Oregon Mortgage and Foreclosure Fraud Task Force.

The Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program (Byrne Competitive Program) will help communities improve the capacity of state and local justice systems and provide for national support efforts including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address local needs. This competitive grant announcement focuses on initiatives in eight areas: 1) preventing and reducing violent crime through community-based data-driven approaches; 2) providing funding for neighborhood-based probation and parole officers; 3) reducing mortgage fraud and crime related to vacant properties; 4) hiring of civilian support personnel in law enforcement (training staff, analysts, dispatchers, etc.); 5) enhancing forensic and crime scene investigations; 6) improving resources and services for victims of crime; 7) supporting problem-solving courts; and 8) national training and technical assistance partnerships.

Under category 3, the Oregon Department of Justice will use the FY 2009 Recovery Act Byrne Competitive Grant funds to support the Oregon Mortgage and Foreclosure Fraud Task Force. The funds will be used to: hire one prosecutor and one criminal investigator; establish a statewide Mortgage and Foreclosure Fraud Task Force; conduct investigations and prosecutions of fraudulent mortgage lenders and foreclosure scammers; train local law enforcement throughout the state; and provide outreach (publications and presentations) to consumer groups and vulnerable communities on mortgage and foreclosure fraud.

CA/NCF