South Gate Resident, Cancer Patient Fights Eviction

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Supporters of Ana Casas Wilson, 50, a longtime South Gate resident who suffers from stage four-breast cancer and cerebral palsy, stood by her side early this afternoon, as the deadline on her October 24th eviction got closer.  

According to Casas Wilson, Wells Fargo and US Bank have been unwilling to negotiate a loan modification with her, despite the fact that she is now able to make the required regular payments.

Casas Wilson was even arrested in April after picketing the house of Tim Sloan, the Chief Financial Officer of Wells Fargo, while trying to hand him a payment on her foreclosed home.

“I have had it,” said Casas Wilson, from a wheelchair, at a press conference in front of her home. “I am going through chemo right now, I am exhausted.”

According to a press release issued by Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), Casas Wilson, who has been living in her home at 8968 San Juan Avenue for the past 40 years, refinanced it, but fell behind on her mortgage after being struck by cancer in 2009.

Her husband, James Wilson, was forced to quit one of his jobs to take care of her, but is now currently employed by the Lynwood Unified School District.

“Things happen in this lifetime,” said Casas Wilson. “Things happen, that you do not expect.”

According to the ACCE organizers that were present at the conference, Casas Wilson’s doctor, has issued a letter warning that to move her at this time could dangerously jeopardize her health.

“Like thousands of home owners Ana had a crisis,” said Peter Kuhns, a community organizer with ACCE. “It was a health crisis, which turned into a economic crisis.”

Wells Fargo appears committed to its stance, and a spokesperson for the company said the following to the Los Angeles Times. 

"We understand the empathy that people will feel for Ms. Casas Wilson," said Vickee J. Adams, a Wells Fargo spokesperson. "But it's time to move forward. There is no viable option for retention."

After the press-conference, supporters headed towards the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Headquarters in Monterey Park to hand a letter to Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.In the letter, they ask Baca to please not enforce tomorrows eviction order.

Supporters will be spending the night at Casas Wilson’s home to stand by her incase the eviction does go through. 

Patch will publish updates on this story as soon as information becomes available. 

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