Suit Alleges Longstanding Practice of Reckless Underwriting and Fraudulent Loan Certification for Thousands of FHA-Insured Loans That Ultimately Defaulted WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 10, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Helen Kanovsky, General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"), and David A. Montoya, Inspector General of HUD, announced today that the United States has filed a civil mortgage fraud lawsuit against WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. ("WELLS FARGO"). The Government's Complaint seeks damages and civil penalties under the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 ("FIRREA") for more than 10 years of misconduct in connection with WELLS FARGO's participation in the Federal Housing Administration ("FHA") Direct Endorsement Lender Program.