NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged six former executives of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) with securities fraud.

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - State attorneys general could be nearing a settlement with top U.S. banks over the foreclosure crisis, according to reports.

SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announced on Monday that his office has filed a lawsuit against a former financial giant that allegedly misreported values of mortgage-backed securities.

CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has rejected the city of Cleveland's attempt to use a public nuisance doctrine to pin liability on major investment banks for the foreclosure crisis in the city.

SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announced on Wednesday that he has joined state treasurer Ted Wheeler in filing a lawsuit against Countrywide Financial that says it misled investors into risky mortgage-backed securities.

BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Thursday that she has reached a $102 million settlement with a top investment company over alleged subprime loan violations.

HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said Monday a state investigation may follow the allegations made Friday by the Securities and Exchange Commission against Goldman Sachs.

MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell has announced a settlement with Countrywide Financial Corporation, now a part of Bank of America, to resolve claims by the state concerning the company's origination of home loans in past years.

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The nation's foreclosure crisis is worsening despite federal efforts to help Americans save their homes, a dozen state attorneys general said Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The White House on Monday plans to announce additional help for Americans having trouble making their home mortgage payments, something long called for by several state attorneys general.

BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Fremont General Corp. is paying $10 million to settle allegations brought by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that it gave out unfair home loans.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-A state lawmaker and Democratic candidate for California attorney general says he is trying to determine the role accountants had in the home lending crisis.

BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - An agreement announced Monday requires investment bank Goldman Sachs & Co. to pay $60 million to settle subprime lending claims brought by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- An idea that began in California as a grassroots appeal from beleaguered working-class homeowners has spurred national loan modification legislation and a new state foreclosure moratorium bill signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-More than $7 million will be available to Countrywide Financial Corp residential mortgage customers in Texas, the state attorney general said this week.

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-A group of state attorneys general is urging federal officials to push national banks and federal thrifts to modify home mortgage loans that are becoming unaffordable for struggling buyers.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) -- Tennessee's attorney general has announced Countrywide Financial Corp., the nation's largest independent mortgage lender and servicer, has agreed to settle claims of predatory lending.

TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) -- Eligible New Jersey homeowners will be able to use a new state-supported mortgage foreclosure mediation program aimed at helping homeowners remain in their homes.

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-A coalition of 22 state attorneys general asked Congress on Tuesday to loosen U.S. bankruptcy rules so judges can modify home loans to help reduce the tide of home foreclosures.

AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Wednesday said he is seeking legislation that would boost his statutory authority to help protect Texans from foreclosure rescue scams.