NEW ORLEANS -- Recently, the five year legal struggle between Capt. Jonathan Rowles and JP Morgan Chase came to a close, with victory in favor of the Marine. However, even though the battle was won, there are still wounds to be healed.
In 2006, Rowles filed a lawsuit on behalf of thousands of active duty service members under the Service Members Civil Relief Act, otherwise known as the SCRA, to protect his home from an illegal foreclosure. The conclusion of this case resulted in the identification of a potential violation of the SCRA by JP Morgan Chase, in which they either erroneously foreclosed on or overcharged approximately 4,000 service members paying mortgages.
SCRA is formerly known as Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act. Its origins can be traced as far back as the Civil War, when Congress passed a total moratorium on civil actions brought against Union soldiers and sailors. It ensured that any legal action involving a civil matter was put on hold until after the soldier or sailor returned from the war. Examples of civil matters included breach of contract, bankruptcy, foreclosure or divorce proceedings.
JP Morgan Chase is acknowledging responsibility and is looking to refund the affected service members.
If you feel you have been affected, in anyway, by this situation contact JP Morgan Chase: 1-877-469-0110
Additional information regarding this story is available at the following links:
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/torrey-shannon/jp-morganchase-accidental_b_810785.html
• http://www.npr.org/2011/01/19/133036957/bank-overcharged-military-families-on-mortgages
Additional information about SCRA and other legal rights of service members is available at the following link:
• http://www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/Topic/Issue/Material.aspx?MaterialID=15924&MaterialTypeID=9