The following testimonies were presented to Montana Courts. These
testimonies are from witnesses with personal and firsthand knowledge of
Wells Fargo's fraud, abuse and prevention of performance.
SUPPORTING AFFIDAVIT OF NICK NICKERSON
I, Nick Nickerson, deposes and states:
1. I am an Appellant in the above entitled action.
2. The evidence requested in the remand Order is currently due September 30, 2016.
3. HSBC through their alleged servicer, Wells Fargo, is preventing us from making this deadline by withholding the affidavits and evidence required.
4. I am requesting an extension to November 30, 2016, so that HSBC and Wells Fargo may be compelled to produce the required evidence and affidavits.
5. It is my belief opposing counsel objects to this extension.
6. I am requesting an extension due to the fact HSBC through their alleged servicer Wells Fargo will not allow their employees with firsthand knowledge to provide affidavits.
7. On Monday, August 28, 2016, we and several members of our family travelled from our home in Montana to Lewiston, Idaho, to secure the affidavit testimonies of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage employees Theresa Koepke and Jody Lauzon. These employees are among those who tried to help us make Wells Fargo take our payments when the payments were first refused, have firsthand knowledge of Wells Fargo's refusal to accept our payments, have firsthand knowledge of Wells Fargo's attack on our entire financial portfolio, and are more than willing to communicate these events to this Supreme Court. However, because Wells Fargo will not allow any witness testimony to be provided on our behalf, we attempted to secure these testimonies in person. While we were in her office, Theresa Koepke approached Wells Fargo Home Mortgage supervisor Wes Gossage to detail our attempts to make payments and gain permission to provide testimony. Mr. Gossage listened to our combined stories and promised to request permission from the Executive Office. On August 31, 2016, Theresa told us they did not yet have a response from the Executive Office.
8. In December 2013, we had contacted the Montana State Auditor's office to see if they could find a resolution that would help us save our home because all other authorities we contacted met with jurisdictional roadblocks that prevented them from assisting us. In January 2016, Jesse Laslovich of the State Auditor's office and his team reviewed the merits of our case. Jesse Laslovich indicated Wells Fargo could make this right and he requested Ron Long of Wells Fargo contact us and resolve this situation.
9. Repeated requests for Wells Fargo to contact us were made by the auditor's office.
10. In August 2016, Dita Hotic and Kobe Alic left messages on behalf of Ron Long regarding Jesse Laslovich's inquiries. We responded, but our calls were unanswered.
11. On or about August 30, 2016, our witnesses requested permission from the Executive Office to provide affidavits regarding Wells Fargo's prevention of performance.
12. On September 9, 2016, we received a letter dated September 1, 2016, from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Executive Resolution Specialist Kobe Alic. Kobe stated he was responding to the inquiry and would provide the results of his research on September 14, 2016. On September 26, 2016, we finally received a letter dated September 21, 2016.
13. Their letter admitted communications with Wells Fargo employees regarding payment attempts took place. Wells Fargo provided a copy of this letter to our witnesses because our witnesses contacted Wells Fargo regarding providing their testimony to this Court.
14. Kobe Alic contacted us by phone on September 21, 2016. We told him our story, detailed how Wells Fargo refused our payments beginning in April 2012, pled with him to turn our records over to
any person in the Executive Office that was honorable enough to do the right thing and stop this wrongful foreclosure (if such a person existed), and requested the Executive Office immediately release our witnesses to provide affidavits and simply tell the truth. The Executive Office has so far refused to release our witnesses. The Executive Office has not provided the requested records.
15. On Friday, September 23, 2016, around 5:30 p.m. MDT, Theresa Koepke confirmed Wells Fargo would still not allow her or other Wells Fargo employees to provide us with any written testimony of the things she personally experienced and verbally confirmed.
16. After confirming Wells Fargo would not allow us to obtain the required affidavits and letters from their employees that attest to Wells Fargo's prevention of performance and would only provide response through their Executive Office, I spent several hours at the Montana Law Library on Monday, September 26, 2016, and an enormous amount of time this week researching discovery options, case history, and next steps. All of the options generally require 30 days or more to complete the entire process. Therefore, our only course of action at this point is to request an extension until November 30, 2016, or until HSBC and Wells Fargo can be compelled to produce the required evidence and the appropriate discovery timelines can be fulfilled.
17. We did not know Wells Fargo would or could try to obstruct justice and hide their fraudulent and abusive actions by preventing their employees from providing letters or affidavits.
18. We have been told HSBC's denial of any involvement in this action restricts the Banking Commissioner's office from exercising their authority to help us.
19. We have been told Wells Fargo's denial of involvement in this foreclosure restricts the Montana Attorney General's office from requiring Wells Fargo to answer to their violations against us and the agreements made with the State of Montana.
20. We have been told the Wells Fargo Asset Securities Corporation Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2007-7 trust is not registered in the State of Montana and cannot own property in the State of Montana per MCA § 35-5-201. Therefore, this Trust does not fall under Montana's jurisdiction and the Secretary of State's Office cannot help us.
