Empowered to steal

This wasn't supposed to happen here

[Reprinted from Issues & Views June 17, 2002]

What happens when you're at the mercy of those who can manipulate the law to their own benefit, and can bring ruin to those who are too weak to oppose them? In updates (8/6/01) and (12/10/01), Issues & Views reported on the phenomenon of "asset forfeiture," whereby citizens can have their money and other properties confiscated by the government, before they are indicted for a crime. Even if there is no indictment and charges are dropped, it is up to the victim to find the means to get his property returned--if the said property is still intact, that is.

The following story demonstrates why, in many cases, property is never retrieved. Although in this case the claim is made that corrupt practices have been "altered," such reports do not come from unlucky victims living in other parts of the country.

The following is excerpted from "U.S. Marshal is Charged in Forfeiture Sales," Newark Star Ledger (6/12/02):

A longtime deputy U.S. marshal in Newark was arrested yesterday on charges that he secretly sold government-seized cars and land to friends and relatives at a discount, then shared the profits when they resold the items at market value.

Federal prosecutors said the officer, Dominick Russo, was able to pull off the scheme because for nearly a decade, he had the sole authority to sell millions of dollars of property seized by federal agencies in New Jersey and parts of New York. The U.S. Marshal Service has since altered that policy.

In one case, Russo allegedly approved the sale of an Ocean City home to a friend for $465,000, nearly $200,000 less than the property was worth. In another, prosecutors say, Russo sold a forfeited 1990 Pathfinder to his mother for $4,200, but altered the paperwork to suggest that a different buyer purchased it. The car was soon resold for $5,000. . . .

The indictment outlines the sale of five cars and three properties that Dominick Russo approved between February 1998 and July 1999. Under Marshal Service policy, seized cars were to be sold at auction and properties publicly listed for sale. But in each case, prosecutors allege, Russo arranged for the deals privately, and submitted false paperwork to appear that the sales and buyers were legitimate.

To keep up to date on news about asset forfeiture, visit the website of Forfeiture Endangers American Rights (FEAR).

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