Four Suspects Arrested for Involvement in Multi-Million Dollar Mortgage Fraud Scheme

Four individuals suspected of a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme in Shelbyville, Tennessee, were arrested today, without incident, by special agents of the Knoxville Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Chattanooga Resident Agency and investigators with the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO). William Thomas McMahan, age 52, of Murfreesboro; Roger Dwight Ritch, age 52, of Shelbyville; Carrie Cameron Galvin Snow, age 40, of Murfreesboro; and Jonathan B. Henderson, age 39, of Murfreesboro were indicted by the federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Tennessee in Chattanooga and charged with one count of violating Title 18 United States Code Section 1344 and one count of violating Title 18 United States Code Section 1956. The indictment of a fifth defendant remains under seal. The indictments are the result of a 16-month joint investigation by the FBI, the BCSO, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Criminal Investigation Division.

The indictment alleges that the defendants devised a scheme to obtain financing under false pretenses for purchasers of residential properties developed by American Value Homes, a construction company owned by defendant Roger Ritch. The indictment further alleges that as part of the scheme, the defendants, doing business as Mortgage Processing Services and Value Title, prepared loan applications containing false information, misrepresented the down payment amount made by borrowers, and falsely represented the employment status and income of borrowers. The scheme involved sales of houses by American Value Homes totaling approximately $30 million. Foreclosures on the fraudulent loans have resulted in a loss to lenders totaling approximately $2.4 million.
Cuatro sospechosos detenidos por su participación en fraude hipotecario que envuelve varios millones de dólares

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Tennessee State Parks present Special Exhibits

By Eddie Rojas

Sycamore Shoals Annual Siege at Fort Watauga — May 15-16

It’s 1776 and the Colonies are in the throes of Revolution and the frontier is in a state of chaos. Cherokee are being armed by the British and
threaten to attack the settlements. Come see how the settlers of the Watauga Valley defended their lives, families, hearth and home at the “Siege at Fort Watauga.”

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park attracts more than 305,000 people every year. The 85-acre site sits on the banks of the Watauga River where the Overmountain Men assembled in 1780 before marching to defeat the British in the Battle of Kings Mountain, a turning point in the Revolutionary War. The park features interpretive exhibits, events, a fitness trail and picnic facilities. It is located off U.S. Highway 321 in Elizabethton. For more information about the “Siege” or other park activities, please call the park office at (423) 543-5808 or visit: www.tnstateparks.com/SycamoreShoals.

Frozen Head Volunteer Trail Day — May 16
Volunteers are asked to meet at Frozen Head’s visitor center at 9 a.m. and to bring a daypack with their own water and lunch.  Volunteers also should wear a good pair of hiking boots and appropriate clothing for weather conditions. Specific projects will be assigned and will focus on trail maintenance and repair. Some moderate hiking may be required and volunteers are expected to return by 3 p.m. if not sooner.

Frozen Head State Park is located in near Wartburg in Morgan County in the scenic Cumberland Mountains. The park contains undisturbed forest land, small streams and waterfalls, beautiful mountains and some of the richest wildflower areas in Tennessee. For more information about the Volunteer Trail Day or other events at the park, please call (423) 346-3318 or visit the park’s Web site at: www.tnstateparks.com/FrozenHead.

Tennessee’s 53 state parks offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families, or business and professional groups. State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses. For a free brochure about Tennessee State Parks, call toll free
1-888-867-2757. For additional information, visit our Web site at www.tnstateparks.com.

Back to Mundo Hispano Bilingual

ESTA USTED EN RIESGO DE PERDER SU CASA?

Ya habrá usted oído hablar de todos los problemas financieros y la depresión económica y recesión que está sucediendo en los Estados Unidos e incluso a nivel mundial. En primer lugar, muchos trabajos se han perdido, otros han recortado el número de horas de labor, la bolsa de valores sigue bajando, los bancos han ido a la quiebra conjuntamente con otras compañías y negocios. Y, en fin hay un sinnúmero de efectos negativos en la economía del país. Esta alteración en la economía se ha trasladado a una grave y profunda dificultad de los dueños de casa para poder pagar la mensualidad al banco, lo que comúnmente lo llamamos “mortage”.

