Do you hear that sound? That thunderous sound reverberating through the floors and walls of homes across America? Know where the sound is coming from?

It's coming from the dancing happy feet belonging to several years worth of dissatisfied consumers, as well as hundreds displaced employees that were caught in a corporate tsunami in August of 2007. That's when First NLC, choking on its own sub-prime stew, shut 18 offices across the nation and released several hundred employees, in an effort to stem the losses that they were bound to encounter as the subprime mortgage mess escalated. Over the course of a few weeks last summer, First NLC and its subsidiary companies, acting under the premise of restructuring policies installed by new parent company, Sun Capital, closed offices and pushed hundreds of employees into the unemployment line. Many of these employees were seen as liabilities for the company, but not in the way one would think. No, most of the people let go were employees that went against the corporate grain, attempting to execute their jobs in fair, ethical, and lawful manners. These people were seen as threats to a company who pushed, prodded, and cajoled its loan officers and telemarketing reps to engage customers in a manner that was ambiguous and flirted with the law. These practices have been reported by many consumers on popular 'rip-off' websites that track the actions of businesses with a reputation for bad service, poor conduct, or questionable business practices. These policies were in place for several years, and the practices and techniques employed by this now-dying company were aimed at misleading and targeting hapless homeowners. It is a point of fact that this company singled out credit-challenged consumers in a campaign to swell their mortgage pools with risky investment bundles. Employees were often instructed to ignore 'A paper' borrowers, as these individuals were more likely to be suspicious of First NLC's (also known as the Lending Center) loan programs, guidelines, and practices. Some employees had reported harsh treatment by supervisors, up to and including termination, if they attempted to work with any borrower who exceded a certain credit score. Likewise, if an employee spoke out against a questionable practice, they were disciplined or shown the door.

But now it seems that this disreputable company has found its way into a corner. Chapter 11 filing should be the least of its concerns (though this news brings pure elation to many who see the company as corrupt corporate bird of prey); this week, it was disclosed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement officials are investigating more than 14 lenders whose names appear to be at the heart of illegal practices that cost homeowners and unsuspecting investors millions of dollars. Given the history and profile of the companies like First NLC, it only seems logical to think that First NLC's Florida headquarters could be on the itinerary for state and federal investigators as the nefarious subprime lender hunt grows. Where the investigations will lead and what will be unearthed is anyone's guess, but for now the dancing feet of those beleaguered homeowners and the wrongfully terminated will go on tapping in jubilation for some time to come. For justice is a sweet tune when it finally reaches the disheartened ear.