21. Because this Trust was closed 1,046 days before the first alleged assignment of Mortgage and 1,911 days before the second alleged assignment of the same Mortgage, determining what entity is driving this foreclosure so we can properly defend our rights and prove our complete innocence against these accusations has been challenging and has delayed this entire process.
22. Limiting all discovery solely to prevention of performance prevents us from using testimony of other corroborating witnesses because their communications and the foundations for their testimony were initiated in context with the fraudulent transfer of ownership from Wells Fargo to HSBC. The banks' concealment of these fraudulent activities has prevented and delayed us from gaining assistance from appropriate agencies, has allowed Wells Fargo to bypass agreements and regulations associated with the settlement made with the Montana Attorney General's office, and has allowed their inhumane abuse of our family to go unchecked.
23. Theresa Koepke's written testimony is critical to our defense because we anticipate it will be very similar to that of former Wells Fargo employee Heather Hummel, with the additions that Theresa has known us for more than 10 years and is able to testify to the prevention of performance actions of Wells Fargo against our entire financial portfolio and long-standing history of keeping commitments.
24. A true and correct copy of Heather Hummel's affidavit has been submitted in conjunction with this motion.
25. We are attempting to locate and secure the testimony of other former Wells Fargo employees who have firsthand knowledge of our commitment to our obligations and of Wells Fargo's intentional prevention of performance and attack on our financial portfolio. Wells Fargo's refusal to provide us with requested documentation has delayed our diligent efforts to do this.
26. We have had numerous phone and in person conversations with Wells Fargo representatives during the life of this loan that clearly demonstrate our extreme commitment to our obligations regarding this property.
27. Wells Fargo prevented us from having access to our account and is preventing us from obtaining verified written testimony from their employees that prove Wells Fargo prevented our performance. This extension is necessary so we can pursue all other discovery avenues available to compel Wells Fargo to provide all account records, notations, phone recordings, and communication records that corroborate our story and demonstrate why it was wrong of Wells Fargo to reject our payments. This process will require more than 30 days to complete.
28. Wells Fargo has confirmed we made our March 2012 payment this complaint relies upon for default.
29. We attempted to make our April 2012 payment and Wells Fargo refused to accept it.
30. We attempted to pay all payments and fees associated with this loan to bring it current and Wells Fargo refused to accept our payments or even allow their employees to access our account to make notations to our account.
31. Wells Fargo has made
no collection attempts to resolve the alleged default on this loan.
32. At no time since April 2012 has Wells Fargo been willing to accept partial or full payments from us or to allow us to cure any alleged default created solely by their prevention of performance actions.
33. We have been victimized by Wells Fargo's abusive debt collection practices.
34. We have been told by Wells Fargo employees that Wells Fargo cannot accept our payments nor can we qualify for a modification or any other option to save our property solely because our loan was entered into a closed trust without our knowledge.
35. No Wells Fargo employee was able to take our payments or allow us to cure any alleged default created by Wells Fargo's intentional prevention of performance from April 2012 to present.
36. We have clearly communicated to Wells Fargo in every communication, "This is our home. We want to keep it. We have the wherewithal to keep it. We are going to fight to keep it."
37. We have requested account records, taped conversations, and documents from Wells Fargo.
38. We have clearly communicated to HSBC that Wells Fargo prevented our performance and that this is a wrongful foreclosure attempt against us, our family, and our heirs.
39. HSBC and Wells Fargo are stealing our home and equity from us without cause or right.
40. We need this extension to protect our rights regarding this property.
I swear or affirm under the penalty of perjury that the above is true and correct.
Nick Nickerson, Appellant Pro Se
The Testimony of Amanda Nickerson in Regards to Wells Fargo and HSBC
Hello, my name is Amanda Nickerson. The below is a true and correct account of my personal experiences with Wells Fargo and HSBC.
I have been present and assisted with orchestrating and making mortgage payments in-person at multiple Wells Fargo branch locations and telephonically.
I have been present and able to hear both sides of the conversation via speaker phone or the volume on a phone being turned up when we have made mortgage payments telephonically to Wells Fargo representatives.
I have and have had direct access to the Nickerson bank and cash funds, knowledge of the moneys therein, and what portions were already designated, and who they were designated for.
I was present when on multiple individual in-person visits to Wells
Fargo bank locations Wells Fargo employees greeted us pulled up our
mortgage account and started to post our mortgage payment. I personally
witnessed Wells Fargo employees: apologize, try to figure out what was
wrong with their computer system, ask for assistance from fellow
employees and supervisors, try to access the account through different
computers, appear baffled and embarrassed, recommend we try another day,
recommend we try the 800 # representatives, send us away because there
was nothing else they could personally do, refuse payment(s) because
they could not accept any payment(s) without accessing/posting them to
the account.
I traveled with my family to different Wells Fargo Branches in multiple
states to try to get around the lockout of our account, hoping it was a
local issue we could bypass.
I was present when we contacted, in person and telephonically, and
communicated our story and asked, pled, begged Wells Fargo bankers,
tellers and other Wells Fargo employees/representatives to take our
payments because we wanted to keep our home and ranch and it was wrong
for Wells Fargo to just decide to force us into foreclosure.
