WHEELING -- An Ohio County woman and a Hancock County couple are suing over claims they were induced into loans through illegal means.
Maureen Diloreti and Lori A. and Michael A. Veltri, individually and on behalf of a class of persons, filed a lawsuit Feb. 13 in Ohio Circuit Court against Countrywide Home Loans Inc., Bank of America, N.A., Landsafe Appraisal Services Inc., Edward A. Dipino, doing business as Ed Dipino Appraisal Services, and Gregory J. Funari.
According to the complaint, Countrywide Home Loans communicated target appraisal values to its appraisers, Landsafe, Dipino and Funari, in order to originate loans, which constitutes predatory lending. Diloreti says she was a victim in 2005, and the Veltris in 2008, when their homes were both appraised at more than $20,000 their actual values. Bank of America is the successor in interest to Countrywide Home Loans.
The defendants are accused of civil conspiracy and joint venture, influencing appraisers, unconscionable inducement, violation of the Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act, negligence and negligence per se and illegal loans in excess of fair market value.
The plaintiffs are seeking actual and compensatory damages, plus costs.
They are being represented in the case by attorneys James G. Bordas Jr. and Jason E. Causey of Bordas & Bordas. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Ronald E. Wilson.
Ohio Circuit Court Case No. 14-C-42