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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Feb. 2, 2011 – The Florida Bar says attorneys have an obligation to report suspected foreclosure fraud to a judge.

An article in Monday’s bar newsletter says that applies even if the foreclosure case is over and the house has been sold.

The advice comes amid state investigations into practices at several major Florida foreclosure firms. These include forged signatures, backdated documents and “robo-signers” who falsely claim to have verified mortgage paperwork.

Bar officials say it’s unclear what judges will do if notified about fraud in a finished foreclosure. In pending cases judges could halt the proceeding while the allegations are investigated.

There have been some 1.7 million home foreclosures in Florida since 2007.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press.