Anthony and Bernidine Valentine bought a residence in Spring Hill, Florida in August of 2006. They live in the home with their minor son.

In November 2006, they sent their mortgage payment in two installments. Both installments arrived before the late payment date. However, Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., now owned or controlled by Bank America, applied the payments to the Valentines'' escrow account, marked them late for the month of November, and reported this false information to the credit bureaus.

All of this was done, even though the mortgage agreement clearly lays down the order in which received payments are to be applied. The first two items in the order are principle and interest. The escrow account is way down on the list.

The Valentines fought this case in court for over a year. It was finally brought before Jack Springstead, a Hernando County Florida Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Springstead granted Countrywide a summary judgement, even though they presented no evidence to refute their own payment history, and even though the following did not occur concerning Countrywide: no proof of ownership of mortgage, refusal to provide documents, recordings and other items properly requested, no evidence to show that they did not commit fraud, breach of contract or negligence.

The Valentines feel that there might have been some interaction between Mr. Springstead and one or more lawyers from the law firm representing Countrywide, but currently have no information to prove it.

Also, in Florida in general there is a dislike of citizens who wish to exercise their constitutional right to represent themselves. Many judges actually try to make things tough for pro se litigants.

The Valentines are currently filing an appeal and a separate law suit on the other matters.

They welcome any information from other victims of Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., the Hernando County Circuit Court, especially concerning Jack Springstead, The Florida Default Law Group and other foreclosure fraud.

Countrywide literally had their cake and ate it too, in this case.