recent evidence suggests that, even in mature democracies with
high levels of transparency and media freedom, more extensive and complex regulatory environments are
associated with higher levels of corruption (including regulatory capture).[6]
Economic rationale
The idea of regulatory capture has an obvious economic basis, in that vested interests in an industry have the
greatest financial stake in regulatory activity and are more likely to be motivated to influence the regulatory
body than dispersed individual consumers,[2] each of whom has little particular incentive to try to influence
regulators. When regulators form expert bodies to examine policy, this invariably features current or former
industry members, or at the very least, individuals with contacts in the industry.
Some economists, such as Jon Hanson and his co-authors, argue that the phenomenon extends beyond just
political agencies and organizations. Businesses have an incentive to control anything that has power over them,
including institutions from the media, academia and popular culture, thus they will try to capture them as well.
This phenomenon is called "deep capture."[8]
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In the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Minerals Management Service (MMS), which had
regulatory responsibility for offshore oil drilling, was widely cited as an example of regulatory capture.[11][12]
The MMS then became the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE)
and on October 1, 2010, the collection of mineral leases was split off from the agency and placed under the
Department of the Interior as the Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR). On October 1, 2011,
BOEMRE was then split into two bureaus, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and
the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).[13]
The three-stage reorganization, including the name change to BOEMRE, was part of a re-organization by Ken
Salazar,[13] who was sworn into office as the new Secretary of the Interior on the same day the name change
was announced.[14] Salazar's appointment was controversial because of his ties to the energy industry.[15] As a
senator, Salazar voted against an amendment to repeal tax breaks for ExxonMobil and other major petroleum
companies[16] and in 2006, he voted to end protections that limit offshore oil drilling in Florida's Gulf Coast.[17]
One of Salazar's immediate tasks was to "[end] the department's coziness with the industries it regulates"[15] but
Daniel R. Patterson, a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, said "Salazar has a disturbingly weak
conservation record, particularly on energy development, global warming, endangered wildlife and protecting
scientific integrity. It's no surprise oil and gas, mining, agribusiness and other polluting industries that have
dominated Interior are supporting rancher Salazar he's their friend."[15] Indeed, a spokesman for the National
Mining Association, which lobbies for the mining industry, praised Salazar, saying that he was not doctrinaire
about the use of public lands.[15]
MMS had allowed BP and dozens of other companies to drill in the Gulf of Mexico without first attaining
permits to assess threats to endangered species, as required by law.[18] BP and other companies were also given
a blanket exemption from having to provide environmental impact statements.[18] The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued strong warnings about the risks posed by such drilling and in a
2009 letter, accused MMS of understating the likelihood and potential consequences of a major spill in the Gulf
of Mexico.[18] The letter further accused MMS of highlighting the safety of offshore drilling while understating
the risks and impact of spills and playing down the fact that spills had been increasing.[18] Both current and
former MMS staff scientists said their reports were overruled and altered if they found high risk of accident or
environmental impact.[18] Kieran Suckling, director of the Center for Biological Diversity, said, "MMS has given
up any pretense of regulating the offshore oil industry. The agency seems to think its mission is to help the oil
industry evade environmental laws."[18]
After the Deepwater accident occurred, Salazar said he would delay granting any further drilling permits. Three
