* Local currency = domestic terrorism *
Richard Moore
http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20110319/NEWS01/110319006/1001/news/Libe
rty-Dollar-fake-currency-creator-convicted-federal-court
[cid:B0FDD516-EEE0-4F92-AC49-0E651ADE083D@vodafone]
Liberty Dollar creator convicted in federal court
Written by Clarke Morrison 13:58 GMT, Mar. 19, 2011|
The leader of a group that marketed a fake currency called Liberty
Dollars in the Asheville area and elsewhere has been found guilty
by a federal jury of conspiracy against the government in a case
of domestic terrorism.
Bernard von NotHaus was convicted Friday at the conclusion of an
eight-day trial in U. S. District Court in Statesville. The jury
deliberated less than two hours, according to the Department of
Justice.
Charges remain pending against William Kevin Innes, an Asheville
man who authorities said recruited merchants in Western North
Carolina willing to accept the barter currency, according to court
records. Innes was indicted along with von NotHaus in 2009.
Attempts to undermine the legitimate currency of this country are
simply a unique form of domestic terrorism, U.S. Attorney Anne
Tompkins said. While these forms of anti-government activities do
not involve violence, they are every bit as insidious and represent
a clear and present danger to the economic stability of this
country.
The case was investigated by the FBI, Buncombe County Sheriffs
Office and U.S. Secret Service with help from the U.S. Mint.
We are determined to meet these threats through infiltration,
disruption and dismantling of organizations which seek to challenge
the legitimacy of our democratic form of government, Tompkins said.
Von NotHaus, 67, faces up to 25 years in prison during sentencing,
which hasnt been scheduled. The government also is seeking the
forfeiture of about 16,000 pounds of Liberty Dollar coins and
precious metals valued at nearly $7 million.
According to court documents, von NotHaus founded the National
Organization for the Repeal of the Federal Reserve and Internal
Revenue Code in Evansville, Ind., in 1998, and developed the Liberty
Dollar. He touted the silver medallions as an inflation-proof
alternative to official currency.
The coins were marked with the dollar sign, the words dollar, USA,
Liberty, Trust in God (instead of In God We Trust) and other
features associated with legitimate U.S. coins.
A 2007 affidavit said more than 70 businesses in the Asheville
area agreed to accept the Liberty Dollar. Innes held the title of
North Carolina regional currency officer and was one of three
members of the groups executive committee, an indictment states.
The charges against Innes include passing coins resembling genuine
U.S. coins and intended for use as money, mail fraud and possession
Liberty Dollar coins with intent to defraud. Authorities said when
he was arrested that he faces up to 45 years in prison.
Despite warnings from the federal government, Innes told the
Citizen-Times in 2006 that Liberty Dollars were legal.
One of the first things I did when I started this in Asheville was
to go to the police and tell them what I was doing, he said.
Federal agents raided von NotHaus company headquarters in 2007 and
seized documents and precious metals. A private mint in Coeur
dAlene, Idaho, that produced the coins was raided the same day.
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