‘Foreclosure mill’ that mocked the homeless

By musiclover - Tue Nov 22, 3:50 pm

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The New York law firm specializing in foreclosures that stirred ire for a Halloween party that mocked the homeless is now shutting its doors.

Steven J. Baum P.C., one of the largest-volume mortgage foreclosure firms in the state, filed mass layoff notices with the Department of Labor today.

It also indicated that at least a third of its employees would lose their jobs.

Today, spokesman Earl Wells III confirmed the firm would close altogether.

The firm is considered a ‘foreclosure mill,’ meaning that it represents major banks that are in the process of foreclosing peoples homes because they have not been able to meet their mortgage payments.

While it had been on the radar of federal and state investigators for some time, the Baum firm became the subject of controversy last month when The New York Times published photos from its 2010 Halloween party.

The pictures showed people dressed to look homeless and part of the office decorated to resemble a row of foreclosed homes.

One person had a sign around her neck that read: ’3rd party squatter. I lost my home and I was never served,’ apparently mocking the explanation of some homeowners facing foreclosure proceedings.

The Times said the pictures were provided by a former employee.

About three dozen protesters from the Occupy Buffalo movement against corporate greed picketed outside Baum’s offices last week.