weeks later, at least five more permits had been issued by the minerals agency.[18] In March 2011, BOEMRE
began issuing more offshore drilling permits in the Gulf of Mexico.[19] Michael Bromwich, head of BOEMRE,
said he was disturbed by the speed at which some oil and gas companies were shrugging off Deepwater Horizon
as "a complete aberration, a perfect storm, one in a million," but would nonetheless soon be granting more
permits to drill for oil and gas in the gulf.[19]
Commodity Futures Trading Commission
In October 2010, George H. Painter, one of the two Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
administrative law judges, retired, and in the process requested that his cases not be assigned to the other judge,
Bruce C. Levine.[20] Painter wrote, "On Judge Levine's first week on the job, nearly twenty years ago, he came
into my office and stated that he had promised Wendy Gramm, then Chairwoman of the Commission, that we
would never rule in a complainant's favor," Painter wrote.[20] "A review of his rulings will confirm that he
fulfilled his vow." In further explaining his request, he wrote, "Judge Levine, in the cynical guise of enforcing
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the rules, forces pro se complainants to run a hostile procedural gauntlet until they lose hope, and either
withdraw their complaint or settle for a pittance, regardless of the merits of the case."[20] Gramm, wife of former
Senator Phil Gramm, was accused of helping Goldman Sachs, Enron and other large firms gain influence over
the commodity markets. After leaving the CFTC, Wendy Gramm joined the board of Enron.[20]
Environmental Protection Agency
Natural gas drilling increased in the United States after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said in
2004 that hydraulic fracturing, "posed little or no threat" to drinking water.[21] Also known as "fracking", the
process was invented by Halliburton in the 1940s.[22] Whistleblower Weston Wilson says that the EPA's
conclusions were "unsupportable" and that five of the seven-member review panel that made the decision had
conflicts of interest.[21] A New York Times editorial said the 2004 study "whitewashed the industry and was
dismissed by experts as superficial and politically motivated."[22] The EPA is currently prohibited by law from
regulating fracking, the result of the "Halliburton Loophole," a clause added to the 2005 energy bill at the
request of then-vice president Dick Cheney, who was CEO of Halliburton before becoming vice president.
[21][22] Legislation to close the loophole and restore the EPA's authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing has been
referred to committee in both the House and the Senate.[23][24]
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a dual-mandate both to promote aviation and to regulate its
safety. A report by the Department of Transportation that found FAA managers had allowed Southwest Airlines
to fly 46 airplanes in 2006 and 2007 that were overdue for safety inspections, ignoring concerns raised by
inspectors. Audits of other airlines resulted in two airlines grounding hundreds of planes, causing thousands of
flight cancellations.[25] The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee investigated the matter after
two FAA whistleblowers, inspectors Charalambe "Bobby" Boutris and Douglas E. Peters, contacted them.
Boutris said he attempted to ground Southwest after finding cracks in the fuselage, but was prevented by
supervisors he said were friendly with the airline.[26] The committee subsequently held hearings in April 2008.
James Oberstar, former chairman of the committee said its investigation uncovered a pattern of regulatory abuse
and widespread regulatory lapses, allowing 117 aircraft to be operated commercially although not in compliance
with FAA safety rules.[26] Oberstar said there was a "culture of coziness" between senior FAA officials and the
airlines and "a systematic breakdown" in the FAA's culture that resulted in "malfeasance, bordering on
corruption."[26]
On July 22, 2008, a bill was unanimously approved in the House to tighten regulations concerning airplane
maintenance procedures, including the establishment of a whistleblower office and a two-year "cooling off"
period that FAA inspectors or supervisors of inspectors must wait before they can work for those they regulated.