I was present when we visited with home mortgage specialists to try to
get their assistance for access to our mortgage account so we could make
payments.
Our family was prevented from making the April mortgage payment when
Wells Fargo employee(s) refused to accept the payment.
I was present when the April payment was refused by a Wells Fargo
representative and clearly remember the emotions surrounding the moment.
I personally assisted in the attempts, sometimes multiple times a day,
to make Wells Fargo receive our mortgage payments together with what our
family labeled "blackmail fees" and late fees as they accrued in April,
May, June, July and continuing sporadically through the end of 2012 and
on into 2013.
I was present when we in person and telephonically requested Wells Fargo
employees/representatives to please make notations on our account. We
requested they write that we had come in or called in and tried to make
a payment and the system would not allow them to post it. When speaking
with Wells Fargo telephonically we requested they do actually record the
conversation(s) and communicated every time we called them we were
calling to make a payment on our mortgage, that we had the money, and
wanted to keep our home.
I personally assisted in and was intricately involved with attempting,
in any way we could come up with, to make Wells Fargo receive the
mortgage payment, and then payments, together with the fees they tacked
on, and continued to tack on to our account.
Our family was prevented from making payments on our mortgage by Wells
Fargo.
Based on my personal experiences and what Wells Fargo
employees/representatives communicated to me and my family: A Wells
Fargo representative with the power and who has the actual access,
locked their own Wells Fargo employees out of our mortgage account so
payments could not be received.
I believe Wells Fargo locked down our mortgage account so Wells Fargo
could force a foreclosure for their gain or as a cover-up for deeds
committed. The only other viable possibility is maybe Wells Fargo
created, or gave access to a national financial computer system that
targets properties with equity. Whether deliberately by a Wells Fargo
representative or by some Wells Fargo "system", Wells Fargo targeted our
family ranch and through unfair tactics and HSBC, Wells Fargo is trying
to steal my/our ranch.
I have personally never seen a letter or heard a conversation or
listened to a message where Wells Fargo made any collection attempts.
Wells Fargo has consistently and obstinately refused to accept any
moneys from us (the Nickersons) since April 2012. Wells Fargo, in an
attempt to establish "collection attempts", harassed our family with
phone calls at all times of day and even late into evenings on every day
of the week, not even skipping Sundays or Holidays. A collection attempt
is an attempt to collect, in this case money. Refusal of money is not an
attempt to collect money, no matter what Wells Fargo may try to
represent. When a call was answered we would have to wait for a
representative and then give them our account information. We would then
try to give them a payment. The representative would say that they were
unable to accept a payment. When asked why they called us if they were
unable to accept a payment they would say that our number was assigned
to them to initiate a contact and to gather information. We would always
tell them a part or even our whole story and then say "Well, would you
please write a notation that says: The Nickersons want to keep their
ranch. They have the wherewithal to keep their ranch and they will fight
to keep their ranch." (Note: The above described phone calls took place
with-in my hearing, at times with me physically holding the phone with
the phone on speaker or the volume turned up so I and others could
clearly hear both sides of the conversation.) These phone calls
continued until when my family and I visited in person with a local
Wells Fargo Bank Manager and he was able to order a cease and desist for
Wells Fargo employees continuously calling and harassing us.
I have occupied and assisted with my personal resources in maintaining
and building equity in the property that is the subject of this
litigation starting before the mortgage was initiated and continuing to
present.
I have personal knowledge and experiences in regards to the fact our
family has had the wherewithal to keep our ranch.
In April 2013 a man trespassed on our property by climbing our locked
gate and walking up our long driveway. He knocked on our door and gave
us foreclosure papers. When we read the papers we were shocked and our
first thought was it must be a joke or mistake because Wells Fargo was
not named, a Bank called HSBC was, who we had never had any dealings
with, and it was dated April 1st (April fools day). Then we thought
maybe HSBC would be able to accept our payments and stop the mess Wells
Fargo had created and maybe everything would be okay. We contacted HSBC
to try and get everything resolved and HSBC denied having anything to do
with the foreclosure and said Wells Fargo was responsible for handling
their foreclosures. (See letters from HSBC in the record) HSBC and Wells
Fargo then together by denying they were foreclosing, both, in
conjunction together, deliberately continued to refuse payments and
prevent us from making payments or working out any kind of solution with
them to stop the foreclosure proceedings and secure our ranch. As a
family, we reached out to Montana government entities who contacted HSBC
and Wells Fargo on our behalf, but were unable, because of HSBC and
Wells Fargo’s (what I believe to be false and cowardly) denials, to be
successful in stopping these proceedings and in holding HSBC and Wells
Fargo responsible for their deeds. I was present and am personally aware
of the above conversations and events.
I am personally aware that Wells Fargo and HSBC have prevented us (the
Nickerson Family) from making mortgage payments by their actions and
inactions regarding the moneys offered to them.
