Woman claims bank reneged on mortgage write off

A Jefferson County woman claims she faces foreclosure after a bank reneged on its promise to write off the remainder she owed on her mortgage.

Trudie Crutchfield filed a lawsuit May 7 in Jefferson County District Court against Bank of America Corporation formerly known as Countrywide Home Loans.

In her complaint, Crutchfield alleges the bank entered into a settlement agreement with her, promising to "write off the remaining balance owed on Plaintiff's mortgage." The settlement came after Bank of America breached an earlier settlement agreement with Crutchfield, according to the complaint.

"Now defendants are breaching a second settlement agreement," the suit states. "This action is especially contemptible because defendants waited until the agreed judgment became final and then notified plaintiff Trudie Crutchfield that, in spite of the promises made, defendants were foreclosing on her property located at 10456 Church Road, Beaumont, Texas."

Crutchfield seeks a temporary restraining order that would prevent Bank of America from taking any action against her home, plus actual damages, attorney's fees, court costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.

Wyatt D. Snider and Russell W. Heald of Snider Law Firm in Beaumont will be representing her.

Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. E192-419