[25][27] The bill also required rotation of principal maintenance inspectors and stipulated that the word
"customer" properly applies to the flying public, not those entities regulated by the FAA.[25] The bill died in a
Senate committee that year.[28] In 2008 the FAA proposed to fine Southwest $10.2 million for failing to inspect
older planes for cracks,[29] and in 2009 Southwest and the FAA agreed that Southwest would pay a $7.5 million
penalty and would adapt new safety procedures, with the fine doubling if Southwest failed to follow through.[30]
In September 2009, the FAA administrator issued a directive mandating that the agency use the term
"customers" only to refer to the flying public.[31]
Prior to the deregulation of the US air industry, the Civil Aeronautics Board served to maintain an oligopoly of
US airlines.[32][33]
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In a June 2010 article on regulatory capture, the FAA was cited as an example of "old-style" regulatory capture,
"in which the airline industry openly dictates to its regulators its governing rules, arranging for not only
beneficial regulation but placing key people to head these regulators."[34]
Federal Communications Commission
Legal scholars have pointed to the possibility that federal agencies such as the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) had been captured by media conglomerates. Peter Schuck of Yale Law School has argued
that the FCC is subject to capture by the media industries' leaders and therefore reinforce the operation of
corporate cartels in a form of "corporate socialism" that serves to "regressively tax consumers, impoverish small
firms, inhibit new entry, stifle innovation, and diminish consumer choice".[35] The FCC selectively granted
communications licenses to some radio and television stations in a process that excludes other citizens and little
stations from having access to the public.[36]
Michael K. Powell, who served on the FCC for eight years and was chairman for four, was appointed president
and chief executive officer of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, a lobby group. As of April
25, 2011, he will be the chief lobbyist and the industry's liaison with Congress, the White House, the FCC and
other federal agencies.[37]
Meredith Attwell Baker was one of the FCC commissioners who approved a controversial merger between NBC
Universal and Comcast. Four months later, she announced her resignation from the FCC to join Comcast's
Washington, D.C. lobbying office.[38] Legally, she is prevented from lobbying anyone at the FCC for two years
and an agreement made by Comcast with the FCC as a condition of approving the merger will ban her from
lobbying any executive branch agency for life.[38] Nonetheless, Craig Aaron, of Free Press, who opposed the
merger, complained that "the complete capture of government by industry barely raises any eyebrows" and said
public policy would continue to suffer from the "continuously revolving door at the FCC".[38]
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York (New York Fed) is the most influential of the Federal Reserve Banking
System. Part of the New York Fed's responsibilities is the regulation of Wall Street, but its president is selected
by and reports to a board dominated by the chief executives of some of the banks it oversees.[39] While the New
York Fed has always had a closer relationship with Wall Street, during the years that Timothy Geithner was
president, he became unusually close with the scions of Wall Street banks,[39] a time when banks and hedge
funds were pursuing investment strategies that caused the 2008 financial crisis, which the Fed failed to stop.
During the financial crisis, several major banks that were on the verge of collapse were rescued with
government emergency funding.[39] Geithner engineered the New York Fed's purchase of $30 billion of credit
default swaps from American International Group (AIG), which it had sold to Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch,
Deutsche Bank and Socit Gnrale. By purchasing these contracts, the banks received a "back-door bailout"
of 100 cents on the dollar for the contracts.[40] Had the New York Fed allowed AIG to fail, the contracts would
have been worth much less, resulting in much lower costs for any taxpayer-funded bailout.[40] Geithner
defended his use[40] of unprecedented amounts of taxpayer funds to save the banks from their own mistakes,[39]
saying the financial system would have been threatened. At the January 2010 congressional hearing into the
AIG bailout, the New York Fed initially refused to identify the counterparties that benefited from AIG's bailout,
claiming the information would harm AIG.[40] When it became apparent this information would become public,
a legal staffer at the New York Fed e-mailed colleagues to warn them, lamenting the difficulty of continuing to
keep Congress in the dark.[40] Jim Rickards calls the bailout a crime and says "the regulatory system has become
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gains control of an agency meant to regulate it. Regulatory capture can be countered only by
vigorous public scrutiny and Congressional oversight, but in the 32 years since Three Mile Island,
interest in nuclear regulation has declined precipitously.[49]
Then-candidate Barack Obama said in 2007 that the five-member NRC had become "captive of the industries