Usted puede estar en el grupo de personas que cada vez se le hace más y más difícil hacer los pagos mensuales al banco, ya sea por la pérdida de trabajo, o por problemas de salud y se vió obligado a disminuir las horas de trabajo o porque le están subiendo las mensualidades para el pago de la casa, por divorcio o crisis familiar. Cualquiera que sea el motivo, el problema es que usted se siente en un túnel sin salida y ha pensado seriamente en dejar que el banco se lleve su casa. A esto lo llamamos comúnmente Ejecución Hipotecaria o “Foreclosure”

La Ejecución Hipotecaria o Foreclosure se produce cuando el dueño de la casa no puede hacer los pagos mensuales al banco. Este le manda un comunicado al dueño haciéndole saber que está en “falla de pago”. En términos prácticos, su banco no empezará el proceso de la Ejecución Hipotecaria hasta que no haya hecho 2-3 pagos. El proceso de la Ejecución Hipotecaria dura aproximadamente entre 5 a 6 meses. Al final de este tiempo, usted ya no tiene derecho de seguir viviendo en la casa. La pregunta es: Y ahora, que viene después?. Muchas personas piensan que todo terminó ahí y que por el hecho de que el banco se quedó con la casa, toda la cuenta está saldada y ya no hay deuda alguna.

Primeramente, el banco tiene derecho, por ley, de cobrarle el restante de lo que el banco perdió en la venta de una “Ejecución Hipotecaria” . Es decir, que si el banco llegó a perder unos $20mil dólares, éste puede llegar a tratar de cobrarle ese dinero. En Segundo lugar, su crédito queda tan arruinado que usted no puede volver a comprar otra casa en un período de aproximadamente 10 AÑOS. Es decir, aún cuando la economía mejore y su trabajo también mejore, usted va a estar a la merced de rentar. Otras implicaciones relacionadas con el crédito podrían también darse; como por ejemplo, muchas compañías le negarán crédito para la compra necesaria de artículos para su negocio o para la compra de un auto. Recuerde, aquí en los Estados Unidos tener un buen crédito es un factor muy importante para alcanzar sus metas deseadas

LA SOLUCION

Antes de que la situación llegue al punto de la “Ejecución Hipotecaria”, usted puede tomar ciertas medidas preventivas. Estas son las siguientes:

REFINANCIAMIENTO: Hay varios pasos que debe tomar antes del refinanciamiento. Si usted tiene tiempo, debe reparar su crédito. En Segundo lugar, tiene que calcular si su casa tiene plus valía (equity) para beneficiarse del refinanciamiento. Si su crédito está en buen estado y su casa tiene plus valía, usted probablemente no tiene problemas de mantener o reducir sus pagos después del refinanciamiento. Que bueno! Ahora usted puede dormir en paz.

Sin embargo, si usted ha tratado de refinanciar pero los bancos o las compañías de préstamos (mortgage companies) no le han podido refinanciar su casa, he aquí otras posibles soluciones.

TOLERANCIA POR INCUMPLIMIENTO (Forebearance agreement). Esta solución es únicamente TEMPORAL. Es decir, el banco le acepta un pago reducido por un tiempo determinado solamente hasta que mejore su situación económica. Luego de este tiempo, usted vuelve a hacer los pagos anteriores MAS intereses que se han ido acumulando durante el período de perdón.

MODIFICACION DEL PRESTAMO (loan modification). Para poder calificar para esta opción usted tiene que tener un buen crédito y estar solamente atrazado en los pagos de 30-120 días. Además, sus ingresos deben calificar para esta modificación. En esta categoría, su banco podría modificar su préstamo al reducir los intereses, extender el periodo del interés fijo en su préstamo variable, cambiar completamente su préstamo variable a préstamo fijo o reducir el pago al extender el período de amortización.

ALIVIO HIPOTECARIO (Mortgage Relief): Si ninguna de las opciones anteriormente mencionadas han dado resultado, usted puede llamar a su banco para que le extiendan el período en el cual le da tiempo para poder vender su casa.

VENTA REDUCIDA (Short Sale). Muchos bancos alargan el proceso para darle una oportunidad al dueño de poder vender la casa y librarse así de la Ejecución Hipotecaria. En la Venta Reducida, el banco acepta un pago menor de lo que realmente se debe y así se quitan de los libros de finanzas. En la mayoría de los casos, cuando el vendedor ve que la Ejecución Hipotecaria es inevitable puesto que se han agotado todos los otros medios y no se ha logrado nada, la Venta Reducida es la mejor opción ya que su crédito no queda tan arruinado como en una Ejecución Hipotecaria.

Aviso.- Para poder entender completamente las consecuencias legales y de impuestos que podría enfrentarse en un foreclosure, shortsale o deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, se le recomienda que busque consejería profesional sobre los impuestos y acciones legales con profesionales en estas áreas de trabajo con experiencia en estos casos.

