umn.local-lists.techc-email
Sim...@umn.local-lists.techc-email
is a feature of the
* same group of laws that places the burden of proof on the victim. In
* other words, rather than the government having to prove that Alvarez
* had violated the statute before it seized his money, Alvarez had to
* prove that he was innocent of any wrongdoing before he could get it
* back. Further adding to the profound unfairness of the seizure process
* is an incredible provision that anyone who wants to challenge an action,
* who wants his day in court, must file a bond with the government of
* either $5000 or 10 percent of the value of the seized property. Alvarez
* had to borrow the money from his credit cards.
*
* The Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathon R. Howden, flooded by financial
* statements by Alvarez's defense attorney (who was a retired career
* criminal investigator with the IRS), admitted he would not take the
* case to court. That step took seven months.
*
* However, Howden made an astonishing attempt to keep half of the $88,000
* the government had seized from Alvarez's bank account. Howden offered
* Alvarez two options: settle the matter by agreeing to a 50 percent
* forfeiture, or the money will be returned to the IRS, who might keep
* it. Alvarez's lawyer called his bluff and got the money
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: PGPfreeware 9.6.4
rUrmCXWw4ZmcCK1LXvrOp2xY6y4sH2UPw2iHfcT9uGLUGBoGuZFgrkSlh+ULa593
ip2/JN72lVnfuHfLzNEZu7at6C0OQ9BvuKEGjE/Mk2TwMaY28eDZVOEZxjJV9yj4
uCR0qTotx2kLcx+a2HHABDNbZvRkps28uLEK9fDHRHgBzpU3RBUvcoTgCA2+2IDA
1XRXbNwC++KLW6cwILyuWjg1hYJvTXWOIa==
=N9I5
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----