that it regulates" and Joe Biden indicated he had absolutely no confidence in the agency.[50]
The NRC has given a license to "every single reactor requesting one", according Greenpeace USA nuclear
policy analyst Jim Riccio to refer to the agency approval process as a "rubber stamp".[51] In Vermont, ten days
after the 2011 Thoku earthquake and tsunami that damaged Japan's Daiichi plant in Fukushima, the NRC
approved a 20-year extension for the license of Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, although the Vermont
state legislature had voted overwhelmingly to deny such an extension.[51][52] The Vermont plant uses the same
GE Mark 1 reactor design as the Fukushima Daiichi plant.[51] The plant had been found to be leaking
radioactive materials through a network of underground pipes, which Entergy, the company running the plant,
had denied under oath even existed. Representative Tony Klein, who chaired the Vermont House Natural
Resources and Energy Committee, said that when he asked the NRC about the pipes at a hearing in 2009, the
NRC didn't know about their existence, much less that they were leaking.[51] On March 17, 2011, the Union of
Concerned Scientists (UCS) released a study critical of the NRC's 2010 performance as a regulator. The UCS
said that through the years, it had found the NRC's enforcement of safety rules has not been "timely, consistent,
or effective" and it cited 14 "near-misses" at U.S. plants in 2010 alone.[53] Tyson Slocum, an energy expert at
Public Citizen said the nuclear industry has "embedded itself in the political establishment" through "reliable
friends from George Bush to Barack Obama", that the government "has really just become cheerleaders for the
industry."[54]
Although the exception, there have been instances of a revolving door. Jeffrey Merrifield, who was on the NRC
from 1997 to 2008 and was appointed by presidents Clinton and Bush, left the NRC to take an executive
position at The Shaw Group,[51] which has a nuclear division regulated by the NRC.[note 1] However, most
former commissioners return to academia or public service in other agencies.
A year-long Associated Press (AP) investigation showed that the NRC, working with the industry, has relaxed
regulations so that aging reactors can remain in operation.[55] The AP found that wear and tear of plants, such as
clogged lines, cracked parts, leaky seals, rust and other deterioration resulted in 26 alerts about emerging safety
problems and may have been a factor in 113 of the 226 alerts issued by the NRC between 2005 and June
2011.[55] The NRC repeatedly granted the industry permission to delay repairs and problems often grew worse
before they were fixed.[55][note 2]
However, a paper by Stanford University economics professors John B. Taylor and Frank A. Wolak compared
the financial services and nuclear industries. While acknowledging both are susceptible in principle to regulatory
capture, they concluded regulatory failure including through regulatory capture has been much more of a
problem in the financial industry and even suggested the financial industry create an analog to the Institute of
Nuclear Power Operations to reduce regulatory risk.[56]
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has strongly opposed the efforts of the 50 state attorneys
general, who have banded together to penalize banks and reform the mortgage modification process, following
the subprime mortgage crisis and the financial crisis of 2008. This example was cited in The New York Times as
evidence that the OCC is "a captive of the banks it is supposed to regulate".[57]
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evidently expected the FTC to act, which to date it did not. From a forensic accounting standpoint, there is no
difference between a Ponzi-scheme like the Madoff scandal, and a pyramid scheme, except that in the latter the
money is laundered through product sales, not investment.[77] The press has widely reported on why the FTC
won't act, e.g. Forbes[78] though legal opinion has been very supportive in some quarters, such as Prof. William
K. Black, who was instrumental in bringing thousands of criminal prosecutions in the S&L scandal, which was
also rife with problems of regulatory capture.[79]Rogier van Vlissingen 13:25, 27 July 2015 (UTC)
District of Columbia Taxicab Commission
The District of Columbia Taxicab Commission has been criticized[80] for being beholden to taxi companies and
drivers rather than ensuring that the District has access to a "safe, comfortable, efficient and affordable taxicab
experience in well-equipped vehicles".[81] In particular, the sedan service Uber has faced impediments from the
commission and the city council that have prevented it from competing with taxis.[82] Uber's plan to roll out a
less expensive service called UberX was called off after the city council proposed an amendment that would
force sedan services to charge at least five times the drop rate of taxis as well as higher time and distance
charges, explicitly to prevent Uber from competing with taxis.[83]
Washington State Liquor Control Board and I-502
Some commentators have acknowledged that while Washington State's Initiative I-502 "legalized" marijuana, it
did so in a manner that led to a State run monopoly on legal marijuana stores with prices far above that of the
