Viewing Thread:
"Because I haven't read this in a looooong time."

I forgot about this and watched a documentary last night about it, and it still rages me that this happens.

http://www.geocities.com/ CapitolHill/ Senate/9552/asset.html


(remove spaces naturally)

I have looked Goaty - I looked over loads of your other pages and followed some of your links and also did a search myself.

I was hoping to find more about Ethyl Hylton and to find some information stating that the case had been resolved and everybody was living happily after but no - all I could find was more stuff explaining what had happened and why she could not get her money back etc.

It just does not seem possible that in our so called civilised society in the west that things like this could actually happen and go un-noticed, unresolved and unpunished.

Obvioulsy several civil rights groups etc in the USA have been behind this and many other cases but are getting nowhere.

As I said before - I just find it unbelievable that this goes on - but it does and there ain't a darn thing you and I can do about it. Just dont ever draw your fortune out and carry it around in a suitcase !

But what is happening is not illegal - that's the point.
Immoral, yes. How do you fight something that is government approved and sanctioned?

If it was that simple, then this wouldn't happen at all but it does.
And the support groups listed have done more research than any of us about this law.

If it confuses you, angers you or you think it's bull - then go and research it for yourself instead of just taking one page at face value.
The info is out there and then by all means comment.

I don't really know what I can add to this lot.

It just seems incredulous that this sort of thing can actually happen. I also find it hard to believe that there is not more to it. As Ripper said - surely any lawyer would willingly take on these kind of cases cos there's an easy money earner for them.

How can property be charged with a crime?

Property does not offend, those who make use of it do. What an absolute absurdity.

How can one walk up to, say, a house, slap some cuffs on the letterbox, and read it its rights? And again, what is the charge?

This house is guilty of, err... ... ...

And that womans money in the story below, what offence had that made?
"You are under arrest for suspicion of being withdrawn from an account without permission from the account owner, who is herepresent to deny that this is the case... oh. darn."

No crime, no charge. Any case like this, and I mean ANY case like it will have any half-decent lawyer foaming at the opportunity to take it up on a no-win no-fee basis, funding the case wouldn't even be a problem.

I'm sure there are some cicumstances where such an action might be warranted, but mugging a woman for her life savings without proof of any crime on part of either her or her property is mugging, and she would not only get her money back, she would get interest, punitive damage, and the officers involved done for grand theft, fraud and conspiracy.

Jeez.

Mr Ripper wrote:
> the way that article is written, sounds like the authorities can just
> turn up on your doorstep one day and start shipping off your
> belongings, without any charge, or even proof of offence. I don't
> believe that for a minute.
---

And that's why so many legal support groups are finding this a lot more insidious that it appears.
Because that is exactly what is happening, as with Donald Scott.
The Ventura DA decided that the case made against him was illegal, agents had lied to obtain the Forfeiture Bill and there was no evidence whatsoever of illegal activity at his residence, workplace or private life.

Not all cases are that serious, but this Bill gives agencies license to seize your assets with zero proof. It is only the "indication" of illegal activity that merits them seizing goods, and then the victim has to try and appeal/fight with no access to anything at all.

But the point is, it is the property that is charged with the crime, taking out of criminal jurisdiction and placing it into civil.

Where the burden of proof has to be provided by you. And bear in mind that whilst trying to bring civil action, you have no access to funds in which to pay for this.
It is not down to the government to prove you did it, it is down to you to prove you didn't.

And all the while you are trying to sue the government with minimal (if any) financial support, you have absolutely nothing to your name.
And any funds you raise to bring action can also be seized if considered "tainted".

There are a vast number of cases being fought by support groups, themselves under investigation now that the applicable criteria for Asset Forfeiture has extended to "Political" activities as well as criminal.

the way that article is written, sounds like the authorities can just turn up on your doorstep one day and start shipping off your belongings, without any charge, or even proof of offence. I don't believe that for a minute.

If that happened to anyone, all you have to do is sue the authorities that robbed you. You don't have to mention "legal representation against asset forfeiture", you just charge them with grand theft and watch them burn.

And that's how they get away with that sort of thing.

Go and check this stuff out yourself Ripper. Whilst a lot of asset forfeiture cases are warranted and do serve a purpose, it's the amount of cases that are plain illegal that causes concern and, currently, a Senatorial Investigation.

But that ain't gonna do squat with billions at stake for agencies to spend as they see fit.

how do the police justify siezing the life savings of a woman who has not only not committed a crime, but has also done absolutely nothing out of the ordinary?

If that story happened as it was told, it's not "asset forfeiture", but outright theft.

I think there is more to that story than is being told.