OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The man who authored a 35,000-word, 700-page report that he claims proves Osceola County homeowners fraudulently lost their homes to foreclosure spoke publicly about that report Thursday.
The news conference was in response to last week's report by Channel 9's Jorge Estevez that featured an expert who questioned the validity of the report.
Forensic examiner David Krieger began the news conference by defending his report. He then accused the Osceola County Sheriff's Office of not properly investigating, despite 17 boxes of information and 156 cases where he and his team allegedly found fraud.
"Not surprising is that this report has hit an apparent nerve in many governmental quarters, enough to cause a smear campaign to be generated in an apparent attempt to deflect away from a much bigger issue," forensic examiner David Krieger said.
After finishing the news conference with, "I have made all the commentary I intend to make it this time," Krieger walked out without answering any questions about his findings.
Those findings, reported on by Estevez last week, were scrutinized by a lawyer who specializes in foreclosures.
As he raced from the building, Krieger refused to answer Estevez's questions about the report or published reports indicating he is a convicted felon.
Osceola County Clerk of Courts Armando Ramirez talked about why he commissioned the report.
"The people are entitled to know the truth. That's why I was compelled to do what I have done," Ramirez said.
Raw: Clerk of Courts on foreclosure report
He also reacted to Sheriff's Department officials contentions that they have not found any criminal activity.
"I am appalled. I am very disappointed. However, I'm not going to judge to sheriff," Ramirez said.
An Osceola County sheriff's representative told Estevez that the department stands by their previous statements that they have not found any criminal wrongdoing.
State Attorney Jeff Ashton, who was given the report to look over, released the following statement to Channel 9:
“After examining Mr. Krieger’s documents, I met with Mr. Ramirez and encouraged him to report his concerns to any law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the matter. I also assisted him in determining that the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office was the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction. As the State Attorney, I have no authority to order any law enforcement agency to undertake investigations. I am confident Sheriff Hansell is being thorough in investigating all aspects of this matter.”
State Attorney Jeffrey L. Ashton
WFTV