existing medical dispensaries,[84] which the State is now trying to close down in favor of the recreational stores,
where prices are 2 to 5 times higher than the product can be obtained elsewhere.[85]
Canadian examples
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
In August 2009, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) provisionally
granted a request by Bell Canada to impose usage-based billing on Internet wholesalers, igniting protest from
both the wholesalers and consumers, who claimed that the CRTC was "kow-towing to Bell".[86]
On February 2, 2011, CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein testified before the House of Commons Standing
Committee on Industry, Science and Technology to defend the agency's decision. Critic Steve Anderson said,
"The CRTC's stubbornness in the face of a mass public outcry demonstrates the strength of the Big Telecom
lobby's influence. While government officials have recognized the need to protect citizens' communications
interests, the CRTC has made it clear that their priorities lie elsewhere."[87]
Japanese examples
In Japan, the line may be blurred between the goal of solving a problem and the somewhat different goal of
making it look as if the problem is being addressed.[88]
Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency
Despite warnings about its safety, Japanese regulators from the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency (NISA)
approved a 10-year extension for the oldest of the six reactors at Fukushima Daiichi just one month before a 9.0
magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami damaged reactors[89] and caused a meltdown. The conclusion to
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the Diet of Japan's report on Fukushima attributed this directly to regulatory capture.[90]
Nuclear opponent[91] Eisaku Sato, governor of Fukushima Prefecture from 19882006, said a conflict of interest
is responsible for NISA's lack of effectiveness as a watchdog.[89] The agency is under the Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry, which encourages the development of Japan's nuclear industry. Inadequate inspections are
reviewed by expert panels drawn primarily from academia and rarely challenge the agency.[89] Critics say the
main weakness in Japan's nuclear industry is weak oversight.[92] Seismologist Takashi Nakata said, "The
regulators just rubber-stamp the utilities' reports."[93]
Both the ministry and the agency have ties with nuclear plant operators, such as Tokyo Electric. Some former
ministry officials have been offered lucrative jobs in a practice called amakudari, "descent from heaven".[89][92]
A panel responsible for re-writing Japan's nuclear safety rules was dominated by experts and advisers from
utility companies, said seismology professor Katsuhiko Ishibashi who quit the panel in protest, saying it was
rigged and "unscientific".[92][93] The new guidelines, established in 2006, did not set stringent industry-wide
earthquake standards, rather nuclear plant operators were left to do their own inspections to ensure their plants
were compliant.[92] In 2008, the NISA found all of Japan's reactors to be in compliance with the new earthquake
guidelines.[92]
Yoshihiro Kinugasa helped write Japan's nuclear safety rules, later conducted inspections and still in another
position at another date, served on a licensing panel, signing off on inspections.[93]
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)
In 1996, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (now combined with the Ministry of Labour) came under fire over
the scandal of HIV-tainted blood being used to treat hemophiliacs.[94]
Although warned about HIV contamination of blood products imported from the U.S., the ministry abruptly
changed its position on heated and unheated blood products from the U.S., protecting the Green Cross and the
Japanese pharmaceutical industry, keeping the Japanese market from being inundated with heat-treated blood
from the United States.[94] Because the unheated blood was not taken off the market, 400 people died and over
3,000 people were infected with HIV.[94]
No senior officials were indicted and only one lower-level manager was indicted and convicted.[95] Critics say
the major task of the ministry is the protection of industry, rather than of the population.[94] In addition,
bureaucrats get amakudari jobs at related industries in their field upon retirement, a system which serves to
inhibit regulators.[94] Moriyo Kimura, a critic who works at MHLW, says the ministry does not look after the
interests of the public.[95]
International examples
World Trade Organization
The academic Thomas Alured Faunce has argued the World Trade Organisation non-violation nullification of
benefits claims, particularly when inserted in bilateral trade agreements, can facilitate intense lobbying by
industry which can result in effective regulatory capture of large areas of governmental policy.[96]
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Campaign finance
Concentrated benefits and diffuse costs
Corporate welfare
Crony capitalism
Iron triangle (US politics)
Occupational licensing
Political corruption
Regulatory capitalism
Rent seeking
Revolving door (politics)
Literature
100,000,000 Guinea Pigs, by Arthur Kallet and F.J. Schlink, first published in 1933
Other American groups promoting transparency
MAPLight.org, tracks money and politics in the U.S.
