Foreclorsure convictions in Chicago and surrounding areas were put on hold Tuesday after admissions by leading lenders that employees had verified some foreclosures without reading the documents.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart ordered deputies to stop carrying out mortgage foreclosure evictions in Chicago and asked state prosecutors for information about questionable practices by lenders. "This is so outrageous," Dart said. "These poor families are being put through this day in and day out by people who don't do their jobs."

Dart singled out Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, and GMAC/Ally Financial, saying he will not enforce the 1,000 to 1,500 evictions filed with his office if he doesn't receive affidavits from the institutions veryfing the orders. "It's so hard for me to stomach these people, because this isn't just their bike we're taking away, or their car. It's their house," Dart told reporters.

A spokesman for JP Morgan Chase declined to comment on the moratorium.

If you are facing foreclosure, an experienced attorney can advise you on your options. Please contact the Maryland foreclosure defense lawyers of Chaifetz & Coyle, P.C., by calling 443-546-4608.