April 23, 2025 – Towson, MD — Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, LLC is proud to announce that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio has granted final approval of a $3.95 million class action settlement in a high-impact case involving RESPA anti-kickback violations by Emery Federal Credit Union.
This case, Brown et al. v. Emery Federal Credit Union (Case No. 1:22-cv-175-MRB), addressed serious allegations that Emery employees accepted improper incentives from All Star Title, Inc. in exchange for directing borrowers to All Star for real estate settlement and title services. The scheme, alleged to violate the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), impacted more than 1,500 mortgage borrowers between 2011 and 2014.
Key Outcomes of the RESPA Settlement:
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$3.95 million settlement fund to benefit affected borrowers.
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Automatic cash payments to eligible class members — no claims required.
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Service awards of $1,500 each to named plaintiffs for their efforts in the litigation.
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$1.185 million in legal fees and $21,755.72 in costs awarded to plaintiffs’ counsel.
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Unclaimed funds to benefit Habitat for Humanity International.
U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett praised the fairness and adequacy of the settlement, emphasizing the lack of objections or opt-outs, which speaks to the value and strength of the agreement.
“This resolution delivers meaningful compensation to affected borrowers and ensures accountability under federal consumer protection laws,” said Michael Paul Smith, lead counsel for plaintiffs and principal at Smith, Gildea & Schmidt. “We are committed to protecting homeowners and holding lenders accountable for illegal referral schemes.”
Know Your Rights Under RESPA – We’re Here to Help
At Smith, Gildea & Schmidt, we continue to represent borrowers nationwide in RESPA kickback investigations and whistleblower actions. If you are:
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A borrower who suspects you were steered to a title company or settlement provider in exchange for hidden benefits; or
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A whistleblower with information about illegal referral schemes or unearned fees in mortgage lending or real estate services—
📞 Contact us confidentially today.
📩 Reach Attorney Michael Paul Smith directly at:
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Email: mpsmith@sgs-law.com
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Phone: (410) 821-9746
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Address: 600 Washington Avenue, Suite 200, Towson, MD 21204
Why This Matters for RESPA Enforcement
The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act was enacted to protect consumers from hidden fees, kickbacks, and unethical referral arrangements in real estate transactions. Violations often occur behind the scenes, and whistleblowers play a critical role in bringing them to light.
This case underscores our firm’s commitment to consumer protection, financial transparency, and real estate industry integrity.