Consequences of a fake mechanics lien

Bought a property at auction, 1st TD, recorded in 2008.
1st NOD in 2010, another one in 2011. Some guy records then a mechanics lien (ML) in 2011.
Auction in 2012.

No lis pendens after the ML.
The ML asks to pay interest going back to 12/2007 [prior to the loan!]

This would make the ML senior to the TD. The ML document describes the work performed and while he may have indeed done it, it sounds like a 4 months project ($35k + 7k interest is owed). No way it could take from 2007 all the time to 2011 to complete.

Not to mention, no suit was filed after the ML.

The filer never had a valid contractor's license either.


All these issues were known to me prior to bidding, of course.

But title companies disagree now with my findings.


(The filer of the ML is a friend of the previous owner.)

I want to push him now to rescind the ML, obviously without paying him. Shouldn't there be some (legal) consequence if someone files 'fraudulent mechanic's liens'?