Class Sues Title Firm Over Mortgage Releases

CLAYTON, Mo. (CN) - A class action claims Integrity Land Title Co. charges for services it does not perform.

Lead plaintiff Vivian Hayes says Integrity charges fees for filing releases of mortgages that are satisfied with proceeds derived from real estate closings.

"The releases are supposed to be filed with the city or county in which the real property is located," the complaint states. "In most instances, however, Integrity does not file the releases and simply retains the money as ill-gotten profit."

The class consists of anybody who was charged fees by Integrity in a real estate transaction in Missouri from April 2001 to the time notice was given to class members, who were charged for a release of their mortgage and on whose behalf Integrity did not record the release.

The class is wants Integrity enjoined from charging such fees, disgorgement and damages. The class is represented by Kevin Wilkins with Holland, Groves, Schneller in St. Louis.

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