United Wholesale Mortgage and its chief marketing officer are distancing themselves from the Katie Sweeney legal saga, denying they have undue influence over a broker trade group.

The company and its CMO Sarah DeCiantis formally responded to Sweeney's accusations last week, part of her fight to recoup $300,000 from the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts. Sweeney, who's since moved to Rocket Pro, claims UWM leaders pressured AIME to act as an extension of the wholesale giant and bar promotion of channel competitors. 

Those allegations are part of Sweeney's larger case that claims UWM forced AIME last year not to pay her a $240,000 bonus and a remaining $60,000 of a $240,000 severance payout. That reversal came despite DeCiantis purportedly negotiating and approving the AIME CEO's exit package in 2024.

In a Jan. 16 filing, UWM and DeCiantis denied greater involvement, although they admitted to some close interactions with AIME's leadership. The trade group previously stated that the lender, its title sponsor, has no authority over its board of directors. 

Further, AIME has also alleged Sweeney directed over $900,000 to herself during her time leading the organization, accusations that she has also denied. 

The case now sits in a Michigan federal court, after Sweeney's complaint was elevated to a Texas federal court last spring. The sides have entangled additional mortgage players in the litigation, although only AIME, UWM, Sweeney and DeCiantis are named parties. 

Neither business nor attorneys for the parties responded to requests for comment Wednesday. 

UWM acknowledges some further involvement with AIME

The lender denied that its executives, DeCiantis and President and CEO Mat Ishbia, pressured AIME leaders in text messages, phone calls and emails to "behave in ways that directly benefited UWM."

The company however was in the know regarding certain internal AIME business. The defendants acknowledged learning of an AIME employee's embezzlement, and that Sweeney sought guidance in July 2023 regarding the situation. When Sweeney mulled firing AIME President Marc Summers for his alleged handling of the situation, DeCiantis defended Summers — a detail Sweeney denies. 

A month later Sweeney wrote a list of demands to DeCiantis seeking to strengthen AIME's independence from UWM, and later resigned when DeCiantis wouldn't agree to all of her terms. The defendants admit there was a written document, but otherwise deny any interference. 

DeCiantis also admitted to preparing and approving Sweeney's transition package, but denied the characterization that UWM controls AIME. In 2025, a year removed from her departure, Sweeney sought full payment of her 2023 bonus, sparking the legal battle. 

AIME, founded by Anthony Casa in 2018, offers its broker members local client referrals, vendor discounts, and hosts an annual event. Sweeney departed to the Broker Action Coalition in 2024, before joining Rocket Cos. broker channel last January as executive vice president of strategy and broker advocacy.