Fighting Foreclosure: Leslie Parks Illegally Locked Out of Her Home in Minneapolis

Leslie Parks of Minneapolis was locked out of her home after being notified that an agreement would allow her to stay there. This pattern has been repeated throughout the United States.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

Fighting foreclosure, Leslie Parks illegally locked out of her home

By Staff
December 8, 2009

Minneapolis, MN - On the night of Dec. 8, in a freezing blizzard, Leslie Parks returned from her job to find that IndyMac/One West had changed the locks to her home.

Locking Leslie Parks out of her home is illegal. In fact it is beyond illegal, given the struggle that Leslie Parks is waging to keep her home. It is a cynical breach of what all assumed were good faith negotiations on the part of IndyMac/One West.

After the start of national call-in week to IndyMac officials, organized by the Network to Fight for Economic Justice, IndyMac informed Leslie Parks, in writing, on Nov. 25 that they were rescinding both the foreclosure and the sheriffs sale. According to Ms. Parks, "I got an email from IndyMac stating, and I quote, 'In an effort to work with you and your mother and come to a resolution, we have started the process of rescinding the Trusteed Sale which took place on May 29, 2009.' They go on to say, and again I quote, 'You expressed concern that at the end of the redemption period (on Monday November 30, 2009) you and your mother will be evicted from the property. Rest assured, that will not take place due to the rescission of the foreclosure sale.'"

On Monday, Nov. 30, the Parks family and advocates had a phone conference with IndyMac to renew negotiations for the home. But 8 days later, IndyMac locked Leslie Parks out.

The Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout and the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign are putting out an action alert to call IndyMac about this situation.

Bailout lawyers also point out that even if IndyMac had not come to the table, the next step would be a notice to come to court for eviction proceedings. In no case should the locks be changed. "They did the same thing in May of this year - changed the locks illegally. We had to take them to court and fine them, and we will do it again," said Deb Konechne, of the Minnesota Coalition for a People's Bailout.