Sunlight Foundation, promotes government transparency and accountability
1. Pete Domenici, a former U.S. senator now promotes nuclear energy. Over the course of his 20 years in government,
he received $1.25 million in political contributions connected with the energy sector. From 2000 to 2010, the
nuclear industry and people who work in it, contributed $4.6 million to members of Congress, in addition to the $54
million spent by electric utilities, trade groups and other supporters to hire lobbyists, including some former
members of Congress. (See Eric Lichtblau, "Lobbyists' Long Effort to Revive Nuclear Industry Faces New Test"
(http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/25/us/25lobby.html) The New York Times (March 24, 2011)
2. According to the AP, of the United States' 104 operating nuclear power plants, 82 are over 25 years old, the NRC
has re-licensed 66 for an 20 additional years and another 16 renewal applications are under review.
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84. http://www.thenewstribune.com
/2014/11
/21/3501411_uncheckedpot-dispensaries-are.html?sp=
/99/447/&rh=1
85. Jake Ellison
(http://blog.seattlepi.com
/marijuana/2014/11
/05/washington-now-hasthe-worst-recreationalmarijuana-law/#14671101=0&
28162103=0)
86. "CRTC wants internet pricing
answers from Bell"
(http://www.cbc.ca
/news/technology/story/2009/08
/24/crtc-bell-internetdownloading.html) CBC News
(August 24, 2009). Retrieved
April 5, 2011
87. "CRTC Chair Defends UBB
Decision at Industry Committee
Meeting amidst Backlash"
(http://openmedia.ca
/news/openmediaca-crtcsstubbornness-adds-morefuel-public-discontent)
OpenMedia.ca (February 3,
2011). Retrieved April 4, 2011
88. Nakamura, Karen. "Resistance
and Co-optation: the Japanese
Federation of the Deaf and its
Relations with State Power,"
(http://ssjj.oxfordjournals.org
/content/5/1/17.full.pdf+html)
Social Science Japan Journal,
Vol. 5, No. 1 (April 2002), p 19
(PDF 3 of 20).
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ECONOMY
By JOE NOCERA
The piata sat alone at the witness table, facing the members of the House
subcommittee on financial institutions and consumer credit.
The Wednesday morning hearing was titled Oversight of the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau. The only witness was the piata, otherwise known as
Elizabeth Warren, the Harvard law professor hired last year by President Obama to
get the new bureau the only new agency created by the Dodd-Frank financial
reform law up and running. She may or may not be nominated by the president to
serve as its first director when it goes live in July, but in the here and now shes
clearly running the joint.
And thus the real purpose of the hearing: to allow the Republicans who now run
the House to box Ms. Warren about the ears. The big banks loathe Ms. Warren, who
has made a career out of pointing out all the ways they gouge financial consumers
and whose primary goal is to make such gouging more difficult. So, naturally, the
Republicans loathe her too. That she might someday run this bureau terrifies the
banks. So, naturally, it terrifies the Republicans.
The banks and their Congressional allies have another, more recent gripe.
Rather than waiting until July to start helping financial consumers, Ms. Warren has
been trying to help them now. Can you believe the nerve of that woman?