I was present when a current Wells Fargo employee confirmed she
remembers our family coming in to make payments to Wells Fargo and that
Wells Fargo would not accept them. She communicated she was willing to
provide an affidavit stating that for the court, but her supervisors had
strictly instructed her she was not to put anything in writing. She was
concerned for her job if she were to write a letter or an affidavit, but
offered and is willing to testify. I was present when a co-employee
confirmed she remembered these events as well.
I am one of the witnesses disclosed in the witness list submitted by the
Nickersons and the above is a true account of my experiences with Wells
Fargo and HSBC.
This affidavit is now being submitted in accordance with the Montana
Supreme Court’s ruling allowing for the submittal of affidavits to the
district court regarding Wells Fargo’s prevention of performance.
I am competent and knowledgeable in regards to our communications with
Wells Fargo and HSBC and I affirm that the above testimony is true and
correct under penalty of perjury.
Thank you for taking the time to read
my testimony. If you have any questions feel free to ask me to clarify.
Amanda Nickerson
The Testimony of Chad Nickerson
My name is Chad Nickerson and I am the oldest son of Nick and Donna
Nickerson. I know we had enough money to make our payments in April,
May, and June of 2012 because my brother Caleb and I helped my dad make
the money that was needed. I also remember there was an unexplained
charge of approximately $3,000 that we earned as well. I also remember
that my mother went into multiple Wells Fargo locations and talked to
various Wells Fargo employees on the phone, and no one could allow her
to make a payment or explain why she could not pay the bill. I also
remember Wells Fargo employees began calling our home, sometimes on a
daily basis, and when the phone was answered, whoever answered the phone
would be told a Wells Fargo representative would be with them shortly.
Whoever answered the phone would then have to wait a period of time, I
believe sometimes as long as 45 minutes, before a Wells Fargo person
would get on the line. We started having a member of our family sit with
the phone when Wells Fargo called, and when a human finally came on the
line, my mother would come talk to them. The Wells Fargo person on the
phone would ask a bunch of questions, and my mother would answer or tell
them that nothing had changed since the last time they had called. She
would ask the Wells Fargo person on the phone to help her make a
payment, and they would tell her they couldn't do that. I distinctly
remember the end of her conversations with Wells Fargo, because I heard
it many times. She would ask the person on the phone to make a note in
the system, and then she would say "This is our home. We want to keep
it, and we have the wherewithal to keep it." She would then get off the
phone.
Since that time I have been present when Wells Fargo employees said they
could remember what happened but they were not allowed to put anything
in writing about it. I have also been present at times when my family
has visited with Montana State Agencies, and the law library as well,
and can provide testimony about these communications and the research
conducted.
This experience with Wells Fargo that has now lasted 4 years has been
very angering. I was raised with the belief that in America men were
free, that we had the right to own and defend our property, and that the
law was in place to protect the innocent, and punish those who broke it.
Our family settled in Montana because we believed the citizens of
Montana believed this to. As a grown man I have learned that America is
a different place. I have learned that men's votes can be bought, that
judges can give banks whatever the bank wants, and that the law has
nothing to do with justice. I have heard employees of the State of
Montana say they know what Wells Fargo has done to our family is wrong,
but no one is going to help us. So I am asking whoever reads this to
help our family. If you are a judge, read our case, and especially our
counterclaim. You were put into office to ensure justice is served, not
to be a referee for a game of chess. The facts speak for themselves. If
you are a lawyer for Wells Fargo or HSBC, remember when you thought
being a lawyer was about helping people, or securing justice for the
oppressed, and think about what you are doing! And to any fellow
American who reads this, please remember, "All it takes for evil to
triumph is for good men to do nothing." No American's property is safe
from unlawful seizure if a bank can refuse to take payments and then
foreclose. It happened to us, and it could happen to
you.
May God render to each man according to his deeds.
I affirm under penalty of perjury that the above is true and correct.
Chad Nickerson
The Testimony of Stephanie Nickerson
I Stephanie Nickerson, affirm under oath that:
1. I have personal knowledge of the facts contained in this affidavit.
2. I have personal knowledge of the events surrounding the alleged
default of Nick and Donna Nickerson, the prevention of performance by
Wells Fargo, the history of this loan from its inception to the present,
almost every phone conversation, document, correspondence and personal
contact dealing with this loan, and our other Wells Fargo accounts, from
2007 until the present day. I have personally made mortgage payments to
Wells Fargo on this loan. I have access to and knowledge of Nick and
Donna Nickerson's funds and accounts. I have been physically present,
and an active participant, on numerous occasions when Wells Fargo
refused our family's payments both in person and via the phone. I have
lived through every minute of this unending nightmare in which Wells
Fargo and HSBC are trying to steal everything our family has worked and
dreamed and prayed for. I am competent to testify in this matter.
3. I have personal knowledge of Wells Fargo's history of preventing
performance, keeping inaccurate records, making outrageous payment
demands and other illegal and questionable activity when dealing with
our accounts. I have personal knowledge that Nick and Donna Nickerson
have a history of tendering timely payments, when not prevented by Wells
Fargo, and showing extreme regard for all commitments and obligations,
clearly communicating with Wells Fargo, keeping accurate records, and
being long-standing, faithful customers of Wells Fargo. Numerous Wells
Fargo and former Wells Fargo employees can testify to this fact
including Teresa Koepke, Jody Lauzon, Bryan Proctor, Heather Hummel,
Kenneth Hayes and others.