Zoraida Ballew, Broker

Rocky Top Realty Inc.

Cellular: 865-748-9896

Oficina: 865-688-4663

Correo electrónico: zoeballew@yahoo.com

Consumer Affairs Warns of Price Gouging

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (January 30, 2009)– Consumers expressed concerns about surges in kerosene prices at retail outlets as a consequence of high demand for the fuel in the wake of the harsh winter weather in parts of Kentucky and Tennessee.

Tennessee Consumer Affairs Director Mary Clement warned public about possible abuse, “Retail outlets that unreasonably or excessively raise the price of commodities during an emergency or crisis in order to take advantage of consumers are price gouging, which is illegal,” she said.

On Tuesday, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency activated the state emergency operations center to prepare for and respond to the ice storm. Hit by large power outages, Kentucky residents have been driving into Tennessee to get fuel and kerosene.

The Division of Consumer Affairs warns consumers to be on the lookout for potential price gougers. Consumers may contact the Division of Consumer Affairs at 615-741-4737 or toll free at 800-342-8385 to report incidences of suspected price gouging. Consumers will need to provide the name of the business, address and the price of the product being sold.

Consumers are encouraged to send copies of receipts showing the cost of the purchase.  One good way to report activity is by a taking cell phone or digital pictures of the pump prices or price signs and e-mailing them to www.consumer.affairs@tn.gov. “This can help tremendously in investigating and following through with claims of price gouging,” Clement said.

ETSU Open House: Learn How ETSU Fits Into Your Future

Family budgets are tightening.  College tuition is rising… It’s time to take a closer look at East Tennessee State’s education value.  On Thursday, February 12th, at The Mall at Johnson City, come meet many of our university’s representatives at our ‘ETSU Loves You—Student Fair.’ Talk to Admissions and Financial Aid counselors to learn how to navigate through the paperwork.  Find out more about career majors ETSU offers to help build your future, and get a real feel for campus living, activities, Greek Life, housing and more!  Our ‘ETSU Loves You—Student Fair’ will save you time, save you gas, and save you some sleepless nights.  ETSU equals quality and value!  So come on out and ask the people with the answers.  Learn more about ‘ETSU and You’ on February 12th at The Mall at Johnson City from 11 to 5.

Statement from the Mayor Dean on English-only

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mayor Karl Dean released this statement today in response to the results from the special election on two amendments to the Metro Charter:

“This is a great night for Nashville. The results of this special election reaffirm Nashville’s identity as a welcoming and friendly city, and our ability to come together as a community – from all walks of life and perspectives – to work together for a common cause for the good of our city. That diversity and that shared desire to see our city succeed and progress is part of what makes Nashville so great and the exact reason why this amendment does not represent the city that we are. I can tell you it a true honor and privilege to serve as mayor of this city.

“We are able to celebrate this evening because so many individuals and organizations have devoted their time and resources over the last several weeks to this effort. Thank you to Tom Negri and Loews for hosting us tonight. Thank you to everyone at Nashville for All of Us. Thank you to the many volunteers that spent hours making calls and knocking on doors – it is the individual people in a campaign that mobilize voters. Thank you to the donors, the businesses and the individuals, for making it possible to get the message of this campaign out to the broader public. Thank you to the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce for vocally supporting this campaign, and the many other nonprofits and interest groups that rallied their constituents and united behind this cause. Thank you to the coalitions of university presidents and faith-based leaders for speaking out with one voice. Thank you to the Metro Council for overwhelmingly supporting the memorializing resolution on this. Thank you to Governor Bredesen for getting involved when he didn’t have to. His comment to me was “We can’t go back.” And I want to personally thank Jim Hester, a senior advisor in my administration who took a personal leave of absence from his work to ensure this campaign’s success.

“From here, we continue to move forward as a city, and we do so with no barriers in our way.”

Declaración del Alcalde Dean acerca de ‘Solo-Ingles’

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – El alcalde Karl Dean publicó hoy esta declaración en respuesta a los resultados de la elección especial sobre dos enmiendas a la Constitución del gobierno Metropolitano:

“Esta es una gran noche para Nashville. Los resultados de esta elección especial reafirmar la identidad de Nashville como una ciudad acogedora y amigable y nuestra capacidad para unirnos como una comunidad – de todas las ocupaciones, profesiones, clases sociales y perspectivas – de trabajar juntos por una causa común por el bien de nuestra ciudad. Esa diversidad, y ese deseo compartido de que nuestra ciudad tenga éxito y progrese es parte de lo que hace tan grande a Nashville y es exactamente la razón por la que esta enmienda no representa la ciudad que somos. Puedo decirles que es un verdadero honor y un privilegio servir como alcalde de esta ciudad.

