Elderly Couple Says “No Way” To A Bank Of America Modification Stratagem

The long and heartbreaking tale of the elderly couple, Mrs. Ronni Mandell and her husband George of West Haven, Ct continues. They have been fighting for over 18 months to secure a modification. Through many twists and turns they did not get results until recently, when they had friends post press releases online that accurately documented their dealings with Bank of America, which did result in two recent offers for a substantial modification but only if they sign away their First Amendment Rights. That being, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and most importantly, their freedom for legal representation should they ever need it. The press releases were a way to produce dialog between them and Bank of America with hopes of an offer. They received two separate offers and they would have taken advantage of the most recent offer but the carefully written “Rights Waiver” was still in play

The offers, no matter how good they looked, they were not worth them signing their rights away forever more, so they declined both offers. They didn’t want to become Uncle Tom’s to Simon Lagree (Bank of America), for that matter, who would?

Just after they refused the second offer made by Mr. Mark Bragg, SVP of Bank of America on July 21, 2012 and on July 25, 2012, they received a letter from a rather large, high-priced corporate, mega-law firm that has probably been enlisted to silence their voices forever, no matter what it takes. The attorney representing Bank of America is Pierre-Yves Kolakowski of Zeichner Ellman & Krause LLP located in Greenwich, Ct. Early this morning, August 1, 2012, Mr. Mandell received another friendly but certainly intimidating letter from Bank of America’s law firm. This matter, as far as the Mandells are concerned, has been elevated to a strong-arm attempt to silence them and it has become a very personal attack on them as they are being singled out as an example for others to see what happens when you cross the Wall Street Bankers. It is quite possible that Bank of America is working with major players in the government to get rid of them so it presents no problem for their re-election bids. Neither Ronni or George blames the attorney or his law firm for this absurd show of force in any way as they are just following orders from Bank of America, that likes to not only defeat people but leave them crushed, financially disabled and humiliated.Just by speaking to Mrs. Mandell, I can tell that she feels personally threatened by this over-the-top assault by the errant financial giant that definitely needs to be reigned in by the government before people are injured not only mentally but physically. There are no boundaries to their power at this present time and homeowners should be aware of this. She honestly feels they are capable of anything, but she realizes that the government is owned by the big banks and there is, as of now, nothing being done to curb them but the people in the country are all aware of the tomfoolery going on and they will keep demanding the politicians to finally do their job and protect the people from them.

The Mandell’s did say, however, that Mr. Bragg was courteous and helpful but evidently just carrying out the deeds laid out for him by his employer. “His demeanor was refreshing,” is the way the Mandell’s characterized Mr. Bragg. He just doesn’t fit the character model exhibited by most Bank of America employees and executives and when he told the Mandells that he’s been with the bank for only 3 to 4 months, they understood why he was different and they pray that he doesn’t morph into one of them.

Here we have a nation that is rightfully in mourning over the massacre in Aurora, Colorado and all Bank of America is concerned about is carrying out their own form of a massacre with more subtle weapons (financial instruments and contracts) with the purpose of destroying and ripping the hearts out of two taxpaying elderly citizens who are simply looking to keep their home. All the Mandells have ever wanted was to have the opportunity to get a good principle reduction offer, which they thought they had until it was discovered that it came with big strings attached and this indicated to them that Bank of America was just being insincere and insidious as usual. The Mandells will be married 40 years come this upcoming February 2013 and they would like to celebrate it at their home in West Haven, Ct. with friends and family but it appears Bank of America has other intentions.

The Mandells, are just a few of hundreds of thousands of homeowners, taxpayers and citizens that dislike Bank of America and who have posted many thousands of comments about them, many of which they’ve earned, so why target the Mandells to become the poster children to illustrate to others what happens when you cross your so-called, wannabe masters?

When, if at all, will Bank of America be sincere and truthful about a modification offer instead of using legal trickery, your guess is as good as the Mandells?

Regardless of the outcome, good or bad, the Mandell’s have pledged that they “We’ll Be Watching You” closely and writing about your stumbles and misdeeds to remind the public of just how bad you were, you are now and what you are capable of. You can change all that by becoming more concerned about the customer’s needs, capabilities, start lending to businesses, modifying mortgages to keep people in their homes and changing your business model of customer service so that it earns the respect and confidence most Americans. By doing all of this, you will then be worthy and entitled to use “America “ in your name. The Mandells have never been people that are just for themselves, they never have to be asked to help, they jump right in and that’s the kind of bank you and everyone else could be proud of. What do you think?

The Mandells are angry that Bank of America was obviously trying to gain an advantage over them with the rights waiver so that any and all future sinister acts by the servicer could be put into motion without opposition or resistance including terminating the modification at any time they feel to do so. The waiver was clearly one-sided and was beneficial to only Bank of America.

The Mandells thought Bank of America was originally sincere in every respect but they were wrong and and now if Bank of America wishes to return to the table with a very serious, sincere and much better “Mea culpa,” offer to offset this most recent, unnecessary show of legal force to needlessly scare and intimidate these elderly borrowers, then the Mandells will be ready to listen to Mr. Mark Bragg only.

See link to a petition below to: “Stop Bank of America from Requiring Borrowers to Sign Away Their Rights.” Please sign it to ask this practice to be stopped.

http://bankofamericaslavecontract.weebly.com/Prepared by John Reid

Media Contact:

Ms. Amelia Sayers-Neighborhood Group Representative

(203) 934-0616

Rick Simon

(800) 796.8448

rick.simon@bankofamerica.com