4. I have personal knowledge of the events during 2009 and 2010 when
Wells Fargo refused multiple payments by us and then increased our
payments by nearly $2,000/month (from $5,000 to nearly $7,000/month) for
almost a year. We continued to faithfully make our payments. Even when
the increased amount caused extreme financial hardships in a failing
economy we, the Nick and Donna Nickerson family, pulled together, worked
around the clock, lived very simply, and gave up personal savings,
assets, and resources to meet our obligations. We individually and
corporately sacrificed in big and small ways because we believe when you
tell someone you will do something, you do it.
5. This lawsuit is based on our alleged default on the March 2012
payment. The complaint states we failed to make our March 2012 payment.
I have personal knowledge this is inaccurate. We made our March 2012
payment on March 1, 2012. I have personal knowledge of a letter we
submitted to the court from a Wells Fargo personal banker who looked at
our banking records and confirmed we made our March 2012 payment. Over
the years we have had numerous issues with Wells Fargo providing
inaccurate account information. We stopped by or called Wells Fargo and
spoke with employees who straightened everything out and told us to
disregard the inaccurate claims. I have personally read these documents,
participated in these conversations and have personal knowledge of the
true status of our accounts and of the conversations that sorted out the
errors.
6. Members of the Nickerson family, including myself, attempted both in
person and via the telephone to tender timely payments to Wells Fargo
bank tellers, Home Mortgage consultants, personal bankers and numerous
other Wells Fargo employees in the spring and summer of 2012, and the
months following, Wells Fargo refused our payments and prevented our
performance. I was a witness and participant in these events. Many of
the Wells Fargo employees stated they were perplexed about the system's
refusal to take payments. They expressed they did not know what was
going on or why Wells Fargo was not accepting our payments. They
communicated something strange and unusual was going on.
7. I have personal knowledge our family tried to make payments and Wells
Fargo refused. Since April 2012, each time we tried to pay a Wells Fargo
employee in person or over the phone, or expressed a desire, willingness
and ability to tender payment to any Wells Fargo employee, Wells Fargo
prevented our performance and refused to accept our payments. Wells
Fargo and the Wells Fargo employees knew we had the money to pay, but
refused. We did not offer empty promises. We tendered timely payments to
Wells Fargo on multiple occasions and they wrongly rejected our payments
and prevented our performance.
8. I personally witnessed Teresa Koepke, a Wells Fargo personal banker,
attempt to get our payment processed and Wells Fargo refuse to take it.
Our family went to Teresa and expressed that Wells Fargo would not
accept our payments. She said she would get this taken care of. On one
occasion, we walked with her from her desk to the tellers where she
instructed them to process our payment. They tried and said they could
not. While we listened, Teresa then made calls to find out what was
going on and get it all resolved. We listened as she was unable to
persuade them to take our payment. Teresa, who has worked for Wells
Fargo for many years expressed great frustration and confusion as to why
Wells Fargo would refuse payment from long-standing, loyal customers
like us who have multiple large accounts with Wells Fargo. Teresa
referred us to Jody Lauzon.
9. I personally witnessed Jody Lauzon, a Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Consultant, attempt to access our account in order to help us process a
payment, but Wells Fargo prevented her from helping. Jody communicated
that there was no reason for Wells Fargo to be doing this.
10. I personally witnessed Lorrie M. Willey, a Wells Fargo teller,
attempt to process our payment and Wells Fargo refuse it. When we
approached Lorrie we communicated that Wells Fargo had been refusing our
payments and asked if she could help us. She said she could and we were
so excited. She began processing our payment and then the system would
not accept it. She told us she did not know what was going on and she
was so sorry.
11. I personally witnessed numerous other employees attempt to take our
payments and have the same experience. No one could explain why. I have
personally been a part of conversations with tellers, mortgage
consultants, personal bankers, branch managers and many other Wells
Fargo employees who attempted to accept and process our payments, access
our accounts, and determine why Wells Fargo was taking these actions
against us. Employees who had been with the company for years or even
decades communicated to us they did not understand why Wells Fargo would
treat customers like this. I personally heard telephone conversations
where Donna Nickerson attempted to make payments to Wells Fargo and
Wells Fargo employees refused to accept our payments.
12. My family and I visited with Randall Peterson in June of 2012. At
that time we understood he was the branch manager of the downtown Helena
Wells Fargo. We told him we wanted to make payments to Wells Fargo, but
Wells Fargo's refused to take our payments. He was unable to help us.
Randy made notations on our account about our conversation.
13. I was personally present when members of my family approached Stef
Lawrence, a Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Consultant, but she was unable to
take our payment or facilitate making Wells Fargo take our payment.
