$193 Million RMBS Suit Against Countrywide Dismissed as Untimely

On January 10, Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer of the United States District Court for the Central District of California dismissed a $193 million suit brought by mutual fund Asset Management Fund against several Bank of America and several related entities, including Merrill Lynch and Countrywide Financial.  The case initially was brought in New York Supreme Court and was removed to federal court and later transferred to be part of the Countrywide Multi-District Litigation.  The plaintiffs brought claims for common law fraud, fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation, and aiding and abetting the fraud of others.  The court held that the suit, alleging misrepresentations regarding the underlying mortgage loans including compliance with underwriting rate of owner occupancy, ratio of LTV, and transfer of title, was untimely under all of the statutes of limitations that could apply.  The court granted Asset Management Fund leave to replead as to the $10 million purchase of RMBS it allegedly made after March 1, 2007.  Decision.