Judge puts RI foreclosure cases on hold

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Rhode Island's new federal judge makes a decision that could affect dozens of Rhode Islanders facing foreclosure.

Judge John McConnell, Junior has ordered the bulk of mortgage foreclosure cases in before Rhode Island's U.S. District Court to be put on hold, and for banks to try and negotiate with homeowners.

63 foreclosure cases in Rhode Island are affected.

One of the homeowners taking interest in the ruling is Philip Aceto, whose Cranston home is in foreclosure.

"I feel vindicated," Aceto said, "I feel this judge has made a fair decision."

Aceto blames a title issue for landing his home in foreclosure.

"It stops the banks and the services in their tracks," said George Babcock, a Pawtucket attorney who is handling the majority of the foreclosure cases.

"It gives them opportunity to sit with the magistrate," Babcock said, "and with the bank or servicer to try and work out a reasonable deal."

The idea Babcock says is to keep Rhode Islanders in their homes.