14. I have personally researched state, federal and common law codes and
regulations regarding Wells Fargo's actions and inactions including
prevention of performance, trust agreements, servicer responsibilities,
wrongful foreclosure and other issues trying to help save our family
ranch. I have researched who the appropriate agencies to report Wells
Fargo's violations of state and federal laws to are and have spoke with
many of these agencies. I have discovered in this process that Wells
Fargo's violations are not limited to our family. They are breaking laws
across the country which corroborates our claims. I have researched
their violations of the trust agreements which govern the trust that our
loan is allegedly a part of and have been in contact with some of the
law firms engaged in suing Wells Fargo for these violations. I
personally assisted in ordering a certified copy of all the trust
documents governing this trust from the SEC and we have used these
documents in our research. I have personally researched the illegal and
destructive actions and inactions of Erika Peterman, RCO Legal,
Northwest Trustee, Jeff Stenman and others involved in this lawsuit. I
have reviewed local, statewide and national cases involving RCO Legal
and Erika Peterman's foreclosure practices. My research has shown it is
a common occurrence for these entities and others like them to engage in
practices that unjustly and unlawfully rob innocent homeowners like us
of their homes and equity.
15. I have personally spoken with the New York Attorney General's
office, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Trade Commission,
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Securities and Exchange
Commission and one of their attorneys, Department of Housing and Urban
Development, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Montana State Law
Library, Montana Secretary of State - Notarization Department,
Washington Secretary of State - Notarization Department, McDonnell
Property Analytics, Inc., Federal Reserve, Delaware Secretary of State
and other agencies regarding issues surrounding Wells Fargo's prevention
of performance, illegal actions and wrongful foreclosure. In many cases
I spoke with multiple departments in each agency. My family and I have
spoken with the offices of the Montana State Auditor, Montana Attorney
General, Montana Banking Commissioner, Montana Secretary of State, and
other state agencies regarding Wells Fargo's prevention of performance
and many other issues. Investigations and complaints that are ongoing
were initiated by the New York Attorney General's office, Montana State
Auditor's office and others.
16. Mike Palzes is a former Montana Attorney General's office employee
who worked on our case. After diligent research in finding his new
contact information, I was a witness to a phone conversation between
Mike Palzes and Donna Nickerson on August 31, 2016. Mike Palzes stated
he remembered our case, but was unable to give us a letter confirming
the prevention of performance of Wells Fargo, our attempts and
willingness to make payments, our efforts to save our home, and that
Wells Fargo's refusal to work with us stemmed from our loan being
entered into the trust, because he has been told he could not help us
and he would lose his current job if he did. He told us he documented
everything thoroughly for us and the corroboration and statements we are
seeking would be in his notes. We contacted the Montana Attorney
General's Office to get Mike's notes and were informed the notes Mike
told us about were not in the files.
17. I personally spoke with Erika Peterman on the phone on August 31,
2016 to ask her if she would stipulate to an extension. Hannah Nickerson
was a witness to the conversation. Erika was hostile, confrontational
and rude. She stated her client would probably not be willing to
stipulate. When I mentioned that she had previously, when it was
beneficial to her, communicated she would be happy to stipulate anytime
we needed more time, she said in a very hostile tone, yes, but that was
before we attacked her personally in court and in our brief. I am
personally unable to comprehend how our family's defense of our home and
property rights, albeit a fervent defense, against those who would seek
to steal it, especially those without proof of authority, ownership of
the debt, default caused by us, or any right to our home whatsoever,
could be considered an attack.
18. Wells Fargo employees in differing departments, differing company
levels and differing geographic locations have repeatedly stated
something unusual was going on with our Wells Fargo accounts. Over and
over I have personally heard Wells Fargo employees state Wells Fargo
should not have refused our payments and should have worked with us to
resolve this situation.
19. Wells Fargo prevented our performance, the Nick and Donna Nickerson
family's performance, of timely tendered payments over and over. Wells
Fargo is subject to MCA § 28-1-1301 and MCA § 28-1-1302.
20. Because of this prevention of performance, Wells Fargo and HSBC are
now attempting to steal our home. We did the right thing and are getting
punished. They did the wrong thing and are getting rewarded. I am
personally unable to see the justice in this.
21. I am personally aware myself and the entire Nickerson family want to
keep our property.
22. I am personally aware we have the wherewithal to keep our property.
23. I am personally aware we did not default or commit any act that
should cause us to lose our home.
24. I am personally aware we were prevented from performing by Wells
Fargo.
I affirm under the penalty of perjury that the above is true and
correct.
Stephanie Nickerson
The Testimony of Kristina Wright
To whom it may concern,
I was present with the Nick and Donna Nickerson Family in Helena,
Montana at the Wells Fargo Bank when Donna Nickerson walked in to
Wells Fargo with checkbook in hand and stated to me she was prepared
to make a payment to the bank and was going to see if they would
take it this time. She and members of the Nickerson Family met with
local branch manager Randy. Donna Nickerson came out of the meeting
and stated to me that Wells Fargo had not and was not willing/able
to take the money.
