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Calif. Lawyer: Break Back Into Your Foreclosed Homes

Radical attorney helps clients squat in bank-owned properties

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 14, 2011 2:01 AM CST

(Newser) – One California attorney isn't afraid of getting on the wrong side of the law to help clients who have been evicted from their homes. Michael T. Pines of Pines & Associates advises clients to break into their foreclosed homes and live there illegally. He has personally broken into at least six homes, leaving clients to live there while he defends their right to possession, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Pines—who says he was himself the victim of unscrupulous lenders—has won plenty of attention and criticism with his unconventional methods, but he has yet to win a foreclosure case. His most high-profile client was baseball legend Lenny Dykstra, who fired Pines after the lawyer advised him to move back into his foreclosed home against a judge's orders. Dykstra was swiftly barred from the property and lost it at a foreclosure sale soon after.

A foreclosure sign is shown through a front gate of a foreclosed home in Oakland, Calif.
A foreclosure sign is shown through a front gate of a foreclosed home in Oakland, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
Aitchondo
Jan 14, 2011 6:59 AM CST
"...break into their foreclosed homes and live there illegally"? But how can this be possible? Homes that are increasingly being shown to be taken away form people illegally, can not be broken into illegally. Anyone who supports the banks in this matter, either are Republicans, crooks or idiots. Just had a neighbor, several weeks ago, told by the bank that he had to move. His property has been paid in full since his retirement in the 90's. Read the contracts? Hell, the banks don't even read the contracts. My neighbor didn't move. He did put up signs indicating what would happen to anyone trespassing. No one has to date.
lilliwolf
Jan 14, 2011 6:09 AM CST
i have said it all a long that your house is not yours. your house belongs to the government( and if you dont be leave it dont pay your tax's and find just how fast they will kick you out of it) and the banks and big corporations work for the government,that is why they got a bail out and we did not. and that is how they can take your home and leave you on the street. and now the government wants you to pay $4.95 to get your tax return on a dept card no more check's from the government very,very soon!...........mark my words and watch what i say.................is all true
Dave
Jan 14, 2011 5:40 AM CST
If all else fails and you do get foreclosed on remove everything of value and trash whats left. Banksters are one of the main forces of evil in this world and should be fought by any means possible. I am non-violent but i am 100% for destroying the property of the rich. All your private property Is target for your enemy
 

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