McGraw names former Marine to serve on Save Our Homes project

CHARLESTON – A former Marine has been chosen by Attorney General Darrell McGraw to serve as the mortgage-foreclosure settlement liaison for the Project: Save Our Homes taskforce.

Save Our Homes, which was established in February, is one of the Attorney General's Office's newest programs.

McGraw announced his decision on March 5 to choose Charleston's Ryan Williams because of his dedication to the protection of West Virginia's citizens.

"Providing good jobs for returning veterans as they re-enter society after their tours of duty is an important policy," McGraw said in a release. "It's imperative that we thank them for their vital service to our country."

Williams, who was deployed in Iraq for two years with the U.S. Marine Corps, will help the state's struggling homeowners with foreclosure relief and loan modification options, assist with benefit applications and track the progress of consumers' claims under last month's landmark mortgage-foreclosure settlement with five major banks.

"It's a blessing and an honor to be afforded this opportunity to serve the people of West Virginia," Williams said in an Attorney General's Office press release. "I look forward to assisting Attorney General McGraw in his efforts to right the people of this state."

The Save Our Homes initiative was established in response to February's landmark $25 billion settlement with Chase Bank, Wells Fargo, Citibank, Bank of America and GMAC/Ally to resolve claims of foreclosure and mortgage servicing abuses.

The settlement secured $33.8 million in relief for West Virginia homeowners.

Through the program, advocates from the Consumer Protection Division will offer personal assistance to homeowners in obtaining financial relief under the foreclosure settlement and help them stay in their homes.

"Protecting the families and homes of the great people of West Virginia is a priority that the Attorney General's office shares with Mr. Williams," McGraw said. "His dedicated approach as a consumer advocate will be a big plus for our foreclosure settlement team and the homeowners he will help."

Williams is a former squad leader with the Marine Corps who was honorably discharged last year. He is a graduate of Sherman High School in Seth and earned a degree from World Harvest Bible College in Columbus, Ohio. He is currently studying paralegal law at Kanawha Valley College and lives in Charleston.

When contacted for this story, Williams declined further comment, saying he had been instructed not to speak to the media about it.

For more information on Project: Save Our Homes, visit wvago.gov.