Bank of America admits error in foreclosure case

NEW PORT RICHEY — It looks like Sharon and James Bullington might be able to stay in their home — for now at least.

The retired couple faced foreclosure after paying a January mortgage payment one week early in December to Bank of America. The following month, the bank rejected their payment because it was made electronically without a signature.

The bank then kicked them out of a loan modification plan and filed to foreclose on the home they have lived in for 15 years.

On Monday, two days after the St. Petersburg Times published an article detailing the saga, Bank of America admitted it made a mistake and said it was putting the couple back into the program. James Bullington, 78, is terminally ill and bedridden. Sharon, 70, is his sole caregiver.

"We apologize to the Bullingtons for this error, and we hope to have a response for them shortly," said Christina Beyer Toth, a Tampa-based spokeswoman. The bank would not provide any more details.

Defense attorney Shawn Yesner said no agreement to settle the case has been reached. He doesn't expect to hear from bank lawyers until Wednesday.