BERRIEN COUNTY — Residents described what they called widespread foreclosure-deed fraud during public comment at the Berrien County Board of Commissioners meeting, urging the board to back state legislation and increase local oversight.

Tony Anderson of St. Joe Township told the board he has seen cases in which a local company bought a homeowner’s deed for $1,000 while the homeowner later said he had no recollection of signing it. “They bought the deed for this guy's house for a thousand dollars…he had no recollection of ever signing this deed,” Anderson said.

Jordan Clint of Lake Township told the board he has tracked at least 111 similar transactions and said the group targeted vulnerable residents. “In those 111 transactions, they're averaging $52,000 per transaction of what they're defrauding on these houses,” Clint said, adding one example in which a family lost about $214,000 of equity.

Both speakers urged the county to support two pieces of pending state legislation, which Anderson and Clint identified as House Bills 5152 and 5153. Commissioners did not debate the bills at length during the meeting but publicly commended the law-enforcement official identified by speakers. Commissioner [name in transcript: Thaddeus referenced] received praise from at least one commissioner for bringing the issue forward.

Why it matters: Commenters say the transactions strip equity from elderly and vulnerable homeowners and that local social services and outreach are insufficient to protect those residents. They asked the board to use its channels to encourage stronger state and local protections.

What the board will do next: The board heard public support for a county resolution related to foreclosure-auction protections; the chair and staff indicated the county’s resolution will be sent on to Lansing for consideration along with constituent comments. The county attorney was asked to meet with residents who spoke to address questions before the item moves further.

Context and limits: Commenters alleged specific numbers and dollar amounts; those claims were made during public comment and were not adjudicated at the meeting. Commissioners, while praising the work of local enforcement and staff, did not adopt new local ordinances during this session.

The meeting moved on after the public-comment period; the full board later adopted the remaining consent items and separately considered a MobileCAD resolution.