Press Releases

Steve Archambault, Democratic Candidate for Attorney General, today unveiled a six point plan to combat mortgage fraud and protect Rhode Island consumers. In 2008, Rhode Island led the nation in mortgage fraud according to the Mortgage Asset Research Institute (M.ARI) and in today's tough credit market which provides fertile soil for scam artists, the problem may be even worse. Archambault also targeted current banking practices that have contributed to historically low home values, causing real financial pain for so many Rhode Islanders and hurting our economy.

Steve Archambault said, "Current banking practices must change now. Home foreclosures, devaluation of property values and the unavailability of credit will continue as a result of market manipulation and fraud if banking laws and regulation remain unchanged and violations go without prosecution."

"As Attorney General, I will aggressively go after mortgage fraud and other practices that hurt homeowners and I will seek the legal changes needed to be most effective," Archambault added.

Archambault noted that the recent formation of a Rhode Island Mortgage Fraud Task Force to be led by US Attorney Peter Neronha and Attorney General Patrick Lynch was a step in the right direction and he would certainly continue it as Attorney General. But that changes in current laws and regulations were needed to provide maximum impact.

The components of Archambault's plan are summarized below:

Six Point Plan

1) Close the "net branch" loophole: Currently, mortgage brokers and loan officers as well as former owners of former broker operations can avoid criminal background checks and license requirements by signing a "net branch" agreement to work as a sub-contractor to a major bank or mortgage company. It is time to close this loophole that lets shady operators continue in business. To fix this loophole, all loan officers and mortgage brokers must be subject to a criminal background check and comply with all other requirements. I will seek state legislation to make this needed change.

2) Impose requirements for brokers, lenders and underwriters to sign-off on all loan applications and approvals and strengthen state penalties on those that supply false pay documents or encourage applicants to exaggerate their income: The all too common practice of failing to verify income and encouraging applicants to lie about their income and thereby qualify for a mortgage they can't afford must be stopped. We need stronger penalties. Mortgage fraud must be made a felony punishable with jail time. Broker, lender and underwriter negligence must be met with a loss of license. I will seek state legislation to accomplish these goals.

3). Require licenses for all people with signing authority for loans The people within mortgage companies and banks that do final sign-off on loans are currently not required to be licensed and tested on their knowledge and competency. As a result, this final safety check can be compromised. I will seek legislation requiring licenses that include competency testing for all people with authority to approve a loan.

4) Set uniform appraisal standards and require reviewers at Appraisal Management Companies to be certified appraisers. Problems of the past were created (i part) by overstated property values, which created market risk for both the buyer and lender. Currently the problem is market manipulation to promote lower home property valuation, which is directly depressing the housing market. There needs to be a uniform set of appraisal standards and tougher licensing requirements for appraisers. Appraisers that work in Rhode Island must be required to show sufficient familiarity with the marketplace in order to opine on an appraisal. In addition, the reviewers at the Appraisal Management Companies that now control most of the appraisal market do not currently need to be certified appraisers. We must require that they too be certified. I will seek legislation requiring the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation to put forward these standards and hold appraisers accountable for their opinions.

5) Convene a Special Grand Jury specifically charged with examining mortgage fraud. We know that Rhode Island has one of the worst mortgage fraud problems in the country, yet there have been very few people prosecuted for it As Attorney General, I will launch a thorough investigation and convene a special grand jury to review the evidence. I will look at the role of mortgage companies, banks and closing attorneys in facilitating this costly and illegal practice and prosecute.

6) Establish a state-wide mortgage loan data base in order to better pinpoint potential cases of fraud A database that includes all mortgage loans issued in the State of Rhode Island and lists all the parties involved in the loan including brokers, lenders and appraisers will enable oversight to see if patterns emerge that indicate possible fraud and bad lending practices. This data base can help provide an early warning system for problems. Lenders would be required to report any payment defaults or foreclosures. Companies with high percentages of defaults or foreclosures would be audited to see if there are negligent or fraudulent practices at work.

Background on Archambault

Archambault, who serves as a Councilman in Smithfield , would bring a broad legal background to the Attorney General's office. His experience as a police officer, local Prosecutor and defense Attorney gives him a first-hand understanding of all the elements of the criminal justice system.

To learn more about Steve Archambault and how he will serve the people of Rhode Island as our next Attorney General, visit www.archambaultforattorneygeneral.com.

July 14, 2010

ARCHAMBAULT OUTLINES PRIORITY ISSUES AT KICK-OFF OF TWO DAY STATE CAMPAIGN SWING

Steve Archambault, Democratic candidate, for Attorney General, today outlined his major themes and priority issues at the kick-off of a two day state campaign swing.  Archambault made his remarks in front of District Court in Providence where he regularly prosecutes cases serving as the Lincoln Town Prosecutor.  The two day campaign swing  includes stops in North Providence,  Pawtucket ,Cumberland , Johnston, East Providence, Warwick , Westerly , Jamestown,  East Greenwich , Cranston and South Kingstown , along with an interview Friday morning on Channel 10 News Conference. It marks the beginning of the primary stretch run. There are now about two months to go until primary day.

Archambault noted that he is running for Attorney General because Rhode Islanders need someone in the state’s top law enforcement job who is on their side—working every day to fight crime, take on political corruption and stand up for financially-squeezed Rhode Island consumers   “As a lifelong Rhode Islander who grew up on small diary farm, I know first-hand what’s important to working and middle class Rhode Islanders. As Attorney General, I will keep that in mind every day as I work for you,” Archambault added.

