FHA Lenders Agree to Pay $26.7M To Settle False Certification Claims
November 2, 2018
Two FHA lenders entered into settlement agreements with the Department of Justice and the Department of Housing and Urban Development last week to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act in connection with FHA-insured mortgages. PrimeLending of Dallas and Universal American Mortgage Co. (UAMC) of Miami have agreed to pay a total of $26.7 million without admitting to any liability or wrongdoing. As part of an industry-wide inquiry, PrimeLending received a subpoena from the HUD inspector general for documents and other information related to its mortgage practices, including origination of FHA loans. On Aug. 20, 2014, the DOJ issued a civil investigative demand announcing an investigation of PrimeLending for potential FCA violations in connection with the origination and underwriting of FHA single-family loans. On Oct. 23, 2018, PrimeLending entered into a settlement and ...