At the request of the states attorneys general, all 50 of whom have banded
together to investigate the mortgage servicing industry in the wake of the foreclosure
crisis, she has fed them ideas that have become part of a settlement proposal they are
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putting together. Recently, a 27-page outline of the settlement terms was given to
banks terms that included basic rules about how mortgage servicers must treat
defaulting homeowners, as well as a requirement that banks look to modify
mortgages before they begin foreclosure proceedings. The modifications would be
paid for with $20 billion or so in penalties that would be levied on the big banks.
Naturally, the banks hate these ideas, too. So the Republican members of the
subcommittee had another purpose as well: to use the hearing to serve as a
rear-guard action against the proposed settlement.
Under what statutory authority are you currently acting? demanded
Representative Patrick McHenry, a Republican from North Carolina, questioning the
legitimacy of her role in setting up the consumer bureau. He also questioned whether
the government had the right to impose a $20 billion penalty on the banks and
then use that money for (heaven forbid) mortgage modifications.
Spencer Bachus, Republican of Alabama, the new chairman of the Financial
Services Committee, wanted to know how closely Ms. Warren had been consulting
with the White House and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner about naming a
director for the bureau and whether she would accept a recess appointment
knowing the type of blowback from that. (A recess appointment is a temporary
appointment the president can make when the Senate is in recess, thus avoiding the
need for Senate confirmation.)
Representative Steve Pearce, Republican of New Mexico, said that he fully
expected the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be no better than the S.E.C.
and Mr. Madoff. Within two years, he added, your agency is going to be operating
exactly the same, that its simply out there grinding wheels away.
Representative Scott Garrett, Republican of New Jersey, zeroed in on the
proposed settlement. Where in the statute did she have the authority to consort with
the attorneys general? he demanded to know. Are you making recommendations to
government regulators about the dollar amount? he badgered. Is that part of your
role, to make recommendations about dollar amounts?
On and on it went, until the hearing sputtered to a close, two and a half hours
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To listen to the House Republicans, youd think the financial crisis of 2008 was
like that infamous season of the long-running soap opera Dallas, the one that
turned out to be a season-long dream. Subprime mortgages? Too-big-to-fail banks?
Unregulated derivatives? No problem! With the exception of their bte noire, Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac, the Republicans act as if nothing needs to be done to prevent
another crisis. Indeed, they act as if the crisis never happened.
The home page on the House Financial Services Committees Web site has been
turned into a screed against Dodd-Frank. Clearly, the committee is going to spend
this session trying to minimize the effect of the legislation, starving agencies of the
funds needed to enact the regulations mandated by the new law, for instance. In fact,
that effort has already begun.
Its not just the House Republicans either. Already the Office of the Comptroller
of the Currency has reverted to form, becoming once again a captive of the banks it is
supposed to regulate. (It has strenuously opposed the efforts of the A.G.s to penalize
the banks and reform the mortgage modification process, for instance.) The banks
themselves act as if they have a God-given right to the profit they made precrisis, and
owe the country nothing for the trouble theyve put us all through. The Justice
Department has essentially given up trying to make anyone accountable for the crisis.
Thank goodness, then, for the attorneys general and for Ms. Warren. On Main
Street, where the attorneys general operate, it is pretty obvious that problems persist.
During the subprime boom, many states tried to stop the worst lending abuses, only
to be blocked by federal banking regulators. Now that the country is dealing with the
aftermath of those abuses the rising tide of defaults and foreclosures it is the
attorneys general who are, once again, put in the position of trying to stamp out
abuses, this time of the foreclosure process itself.
Their leverage comes from the fact that the banks and their servicing divisions
have, in the words of the University of Minnesota law professor Prentiss Cox,
routinely violated basic legal process by, for instance, not transferring the note after
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the sale of a home. But in addition to assessing a financial penalty on the banks, the
A.G.s are trying to use the threat of litigation to force the banks to finally deal with
defaulting homeowners more fairly and humanely. That is the essence of the
settlement proposal that has been floating around. That and a big push to finally
come up with a modification plan that works.
