Washington, D.C
DC attorney general uncovers illegal kickback scheme violating homebuyer rights – Washington Examiner
The attorney general for Washington, D.C., announced Thursday a revelation into what the city says is the widespread use of illegal kickback schemes in the title insurance market.
Attorney General Brian Schwalb said multiple companies will pay a combined $3,290,000 after his office revealed they offered real estate agents discounted lucrative interests on ownership and other exclusive profit-sharing in exchange for business referrals that boosted those companies’ revenues. Essentially, these title companies are accused of having recruited real estate agents to offer illegal payouts in exchange for business referrals to their companies.
The attorney general’s office said the “conflict of interest-plagued, anticompetitive arrangements limited District homebuyers’ ability to shop for the best price and service when purchasing title insurance and escrow services.”
“District residents are entitled to make fully informed decisions about how to spend their hard-earned money, especially when it comes to making the high stakes purchase of a home,” Schwalb said in a statement.
“These four companies violated the most fundamental principles of a free and fair marketplace: they exploited consumers, limited their choices, and hurt other businesses that play by the rules. Today, we’re exposing and putting an end to these elaborate and illegal kickback schemes,” he continued.
The companies in question include Allied Title & Escrow, KVS Title, Modern Settlements, and Union Settlements. While the companies did not admit liability, they did agree to end the alleged kickbacks immediately.
The investigation found that Allied Title & Escrow, KVS Title, Modern Settlements, and Union Settlements violated district law by providing real estate agents with lucrative and discounted investment opportunities. In turn, the real estate agents would then make business referrals that generated increased revenue for the companies.
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In exchange for the referrals, the real estate agents received “kickbacks in the form of a split of the profits,” according to Schwalb’s office. Up to $1.75 million from the settlements will be given as restitution to affected consumers.
Some lawmakers have questioned whether title insurance is even necessary in all cases. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden’s administration announced a pilot program that would allow homebuyers to waive title insurance on some refinancing deals. Title insurers paid $600 million in claims on $21 billion in premiums in 2022, according to the American Land Title Association.
Sunday, March 1, 2026 6:36AM
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The San Francisco Ballet board has voted to cancel its upcoming performances at the Kennedy Center.
The company is scheduled for a four-day run in Washington D.C. in May.
Petition urges SF Ballet to cancel Kennedy Center tour stop as company opens 2026 season
Last year, Pres. Donald Trump overhauled the Kennedy Center’s board, including naming himself the chairman.
That led several artists to cancel scheduled performances.
A statement from SF Ballet says the group “looks forward to performing for Washington, D.C. audiences in the future.”
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At 97, Veteran Harley Wero wasn’t up for a trip to the nation’s capital, so volunteers from the Western North Dakota honor flight brought the trip to him. Wero, his wife Muriel and their daughter Jennifer got to experience Washington, DC, without ever leaving their home.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
WASHINGTON – Beginning on Monday, the D.C. Department of Health will be conducting daily tests for E. coli in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers.
It comes more than five weeks after the Potomac interceptor collapse sent millions of gallons of sewage into the river.
The testing will also coincide with an important safety advisory being lifted.
Why it matters:
Director of the D.C. Department of Health, Dr. Ayanna Bennett, says they will begin daily testing for E. coli in the Potomac and Anacostia rivers on Monday, along with help from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Currently, D.C. is only testing weekly.
“We feel really secure that the initial sewage is not a threat to people, it’s passed through some time ago, but we do want to get more information about what the long term condition of the river is gonna be and how we should look at it going forward.”
Big picture view:
Monday is also an important day because it’s when the District is expected to lift its advisory that recommends against recreational activities on the Potomac — we’re talking boating, fishing, walking pets by the water.
It’s important to note, however, that D.C.’s advisory pertains to its portion of the Potomac, and it has no bearing on advisories issued by officials in Maryland or Virginia.
Still, this is being treated by many as a hopeful sign.
What they’re saying:
But significant concerns absolutely remain for residents.
“I’ve had tons of messages from people saying they’re not going to let their kids row crew, they’re not going to go to sailing schools. We catch three million tons of blue cats out of the Potomac River. That season starts next week, and they’re not gonna be able to bring those blue cats to market,” said Dean Naujoks with the Potomac Riverkeepers.
“You knew years ago that parts of this Potomac Interceptor were corroded and vulnerable, especially where it broke, in Cabin John, our neighborhood,” one resident said, speaking at a public meeting in Bethesda on Thursday.
“I know there are small business owners here. Who’s accounting for all of our losses that we’re getting due to your sewer blowing up?” another resident asked.
Officials with D.C. Water, which is a public utility, have been running daily tests and will continue to do so as well.
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