This is a prime example of just how above the law banks have become: First National Bank broke into Katie Barnett's house and stole all her stuff, and not only are we not talking about someone going to jail, but the bank is being allowed to quibble over whether it will pay her back for the full value of what they stole.

Via:

“(They) demanded that I had receipts for all my stuff that they threw away,” Barnett said. “And I said, ‘Well, you know first of all, I don’t have receipts for all of my stuff. I wasn’t expected a bank to come and to accidently repossess my house and throw it all away. And second, if I did, where do you think it would be? In my house with all my belongings?’”

She said that everything from clothes to patio furniture to pool supplies was disposed of.

“This is the basketball hoop. They actually gave it to one of our neighbors, and the neighbors ended up giving it back to us. That is the only thing we’ve gotten back.

The bank has tried, though, Barnett said.

The homeowner said that one of the most expensive items she lost was a Bowflex home gym.

“And then they called me saying they found a Bowflex on the side of the road if I wanted it. I said no. You know my Bowflex was a Bowflex Ultimate. We paid, like, $2,300 for it; had all the attachments and the feet pieces and stuff. You know I said ‘no, I want it replaced. I don’t’ want – you know – trash found on the side of the road,” Barnett said.

First National Bank of Wellston admits that it had no right to be in Katie Barnett's home, since it was her neighbor whose home was being foreclosed. The Bank also apologized in a statement on their website. But the bank doesn't think it should have to pay for everything it took and trashed, sold, or gave away. Katie only asked for $18,000 to replace her items, which seems more than reasonable to replace everything that she owned in a houseful of clothing, furniture and other belongings.

Daily Kos has a petition that you can sign that calls on the bank to pay Katie Barnett at least $18,000 here.

After this bank's fustercluck, and insulting attempts to replace her items with roadside trash...surely there's an attorney who would take Katie's case (Assuming that she doesn't already have an attorney), even if payment would need to be made after winning this one in court. Mental anguish, the inconvenience, the cost of buying everything essential for daily living as they even took her family's clothing -- I'd say $118,000 sounds about right.

How's that sound to you, Eric Emmert, president and CEO of First National Bank of Wellston?