A class action lawsuit claims Michigan ignores due process when overseeing tax foreclosures. The Gongwer news service first reported on the lawsuit. Plaintiffs say the state does not hold impartial hearings so that people can appeal foreclosure decisions.

“Despite the Michigan Legislature’s 1999 overhaul of the tax foreclosure process, the State is stuck in time and completely disregards one of the opportunities for a delinquent taxpayer to make the case that the State should not be allowed to take their property for delinquent taxes via a show cause hearing,” the lawsuit reads. “Instead, the State convenes its own non-judicial mass meetings with delinquent taxpayers in Lansing, Michigan. “

The state handles tax foreclosures for several counties. The state lists Branch, Clinton, Dickinson, Iosco, Keweenaw, Livingston, Luce, Mecosta and Shiawassee counties, and the lawsuit claims Michigan also oversees tax foreclosures in Eaton County.

The Michigan Department of Treasury declined to comment…