Introduction
In a distressing turn of events, a St. Louis resident, Jay Brandon, was the victim of a property scam facilitated by the local Recorder of Deeds Office. This incident marks the second time a resident has reported being scammed out of their home, raising concerns about the office’s oversight and procedures.
The Initial Purchase
Jay Brandon purchased a house in North St. Louis for $15,000, only to discover three days later that ownership had been transferred to someone else through a quitclaim deed. The house, which he intended for his family, was sold for $2,000 to an alleged scammer. Brandon was unaware of the transfer until he noticed unusual activity at the property.
Discovery of the Scam
Brandon saw people at the property and inquired about their presence, only to learn that a new owner had hired them to clean out the house. Confused and alarmed, Brandon investigated further and discovered that the St. Louis Recorder of Deeds had processed a quitclaim deed transferring ownership without his knowledge or authorization.
Efforts to Resolve the Issue
Upon realizing the fraudulent transfer, Brandon rushed to the Recorder of Deeds Office at City Hall. The office informed him that he needed to file a police report first. He complied, showing the St. Louis police evidence that he was the rightful owner and had not authorized the transfer. The police confirmed the property was still legally his, but were uncertain about the next steps to rectify the situation.
Irregularities in the Quitclaim Deed
Brandon identified several red flags on the quitclaim deed. His name was signed backwards, with his last name first, a clear indication of forgery. Additionally, the same individual was listed as both a witness and the recipient of the property. Despite these obvious discrepancies, the Recorder of Deeds Office approved the deed.
Previous Similar Incident
Brandon was not alone in his plight. He had seen a news story the previous month about attorney Bernadette Brown, who lost her house under similar circumstances. In her case, the Recorder of Deeds Office had approved a quitclaim deed with a fraudulent notary seal. Despite the clear evidence of fraud, the office had failed to verify the notary’s legitimacy.
Recorder of Deeds Office Response
Michael Butler, the St. Louis Recorder of Deeds, previously commented on Brown’s case, stating that it was not the office’s responsibility to verify the authenticity of notary seals. He explained that the office processes over 60,000 documents annually and insisted that no mistakes were made in their procedures. However, Butler had no comment on Brandon’s case and did not address the broader issue of fraudulent property transfers.
Lack of Accountability and Next Steps
Both the Recorder of Deeds Office and the St. Louis City Council’s Office declined to comment on Brandon’s situation. In a bid to seek justice, Brandon contacted the St. Louis City Circuit Attorney’s Office. The office promised to investigate and get involved in these cases, offering a glimmer of hope for affected residents. Investigative reporter Elliott Davis, who covered Brandon’s story, vowed to keep the public updated on any developments.
Conclusion
The cases of Jay Brandon and Bernadette Brown highlight significant vulnerabilities in the property transfer process managed by the St. Louis Recorder of Deeds Office. The apparent ease with which fraudulent quitclaim deeds can be processed raises serious concerns about the office’s oversight and accountability. As affected residents seek legal recourse, the hope remains that increased scrutiny and potential policy changes will prevent future incidents and restore confidence in the system.
