The FBI seized safe deposit boxes from a Beverly Hills business accused of money laundering, taking cash and valuables from renters who were not charged with any crimes.
The Institute for Justice argued that the raid violated customers’ Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights.
The federal government’s actions were questioned by the court, with the FBI being accused of overstepping the warrant’s limitations. (Trending: Democrat Accused Of Blocking Release of Jeffrey Epstein Flight Logs)
“I think the public sees this and recognizes that this is just a total abuse of people’s constitutional rights,” Institute for Justice senior attorney Rob Johnson said.
“The search … had an objective function to uncover evidence of crimes,” Johnson argued.
A sensible judge would have “inferred that the inventory could lead to the potential discovery of criminal proceeds in certain boxes, which would then lead to forfeiture,” Judge R. Gary Klausner wrote.
The panel of judges is expected to issue a decision in a few months.
The FBI declined to comment on the pending litigation, while civil asset forfeiture remains a contentious issue.
“It was really nice to hear the judges ask questions that seemed to put the counsel for the FBI on the back foot,” said Jeni Pearsons, a box renter at USPV.
“That they were being truly questioned about the morality of what happened … it was a good feeling to be there in court today.”
“It’s been just a long journey to get accountability for this from the government,” said customer Travis May.
“Obviously, the journey is not over. But today felt very good to have to see that those concerns are being taken seriously.”
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