HCI and Consumer One to Pay Over $650,000 in Restitution

(NYAG) Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced results of a landmark investigation with the New York State Department of Banking into discriminatory practices in the mortgage brokerage industry. In the first law enforcement action of its kind in New York State, two mortgage brokerage companies – HCI Mortgage and Consumer One Mortgage – will collectively pay $665,000 in restitution to approximately 455 Black and Latino borrowers who were illegally charged higher fees than similarly-situated White borrowers. The companies collectively operate more than 20 branches throughout New York State. The Attorney General also filed a lawsuit in federal district court against another mortgage brokerage company – U.S. Capital Funding, LLC – that engaged in similar discriminatory practices.

“The blatant discrimination in this case is as illegal as it is inexcusable,” said Attorney General Cuomo. “These customers were charged significantly higher fees for no reason other than being a minority – something that is explicitly against the law in New York State. Today’s agreements will put in place the necessary controls to ensure mortgage brokers comply with the law and offer fair and legitimate rates to all New Yorkers.”

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15 Gang Members Convicted on Conspiracy, Weapons Possession, Firearms Trafficking Charges Case Follows Recent Convictions of 137th Street Crew and East Harlem Narcotics Trafficking Organization

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced the results of the investigation and prosecution of one of Central Harlem’s most destructive criminal street gangs, referred to as “ONE TWENTY-NINE” or “GOODFELLAS/THE NEW DONS,” which terrorized the neighborhood surrounding West 129th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues. Thirteen members of the gang have previously pleaded guilty to importing, possessing, and using firearms over the course of the conspiracy.

The Myth, The Matrix, and The Malpractice: Unpacking the Sophia Stewart Saga

The internet loves a good underdog story, especially one where a lone creator battles Hollywood giants. Few tales have captivated online forums and social media quite like that of Sophia Stewart, the woman who famously sued the creators of The Matrix and The Terminator, claiming they stole her work, "The Third Eye." Her story is a complex tapestry woven with claims of stolen genius, judicial conflicts, and attorney negligence. Let's untangle the legal facts from the compelling narrative and examine the heart of her claims. The Core Allegation: "The Third Eye" and the Blockbusters Sophia Stewart alleged that her copyrighted manuscript, "The Third Eye," conceived in 1981 and finalized in 1983, was the blueprint for two of the most iconic sci-fi franchises: The Terminator (first film 1984) and The Matrix (first film 1999). From her perspective, the similarities were undeniable. Stewart’s supporters often point to broad, impactful themes and ev...

The U-Turn of Candace Owens: From Liberal Critic to Conservative Firebrand

Candace Owens’s career has been defined by one of the most dramatic and controversial political transformations in modern media. In less than a decade, she transitioned from a liberal critic of the Republican Party to a leading voice of the American conservative movement, only to have her time at the top of established conservative media end over a final, divisive shift in rhetoric. Here is a look at the journey that defined her political evolution, culminating in her emergence as a powerful, independent media force. Phase 1: The Anti-Trump Democrat (Pre-2017) Before her political transformation, Candace Owens was known for holding typical liberal views and actively criticizing the Republican Party and its most controversial new figure. Initial Stance: Owens was an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, reportedly publishing articles mocking him and the "bat-s**t crazy antics of the Republican Tea Party." The Turning Point: This initial phase ended following a failed a...

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