Articles

Good news in fight to end Michigan’s tax foreclosure abuse

November 29, 2018 | By CHRISTINA MARTIN

In 2011, PLF client Uri Rafaeli of Oakland County, Michigan, accidentally underpaid property taxes by $8. He paid all the following years’ taxes on time. But in 2014, after making his first tax payment for the year, he discovered that the County had foreclosed on his home to collect the $8 debt, plus about $277 … ...

Articles

PLF asks Michigan Supreme Court to stop theft by tax collectors

January 12, 2018 | By CHRISTINA MARTIN

For the sake of justice, the Michigan Supreme Court should step in and secure to Uri Rafaeli, Andre Ohanessian, and people across Michigan what rightfully belongs to them. … ...

Articles

PLF Asks Michigan Supreme Court to Hold Government Accountable for Theft

December 07, 2017 | By CHRISTINA MARTIN

PLF filed an application asking the Michigan Supreme Court to grant review and bring justice to Uri Rafaeli—who lost an entire home to Oakland County over an $8 debt, and to Andrew Ohanessian—who lost 2.7 acres over a $6,000 debt. … ...

Articles

When does a $8.41 tax bill cost you $24,215?

October 27, 2017 | By CHRISTINA MARTIN

In January 2013, Uri Rafaeli’s business—Rafaeli, LLC—tried to pay the overdue taxes for a modest rental home in Southfield, Michigan.  Rafaeli miscalculated the interest due for the delinquent 2011 taxes and underpaid by $8.41. A year later, Oakland County foreclosed on the property. The County then auctioned the property for $24,500 and ...

Articles

Michigan county confiscates private property over $8 in late taxes

August 05, 2016 | By CHRISTINA MARTIN

Does the Constitution protect you from the government taking your equity in your home, land, or business? That’s the question Andrew Ohanessian and Rafaeli,LLC are asking the Michigan Court of Appeals in Rafaeli v. Oakland County. Rafaeli owed the County $8 for overdue taxes, which amassed to $285 in taxes, interest, and fees when the … ...