FHFA Can Pursue Claims Against Non-Debtor Affiliates of Residential Capital

On July 17, Judge Denise Cote of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) can pursue certain RMBS-related claims against affiliates of Residential Capital LLC (“ResCap”). ResCap, which has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, brought a motion before Judge Cote to enjoin the FHFA from pursuing claims against ResCap’s non-debtor affiliates or, in the alternative, to extend the automatic stay protection afforded by its Chapter 11 status. Judge Cote denied ResCap’s motion. The underlying FHFA complaint alleges that defendants (including Ally Financial, Ally Securities, and GMAC Mortgage) made false or misleading statements or omissions in the offering materials for $6 billion worth of RMBS. Decision.