 The candidate went on to say, “As the only in the trenches prosecutor of the Democratic Primary candidates and as former police officer, I know how to get the job done. I will prosecute the criminals that threaten our safety and keep our streets safe.”

 Pointing to his 4 point plan to reduce drunken driving, Archambault said, “I will bring new emphasis to the problem of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. We must step up our efforts to combat this serious problem. Archambault’s plan  makes it a felony punishable up to four years in prison for driving under the influence with a child 15 or under in the car and requires the use of an interlock devise to be installed after a first offense where  blood alcohol content is .15 or above and for all second offenses, among other provisions.

 He also pledged to stand-up for Rhode Island consumers   Archambault said.  “If health insurers, mortgage companies, utility companies or big hospital systems step over the line, I’ll be there to keep them in check.”  

He placed special emphasis on strongly opposing rate hikes by Blue Cross and other Health Insurers, calling once again for a tougher and more thorough examination of administrative expenses including top executive salaries.   “As Attorney General, I will insist on full public hearings for all proposed rate hikes and use the seat at the table that the Attorney General’s office is given in this process to bring tough new scrutiny to all expenditures,” Archambault continued.

Archambault, who has spoken out consistently on public corruption, noted that the next Attorney General must bring a new approach aimed at ending business as usual. He said, “I will work closely and cooperatively with the US Attorney, FBI, state police and other law enforcement agencies to root out corruption. It is essential to leverage all the resources that are available to combat this persistent problem.”

 He added that he will form a public corruption unit in the Attorney General’s office to better pursue corruption wherever it leads.

 Steve Archambault today called on the Senate President and Speaker to bring the General Assembly back into session in order to pass a measure that would  put a constitutional amendment to restore the State Ethics Commission’s oversight over state legislators on the November ballot.  “I believe the members of the General Assembly should be subject to the same Ethics Commission oversight as the rest of our state’s public officials,” added Archambault. The measure has passed the House, but was stalled in the State Senate.

 Archambault, who serves as a Councilman in Smithfield , would bring a broad legal background to the Attorney General’s office. His experience as a police officer, local Prosecutor and defense attorney gives him a first-hand understanding of all the elements of the criminal justice system.

Steve Archambault, Democratic candidate for Attorney General, today blasted a decision by Health Insurance Commissioner Chris Koller to approve another set of big rate hikes to Blue Cross and other health insurers. Blue Cross was granted a 9.8% rate hike for 2011; United Health Care was granted a 8.4% rate hike; and Tufts Health Plan was granted an 11% rate hike.

Archambault said, "These new rate hikes, on top of the double-digit ones recently approved, are simply unaffordable and unacceptable. They are far too costly for already squeezed Rhode Island families and businesses and a big blow to Rhode Island as the state attempts to recover from the worst economic situaton in at least a generation.'

"While they are lower than what the Insurers originally requested, that is small consolation for Rhode Island families and businesses," Archambault added.

Archambault has led the fight against rate hikes by Blue Cross and other health insurers repeatedly calling on Commissioner Koller to re-examine the basis of the requests and to give administrative expenses tough new scrutiny. He has called for a top-to-bottom review of all expenses including top executive salaries.

Archambault who serves as a Councilman in Smithfield , would bring a broad legal background to the Attorney General's office. His experience as a police officer, local Prosecutor and defense Attorney gives him a first-hand understanding of all elements of the criminal justice system.

Steve Archambault, Democratic candidate for Attorney General, today announced that he has won the endorsement of the Westerly Democratic Committee.

Robert Ritacco, Chair of the Westerly Democratic Committee said, "We are backing Steve Archambault because he will bring the energy, vision and new ideas we need to the Attorney General's office.

Westerly becomes the sixth local Democratic Committee to endorse Archambault, joining. Exeter, Foster, Johnston, North Providence and Smithfield.

Steve Archambault said "I am pleased to have won the support of the people who represent the grassroots of our party in these six cities and towns.."

In early April, Archambault won the endorsement of the Association of City and Town Democratic Chairs—winning the endorsement vote with the support of nearly 3-out-of-4 chairs who cast ballots.

Archambault, who serves as a Councilman in Smithfield , would bring a broad legal background to the Attorney General's office. He has served as a police officer, local Prosecutor and defense attorney.

Archambault is leading the fight against rate hikes by Blue Cross and other health insurers and has repeatedly called for new tough scrutiny of administrative costs.

To learn more about Steve Archambault and how he will serve the people of Rhode Island as our next Attorney General, visit www.archambaultforattorneygeneral.com

Saturday, June 19, 2010
GoLocalProv News Team

Democratic Attorney General candidate Steve Archambault is calling on primary opponents Joe Fernandez and Peter Kilmartin to join him in six debates before the Sept. 14 Democratic primary.

“Debates are the best way for primary voters to be able to take the measure of the candidates for Attorney General and make an informed decision,” Archambault wrote in a letter to the candidates. “Especially given the tough challenges the next Attorney General will face, it is important that we move beyond sound bites and television ads.”

The Archambault campaign said it was reaching out to media organizations and groups like the League of Women Voters to secure the largest possible audience and formats for the debates.