I was present with the Nickerson Family when they met with Wells
Fargo representative Deanna who apparently works in private banking
as a Regional Investment Manager. She listened to the story and
stated it was obvious that the Nickersons are definitely not being
idle and are not slackers. They are working hard and are making
every effort to fulfill all obligations. She attempted to access the
Nickersons account and was unable to determine why the system would
not accept payments. She promised to reach out to Wells Fargo
mortgage representatives and to do everything she could to help, but
she was unsuccessful.
I was present during and personally witnessed and listened to
multiple telephone conversations with Wells Fargo employees. Each
Wells Fargo caller was clearly informed that the Nickersons wanted
to keep the property, had the wherewithal to keep the property, and
intended to fight to do so. The representatives were clearly asked
to make notes accordingly in the system and they agreed to do so.
They called countless times and would consistently admit at the end
of the conversation that they were sorry but there was nothing they
could do to help, they were unable to receive a payment or
facilitate any resolution. As I recall, one of the contacts, Harold
Lovelady, admitted that because of agreements Wells Fargo made with
the state of Montana, and because of the Mortgage Backed Securities
Trust the loan had been placed into, he would not be able or allowed
to help.
I was witness to telephone conversations with Mike Palzes of the
Montana Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection regarding
Wells Fargo’s actions on the Nickerson’s account. He attempted to
negotiate with Wells Fargo on the Nickersons behalf. Wells Fargo
alleged that a large lump sum payment would reinstate the status of
the account. After further discussion, Wells Fargo raised the amount
several times. When pressed for a final figure, Mike said Wells
Fargo had indicated to him that even if a lump sum was paid, it
would not ultimately result in reinstatement of the Nickerson
account, and Wells Fargo would in the end still be unwilling to
facilitate a real resolution with the Nickersons.
I have been present with the Nickerson Family on multiple meetings
and conversations with Jesse Laslovich, the Chief Legal Counsel for
the Montana State Auditor and other Montana agencies. They have all
passed the blame and the responsibility on to the next agency in an
endless loop in which no one will hold the bank accountable for
preventing performance.
I have personally researched the actions of Wells Fargo as a whole
and their conduct and performance with individual and specific
customers. Wells Fargo has been undeniably culpable of fraud,
deceit, unfair acts and practices, prevention of performance, and
bullying or buying off those that stand in their way. They have
willfully circumvented state and federal laws and banking
regulations to seize equity. I have also listened to and examined
people that have firsthand accounts of Wells Fargo’s unjust
practices.
I have personally researched the involvement and liability of HSBC
in this and other foreclosure cases. I have reviewed and examined
the Trust documents and Pooling and Servicing Agreement governing
the Trust HSBC is allegedly the Trustee of. I have reviewed the
status and condition of loans and properties that are a part of the
trust, the dates they were entered, and who authorized the
transactions. I was witness to communication with representatives
from HSBC who stated HSBC is not responsible for foreclosing.
I have personally researched the conduct of Erika Peterman, Peterman
Law Offices, RCO Legal, Northwest Trustee, and other firms and
attorneys associated with foreclosure. Across the state of Montana I
have documented patterns of deception, crookedness, and chicanery
that Erika Peterman and those associated with her have used to
swindle property and homes away from Montana homeowners. She, and
they, have cunningly misled Montana judges and caused them to make
rulings that have needlessly injured homeowners.
I have personally spent many hours at the Montana Law Library with
members of the Nickerson family researching state laws, federal
laws, case laws, banking regulations, and any legal remedies
available to them.
I can personally confirm there is no question the Nickersons have a
high regard for their financial obligations. They have a remarkable
history and outstanding record of meeting and exceeding their
financial commitments.
I can personally confirm that Wells Fargo
refused the Nickersons payments and prevented the performance of the
Nickersons. I watched the Nickersons continue to make diligent
efforts to find a way to make Wells Fargo accept their money but
they were consistently blocked. I have watched the Nickersons
continue to make diligent efforts to fight for their home and stop
Wells Fargo from stealing their property.
I am competent to testify in these matters and affirm under penalty
of perjury the foregoing is true and correct.
Kristina Wright
The Testimony of Jeannie Smith
To Whom this may concern:
My name is Jeannie Smith.
I am writing this letter concerning the Prevention of Performance issues
for Nick and Donna Nickerson. I have personal knowledge and can witness
to them walking into Wells Fargo to make payments and them being
prevented from making their payments. I have been with them on numerous
in person visits to Wells Fargo trying to get somebody to take their
payments. I have been with them when they went to Wells Fargo with money
in hand to make payments, only to be told Wells Fargo would not receive
the payments. I have been present while Donna spent countless hours with
Wells Fargo trying to make payments and trying to resolve
Why their payments were being refused. The
teller would say “this is weird” “the computer will not accept your
payment” “I’ll make notes on your account” etc. I have been with them
when they walked into banks with multiple months of payments and fees
that would completely bring their account current and been refused. I
have also heard Donna on the phone trying to make payments countless
times when Wells Fargo ridiculously refused to accept her payments. I
have heard her confirm with Wells Fargo that this call is being recorded
and pause the conversation until the teller confirmed to her that the
call was being recorded.
