Asset forfeiture has become a highly controversial and lucrative source of revenue for law enforcement agencies around the US. Through this practice, the state has been able to confiscate billions of dollars in assets from Americans, with many of them never having been convicted of any crime in relation to that confiscation.
For many who have been unfortunate enough to find themselves a suspicious target to law enforcement, they've had their cash confiscated, cars, real estate, and a lot more. All while never being charged or convicted of any wrongdoing in the matter. When these individuals have been targeted via civil asset forfeiture tactics, due process for them has been seemingly violated seeing as no conviction was required in many cases and suspicion alone was enough to warrant confiscating billions in assets.
You can now find dozens of police departments who firmly believe that civil asset forfeiture is an imperative tool that's able to provide a much needed budget enhancement.
And why wouldn't they? After all, reports have disclosed that these funds have frequently been spent to fund law enforcement salaries, vacations, and benefits. They've also been able to purchase a variety of items, everything from raccoon removal services and clowns to military-grade equipment that you'd expect to find in a war zone overseas.
A number of states have tried to impose reforms and push back against an apparent abuse of this police tactic, but those reforms have frequently been met with harsh criticism and opposition from various police professionals. After all, if they don't have asset forfeiture, how else are they going to afford all of their expensive gadgets, vacations, bonuses, and other benefits?
US Marshals Service
The USMS is in charge of managing the money for the Justice Department's AFF (asset forfeiture fund) and they were recently criticized by Sen. Chuck Grassley for their alleged gross mismanagement of funds. It's been alleged that they've engaged in excessive and wasteful spending with the funds.
He went so far as to say that law enforcement agencies have been treating civil asset forfeiture funds as a slush fund for their extravagances. And so if this be the case, should we be surprised when law enforcement agencies are slow or unwilling to make reforms to what affords them such extravagances? Clearly, this policy hasn't been working for the best interest of the general public, many have fallen victim to this policy and believe it to be a corrupt policing-for-profit scheme that threatens due process.
Philadelphia D.A. Office
According to a recent report in the Philadelphia Weekly, the local D.A. Office allegedly spent $7 million in funds, that came from asset forfeiture confiscations, in just the last 5 years. They used the funds to purchase tens of thousands of dollars in submachine guns, custom embroidery for their uniforms, website improvements, many cash withdrawals, and more.
Ohio, Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office
Another recent investigation report, published in City Beat, details how the Hamilton County prosecutor's office allegedly acquired almost $2 million in asset forfeiture funds. And it's alleged that the funds have been regularly accessed in order to fund mundane purchases ($15,000 just on briefcases) as well as controversial consulting contracts.
Chicago Police Department
The Chicago Reader recently published a report on the Chicago Police Department and their controversial use of civil asset forfeiture funds which they allegedly use frequently as an off-the-books source of revenue. It's alleged that with those funds they've been able to bypass oversight in acquiring surveillance technology and other police equipment. They allegedly don't account for the funds in their official budget and the details aren't disclosed to the public.
It's happening all across the country and this practice has been challenged in several states already. Many lawsuits have been launched and people (those with the means) have tried to fight back to regain their property. Still, today there isn't much transparency surrounding the asset forfeiture activity for law enforcement and for this reason and many others; it's a policy that should be immediately brought to a close. Though we probably won't see that happen anytime soon.
The police haven't been forthcoming in their use of civil asset forfeiture funds, so it's taken quite a bit of investigation and Freedom of Information Act requests in order for the truth of the situation to start to come to light. Thanks to those efforts, more people have become aware of the abuse that this policy affords.
If this policy more frequently than not is being used in an abusive manner, then it's obvious that it isn't working within the best interests of the public. Quite the contrary, such a policy endangers them because it erodes due process. And for those who find themselves the victim of this policy, it can be very traumatizing and expensive to weather the storm in trying to get your property back.
Pics:
Pablo Iglesias via Chicago Reader
spaxiax/istock/Getty Images via Vice
pixabay
Sources:
http://www.businessinsider.com/aclu-report-on-police-militarization-2014-8
https://theintercept.com/2017/10/13/ice-hsi-asset-forfeiture-handbook/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/instituteforjustice/2017/09/28/senator-blasts-asset-forfeiture-slush-fund-us-marshals-used-for-granite-countertops-salaries/#4bfeb1bf437c
http://www.citybeat.com/news/article/20975772/joe-deters-assetforfeiture-fund-helps-pay-for-law-enforcement-but-also-for-furniture-briefcases-dues-and-consultants
https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/8qbmmg/the-long-struggle-to-reform-the-system-that-lets-cops-casually-seize-property-and-cash
https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/police-department-civil-forfeiture-investigation/Content?oid=23728922
https://theintercept.com/2017/10/13/ice-hsi-asset-forfeiture-handbook/
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https://steemit.com/news/@doitvoluntarily/doj-looks-to-ramp-up-asset-forfeiture-across-the-u-s
Plans To Revive Civil Asset Forfeiture Fall Flat
https://steemit.com/news/@doitvoluntarily/plans-to-revive-civil-asset-forfeiture-fall-flat
This is just the new method for law enforcement to have a black budget. I guess they couldn't get away with smuggling cocaine anymore. Absolutely sickening that these are the guys that claim to be morally superior to everybody else.
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Great post ! Im not surprised at all , this seems to happen in Canada as well ! And not much ever seems to happen about it . People are finally becoming more aware of this abuse slowly , and all at the tax payers expense again as usual ! Thanks for sharing ! Upped and resteemed !👍👍👍💕💕💕
This is definitely happening. My colorado friends who leave the state are routinely searched in all the surrounding states for drugs. It's a common topic in chronic pain groups - how to drive with rx properly so you don't get in trouble.
One guy had a trailer and opened it for searching in three states on his way moving to florida. No one in his family does any drugs and he said it was very surreal. They need money and this is an easy way to get it.
OMG
I never even thought of that! I live in OR, also a legal state. Imma hafta remember that if I drive out of state...
Get the car detailed and carry nothing. Sad but true - also shield your cards from scanning. Have id for kids and all.
This is the beginning of the terminal plunge.
It's been said that when the state fears the people, the people are free, and when the people fears the state, the state is a tyranny. But when the state can farm people for cash, the people are cash cows, and that means cattle.
As in chattel.
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Thanks for the post and very nice
Money can be an addictive drug. Sad that the police are criminal. Reminds me of that old Rolling Stones Song. Thanks for sharing.
The title is redundant; CAF IS mismanagement and worse a theft than taxes.
It seems to have been stolen money in the first place. The government misusing it is par for the course. They will use most of what they steal from the People to increase the amounts they can steal in the future. This is worse than simple theft.
Just another example of the police trying to be judge, jury, and executioner! Even if they can't find a charge that sticks, they can take your stuff. Extrajudicial punishment. The police should be charged with theft. Anyone who thinks we are not moving in the direction of a police state is blind!
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