“Somos capaces de celebrar esta tarde, porque muchas personas y organizaciones han dedicado su tiempo y recursos  a este esfuerzo a lo largo de las últimas semanas. Gracias a Tom Negri y Loews por ser el anfitrión esta noche. Gracias a todos en ‘Nashville Para Todos Nosotros’. Gracias a los muchos voluntarios que pasaron horas haciendo llamadas y tocando puertas – los los individuos en una campaña los que movilizan a los votantes. Gracias a los donantes,  empresas y personas, por hacer posible que el mensaje de esta campaña llegue a un público más amplio. Gracias a la Cámara de Comercio del Área de Nashville por apoyar esta campaña vocalmente y las muchas otras organizaciones sin fines de lucro y grupos de interés que reunieron a su gente y se unieron a esta causa. Gracias a las coaliciones de presidentes de las universidades y de dirigentes religiosos por hablar con una sola voz. Gracias al Consejo Metropolitano por el apoyo abrumador. Gracias a Gobernador Bredesen por participar, cuando no tenía que hacerlo. Su comentario fue para mí, “No podemos retroceder. “Y quiero agradecer personalmente a Jim Hester, un importante asesor en mi administración que tomó un permiso de ausencia de su trabajo para garantizar el éxito de esta campaña.

“Desde aquí, continuamos avanzando como ciudad, y lo hacemos sin obstáculos en nuestro camino.”

Westwood Elementary breaks barriers reaching Hispanics students and their families

MANCHESTER, Tenn. — Jan. 23, 2009 — In 2004, Westwood Elementary in Manchester, Tenn. received a 21st Century Community Learning Center (CLC) grant to support ELL students and their families, and to foster a positive and connected home-school relationship. The CLC offers programs and opportunities for students to achieve academic success, and for their parents to increase their English language skills and promote school readiness for preschoolers.

“We wrote the grant because we knew we needed to find a way to make our school more accessible to members of our Hispanic community,” said Principal Sandra Morris. “Many parents didn’t feel welcome and were reluctant to engage in activities at school. We wanted to bridge that gap. I would say parent involvement has gone up 400 percent in four years.”

The grant provided funds for a CLC director and interpreter, and a van to provide transportation. In a survey at the center, many parents indicated they wanted to learn English so they could help their children. So, the CLC arranged for Fast ForWord, a family of educational software products designed to accelerate learning by training the brain to process more efficiently, and English classes to be provided for parents.

Parents work on the 100-minute Fast ForWord protocol and then attend English classes. The center offers two levels, beginner and advanced; each meets two mornings weekly.

“It’s not uncommon for parents who work the night shift to bring their children to school and then go to the Fast ForWord lab to do their 100-minute program,” said Morris. “They are very dedicated. Plus, students are so pleased with their parents’ efforts to learn English, which benefits the entire family.”

At the end of each school year, the center holds a Parent Celebration, where plaques and certificates are awarded for parents’ achievements, including the completion of levels in the Fast ForWord program.

In addition to the Fast ForWord program and English classes, the CLC offers several other programs to help parents and students. For example, through the “Circle of Friends” program, junior high and high school students volunteer their time to work with K-6 ELL students at the CLC one day a week after school for reading practice, skill review, homework help or paired reading.

Westwood Elementary also has its own one-on-one tutoring program for ELL students. When teachers identify an ELL student who needs extra help, that student is paired with a high school student who provides skill-specific tutoring one afternoon a week during the school day.

Westwood has seen many positive changes among ELL students and parents, including:
* An expanded English vocabulary
* Improved student attendance
* Increased parent involvement in school activities
* A rise in self-esteem
* Increased reading at home

“We are now a successful school academically,” said Morris. “We are a school that makes AYP. We make all ‘A’s’ in our Academic Achievement and Value Added grades.”

“Parents are so much more comfortable and confident coming into the school building,” continued Morris. “Plus, the younger children who regularly attend our Community Learning Center are more prepared for preschool and adjust well to their classes. One of the neatest things I’ve experienced is watching the expressions on the faces of children who come to the Fast ForWord lab with their parents. They are so proud.”

About Westwood Elementary School
Due to its record of achievement, rigorous curriculum and activities offered to students, Westwood has been recognized twice as a National Title I Distinguished School, and twice as a Tennessee Title I Distinguished School.

