Hapless Homeowner Scores Win As Lawyers Drop Legal Claims Against House In Probe Into Bid Rigging Of Baltimore Tax Lien Sale & Related Fee Gouging

In Baltimore, Maryland, Investigative Voice reports:

• Lawyers who admitted to gaming local tax lien auctions have dropped legal claims against the home of a city resident who has been fighting to keep it for nearly 12 years.

• Shortly after Investigative Voice revealed that DeLaurentis Reiff & Turer, a firm that is cooperating with federal authorities in their probe of rigged tax lien auctions, had filed claims against the home of Forest Park resident Reginald Lee related to a tax lien bought at auction, the firm notified Lee they are dropping their claim. The firm had been seeking $10,600 for legal fees and interest to redeem his property and avert foreclosure.

• The latest development marks an unexpected about-face for the firm that asked a Baltimore City circuit judge to compel Lee to pay $8,000 in fees, plus interest in excess of a $2,300 unpaid tax debt. The fee included photocopying, Internet searches, and even a telephone call to discuss the case.

• Documents reviewed by Investigative Voice showed that the firm had successfully won court orders compelling seven other city homeowners to pay nearly $30,000 in legal fees alone related to tax lien cases.

For more, see ABOUT FACE — Lawyers cooperating with feds dismiss claim against beleaguered city homeowner (Twelve-Year Battle Comes To Favorable End For Northwest Balto Resident Regonald Lee).