This whole situation has been ludicrous. Customers have a lot of banking
choices and it has shocked me that Wells Fargo would stoop to destroy a
good customer who is making their payments, begging to make their
payments, and can make their payments. There are so many people out
there who do not, cannot or will not make their payments. Wells Fargo
should be ashamed, humiliated and prosecuted for their lack of
professional dealings with the Nickersons.
I can fully assure you and have very personal experiential knowledge
that Nick and Donna have made valiant efforts to make every payment and
they did not default on this loan. They have shown high standards about
paying this debt. This is not a flippant issue to them. I have heard
them say how this property is a family heritage to them for many future
generations. It is their dream for their legacy. I have listened for
years to stories about how ownership of this property is Nick and
Donna’s dream and all their children’s dream since they were children to
live and work the land kind of like homesteaders when America was new. I
travelled with Donna and her family to multiple states in search of
their dream location, state, climate, and a specific land that would
fulfill their dreams and purposes. This property fulfilled a long,
careful, intentional, and cherished search and purchase. Losing this
property destroys Nick and Donna, their children, and their
grandchildren’s entire dreams, hopes, and plans for their entire lives.
I KNOW they did not default on this loan and I KNOW that they would do
whatever was required to not default and lose this property. They made
every sacrifice to not default on this loan, to stop this malicious
attack, and to fulfill their financial obligations regarding this
property.
I have witnessed extreme integrity in fulfilling all their
financial obligations. Anyone that knows this family would tell you this
family works harder than any family. They make great sacrifices to make
their dreams a reality. They do the right thing. They work hard. They
are faithful.
Since April 2012 when Wells Fargo first refused to accept
the Nickerson’s payments, stopping these outrageous escapades with Wells
Fargo has been a constant prayer request for the Nickerson family, their
extended family, their friends and myself. I remember very vividly the
trauma and concern the Nickersons felt when Wells Fargo refused their
April 1 payment and they first asked for prayer about this situation.
The shenanigans Wells Fargo had previously attempted with the
Nickerson’s other accounts increased this concern and firmly affirms
that Wells Fargo has directly targeted the Nickersons with malicious and
wrongful actions.
I have had personal interactions with Wells Fargo
employees on behalf of the Nickerson family. I have had personal
interaction with Teresa Koepke at Wells Fargo on behalf of Nickerson
family. Teresa knows the Nickersons well and always had immediate recall
of who Nickersons are when I said I am here to do something for the
Nickerson family. Teresa was always affirming and accommodating for
Nickersons because they are one of her exemplary customers. She tried
hard to help them make their payments and resolve the conflicts with
their account when all this happened, but was unable to do so.
I have
observed Wells Fargo create and cause this entire situation to distract
this family from life, their ministry and their dreams. This has been a
nightmare for the Nickersons, their extended family and their friends
who have watched them suffer at the hands of Wells Fargo. Please use the
power vested in this Court to cease and desist this unnecessary,
wrongful assault on this family.
I swear and affirm under
penalty of
perjury the above is true and correct.
Jeannie K. Smith
The Testimony of Heather Hummel
From Heather Hummel, Wells Fargo Employee
Your Honour:
This letter is written by me, Heather Hummel, on behalf of Donna
Nickerson. I had my first communication with Mrs. Nickerson about six
years ago while I was employed at Wells Fargo, N.A. (the Bank). I would
continue to work closely with Donna for approximately two years
following that initial communication. During that time, I was very much
aware of the issues plaguing the Nickerson's property.
It was during this two year timeframe that I established a very good
professional relationship with Mrs. Nickerson which in turn became a
friendship. During my 17 plus years with the Bank I never encountered a
more honest, hardworking, committed and passionate individual as Donna
Nickerson. I could always count on Donna to keep whatever arrangements
she had made with me. One time I recall that her and her family
delivered thousands of phone books over an entire weekend to ensure she
had the money to make her payment to me. It is this type of tenacity in
dealing with this unfortunate situation for the past six years which
makes me admire and respect her and her family.
During the time I was employed at the Bank I would ask my supervisors
for assistance with the Nickerson's account. I would show management the
errors being made on the home equity account as well as numerous
problems on their mortgage with another lender. I had explained to my
superiors that the value of the property exceeded the original note
amount and suggested that the Bank secure a loan encompassing our note
along with the first, to no avail. I felt this made very good business
sense, especially since the Nickerson's were in the Private Client
Services portfolio. This portfolio gave some advantages to customers who
had large accounts with Wells Fargo, N.A. Mrs. Nickerson never asked the
Bank to take her word on something - she provided proof. She is
organized, resourceful, thoughtful and most importantly a mother trying
to raise her family on the ranch they have worked so hard for.
I believe Donna Nickerson to be an exemplary human being.
Sincerely,
Heather Hummel
More testimony will be added to this page soon. It is time for Wells
Fargo, HSBC, and their accomplices to answer for their abuse of our
family along with all their other undeserving victims. America is a land
of fair play, not a land to secure unjust gain.
This is our
home. We want to keep it. We have and have always had the wherewithal to
keep it. We will fight to keep it.
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