About Scientific Learning Corporation
Scientific Learning creates educational software that accelerates learning by improving the processing efficiency of the brain. The patented Fast ForWord® family of products provides struggling readers with computer-delivered interventions and intensive exercises that build the cognitive skills required to read and learn effectively. Based on more than 30 years of neuroscience and cognitive research, the Fast ForWord products apply patented technology and validated neuroscience principles of brain plasticity to help children, adolescents, and adults improve processing efficiency and achieve enduring gains. The efficacy of the products and the science behind them has been confirmed by more than 425 research studies and publications. For more information, visit www.scientificlearning.com and www.brainconnection.com, or call toll-free 888-452-7323.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor created by the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include the intention of certain shareholders to offer and sell common stock. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially as a result of many factors, including but not limited to the risk that the underwriters or selling stockholders decide to not proceed with or consummate the proposed offering due to general economic conditions, stock market conditions, or otherwise.

Nashville Spoke up on Charter ammends proposal

Thank you Nashville for speaking up!!

The Mayor, city council members, business leaders, labor organizers, faith leaders,  presidents of 9 universities, civil rights activists, immigrant and refugee leaders from every community, all came together to speak up for a friendly and welcoming Nashville. We are proud to be part of the strongest, most diverse coalition in our city’s history.

Nashville for All of Us

Thank you to everyone who worked so hard on this campaign. TIRRC leaders spent months mobilizing the immigrant and refugee community, knocking on doors, making phone calls, presenting at community meetings, speaking at faith services. Over 15,000 New Americans were contacted during this public education and Get Out the Vote effort, and the immigrant vote made the difference.

“A special thanks to new Americans. Thank you, not only for voting against this amendment, but for being here.”

~Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, last night’s victory speech~

Bredesen Habla sobre el voto en Nashville

DECLARACIÓN DE GOBERNADOR PHIL BREDESEN SOBRE EL VOTO DE RECHAZO A LA ENMIENDA ‘SOLO INGLÉS EN Nashville / Davidson Co.

“Los votantes de Nashville han expresado su opinión en las urnas y hablaron en voz alta en apoyo a impulsar a Nashville  hacia adelante en áreas importantes como la contratación de nuevos negocios y el desarrollo turístico. Cuando Andrea y yo llegamos a Nashville como una pareja de jóvenes, encontramos una comunidad abierta y hospitalaria que nos hizo sentir como en casa. Nashville ha afirmado que sigue siendo ese tipo de lugar “.

English

STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR PHIL BREDESEN

ON REJECTION OF “ENGLISH-ONLY” AMENDMENT VOTE IN NASHVILLE / DAVIDSON COUNTY

“Nashville voters have voiced their opinion at the polls and spoke loudly in support of moving Nashville forward in important areas like new business recruiting and tourist development. When Andrea and I came to Nashville as a young couple, we found an open and accepting community that made us feel at home. Nashville has affirmed it is still that kind of place.”

Metro Human Relations Commission opposes effort to amend Metro Charter to designate English as the official language of Metropolitan Government

NASHVILLE, TN. ( January 13, 2009 )- The members of the Metro Human Relations Commission  have reiterated their opposition  to ongoing efforts to amend the Metro Charter to designate English as the official language of Metropolitan Government which has the potential to disenfranchise thousands of Nashvillians.   “While the proposed charter amendment may appear innocent at first blush, Metro government’s inability to constructively dialogue with its constituents in languages other than English would undermine longstanding efforts to create an inclusive community where all can contribute,” said Kelvin Jones, Executive Director of the Commission. 

 

The 16 member Commission, all appointed by the Mayor, confirmed by the Metropolitan Council  and  representative of a broad cross section of the Nashville Community,  is tasked with the responsibility to provide community-wide education to reduce discrimination in employment, housing, financial services and public accommodations as well as to assist efforts to promote respect for diversity, encourage improved race relations and address issues of community concern.

 

“ The effort to amend the Metro Charter to designate English as the official language of Metropolitan Government is a wedge issue which has the ability to jeopardize Nashville’s place as one of the country’s most desirable communities in which to live,  work and play.  This effort is divisive, creating an “us” and a “them”  and creates a mean and intolerant image  which is not reflective of the great city Nashville truly is; we are much better than this,” according to Jones.   

 

 “The Metro Human Relations Commission is committed to working with community leaders and stakeholders who are likewise invested in creating and protecting “One City for All People” .