Four Title Firms to Pay $3.3M in D.C. Kickback Settlement

Four title insurance companies have agreed to pay a combined $3.3 million in penalties to settle allegations of an illegal kickback scheme in Washington, D.C., according to the Office of the Attorney General. The companies were accused of offering illegal payouts to real estate agents to steer clients to their services. Despite the settlement, all four companies deny any wrongdoing. The scheme was uncovered by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who emphasized that the kickbacks violated homebuyer rights. The companies involved will dismantle their kickback operations as part of the settlement agreement.