When I spoke to Tom Miller, the Iowa attorney general and the leader in this
50-state effort he said that one reason he had asked Ms. Warren for advice was
that she had already hired people with genuine expertise that he wanted to take
advantage of. But thats not the only reason. If the banks were to agree to settle the
case on the A.G.s terms, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would be the
agency charged with enforcing the terms. So it makes sense to include its current
leadership as they work through ideas for a settlement. Besides, the A.G.s dont
really trust anybody else in the federal government to be on the side of financial
consumers. Given their previous experience, why would they? Ms. Warren is the one
person in Washington they feel is on the same side theyre on.
The notion that Ms. Warren lacks statutory authority to talk to the attorneys
general is an objection so silly it is hard to take seriously. Consulting with the only
government officials around who are actually trying to do something for financial
consumers is precisely what she ought to be doing. Given that her agency could wind
up enforcing the terms, its practically a necessity.
As for the idea the Republicans have been spreading talk that the attorneys
general are overstepping their bounds by trying to force reform and a big penalty
on the mortgage servicers, thats pretty silly, too. As Adam Levitin, a Georgetown law
professor, has pointed out on his blog recently, settlements are private agreements
between two parties. The banks can accept what the A.G.s are proposing. Or they
negotiate different terms. Or they can reject them outright, and go to court to fight
over the proper remedy. Its really not any different from the multistate tobacco
settlement of some years ago, which imposed some minor reforms on the tobacco
industry along with a giant financial penalty. Congress had nothing to do with it.
I wish I could say with certainty that the ideas put forth by the attorneys general
will finally help ease the foreclosure crisis. I hope they do. Mr. Levitin thought there
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was a decent likelihood of success; Mr. Cox, a former assistant attorney general
himself, was also hopeful though more skeptical. So much of it rides on how well it
is enforced, he said.
Which is also why Ms. Warren is the most logical person to be the agencys initial
director: if the settlement does come to pass, no one will understand its terms better,
or have a better feel for how to enforce them. Lets face it: there isnt anybody in
Washington more fearless about standing up to the big banks. No wonder they dont
like her.
As I listened to her on Wednesday, I was struck anew at how clearly she
articulates the need for the new bureau. If there had been a cop on the beat to hold
mortgage servicers accountable a half dozen years ago, she said at one point, the
problems in mortgage servicing would have been found early and fixed while they
were still small, long before they became a national scandal.
Senate Republicans have vowed to block her appointment if President Obama
nominates her. Yet even if her nomination goes down in flames, Senate confirmation
hearings would be clarifying. Americans would get to hear Ms. Warren explain why
the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has the potential to help Americans. And
they would get to hear Republicans explain why the status quo including the
everyday horror of the foreclosure mess is just fine.
It has been much noted in recent months that President Obama seems unwilling
to start a fight with Republicans. Maybe thats why he has shied away from
nominating Ms. Warren to a job for which she is so clearly suited. But if protecting
financial consumers and helping the millions of Americans struggling to hold onto
their homes isnt worth fighting for, then what is?
A version of this article appears in print on March 19, 2011, on page B1 of the New York edition with the
headline: An Advocate Who Scares Republicans.
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DR. ECON
September 2003
Yes and no. The Federal Reserve (the Fed) enjoys a unique
public/private structure that operates within the government, but
is still relatively independent of government to isolate the Fed from
day-to-day political pressures in ful lling its varying roles. As
stated in The Federal Reserve System Purposes & Functions:
History
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References
Dunne, Gerald T. A Christmas Present for the President: A Short
History of the Creation of the Federal Reserve System . Federal
Reserve Bank of St. Louis. 1984.
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Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System 2002 Annual
Report , pp.286-87.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/rptcongress/annual02
/default.htm
The Federal Reserve System in Brief, Federal Reserve Bank of San
Francisco, August2000
/publications/federalreserve/fedinbrief
The Federal Reserve System Purposes and Functions
Governors of the Federal Reserve System. 1994.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pf/pf.htm
. Board of
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/publications/federalreserve/annual/index.html