On August 4, 2011, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman moved to intervene in the June 29, 2011 settlement between Bank of America and Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”), the trustee for 530 trusts created by Countrywide entities. The Attorney General argued that the settlement should not be approved because it was negotiated by BNYM and Bank of America, without input from other beneficiaries who would also be bound by the settlement. According to the Attorney General, he moved to intervene to protect the marketplace, the interests of New York investors, and the Attorney General’s own ability to pursue claims against BNYM, Countrywide, Bank of America, and affiliated entities. NYAG Motion to Intervene.

The Attorney General also attached a proposed pleading to his motion to intervene that described the proposed settlement as “unfair” and included counterclaims against BNYM for breach of fiduciary duty and violations of state anti-fraud statutes, including the Martin Act. These causes of action arise out of BNYM’s alleged failure to properly transfer loans from Countrywide to the trusts and its failure to notify certificateholders of Countrywide’s delivery of incomplete mortgage files. NYAG Proposed Pleading in Intervention.

A few days earlier, on August 2, 2011, Cranberry Park, who allegedly owns securities in 28 of the 530 trusts at issue, also moved to intervene, arguing that BNYM may not adequately represent its interests in the settlement. If the judge grants these motions to intervene, the Attorney General and Cranberry Park will become parties to the settlement proceedings before the New York Supreme Court. Cranberry Park Motion to Intervene.