Baum Foreclosure Firm to Close After Fannie and Freddie Pull Files, Plans Mass Layoffs

Baum Firms employees idea of great Halloween costumes, now out on the streets themselves.

Posted Nov 21, 2011 12:40 PM CST
By Martha Neil

Bad judgment about Halloween costumes worn last year by some employees of the Steven J. Baum law firm has come back to haunt New York's largest mortgage foreclosure practice.

After recent news reports that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (as well as some major loan servicers) have pulled their business in the aftermath of the costume controversy, the Baum firm has now announced that it is closing, Bloomberg reports.

Mass layoffs are expected. A notice filed by the firm with the New York State Department of Labor says jobs will be cut within 30 days, WIVB reports.

In addition to the problematic costumes, which were criticized as poking fun at individuals losing their homes, the firm last month agreed to pay $2 million to resolve a probe of its foreclosure practices.
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