Credit Suisse Faces $10 Billion Mortgage Fraud Suit
Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN) was ordered to face a $10 billion lawsuit by New Yorks attorney general accusing the Swiss bank of fraud in the sales of mortgage-backed securities before the 2008 financial crisis.
A New York State Supreme Court justice rejected the banks request to dismiss the case, a move that gives leverage to Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to demand internal bank documents and force a settlement. New York demonstrated the bank may have engaged in misconduct, Justice Marcy Friedman said in a Dec. 24 decision, allowing the suit to head toward trial.
In addition to forcing Zurich-based Credit Suisse to defend itself or settle, the ruling may strengthen Schneidermans hand in punishing other banks for bad behavior tied to the recession.
Elizabeth DeBold, a spokeswoman for Schneiderman, said the lawsuit is part of an effort to pursue accountability for those who contributed to the near collapse of our economy. Drew Benson, a spokesman for Credit Suisse, said yesterday in an e-mail that the bank will appeal the ruling.
more
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-25/credit-suisse-ordered-to-face-new-york-s-mortgage-fraud-claims.html