But the complaint’s only evidence was that one of the brothers - it did not say which one - had allegedly “been in contact with” suspected armed robbers of cellular phone stores. Prosecutors say that theft, fraud and money laundering justify the forfeiture. The government wants to keep the $960,100 in cash it took from one of their safe deposit boxes and the $519,000 it took from the other. The lax standard of evidence was apparent in the forfeiture complaint filed Monday against two brothers from Woodland Hills.

The government just needs to prove that it’s more likely than not that the money or property it seeks to confiscate was linked to criminal activity. In civil forfeitures, no criminal conviction is required. attorney’s office denied that and said some of the money it recovers will go to crime victims. Some lawyers for box holders say the government’s entire operation is a “money grab” to acquire tens of millions of dollars for the Justice Department through forfeiture. postal inspector alleged in court papers that Michael Poliak, an owner of the business, has admitted to making money from healthcare fraud and illegal marijuana sales. Private Vaults intentionally marketed itself to criminals by stressing that customers could rent boxes anonymously.Ī U.S. In papers responding to 15 lawsuits and other claims filed by box holders demanding the return of their belongings, prosecutors say U.S. He also said the government had “overstepped its bounds” in its search, seizure and attempted confiscation of the customers’ money and property. Private Vaults on other matters, declined to comment on the charges against the business but said he was unaware of any criminal activity by its owners. Michael Singer, a Las Vegas lawyer who has represented U.S.

attorney’s office in Los Angeles declined to comment on why the case appears to have stalled. Private Vaults appearing in court to enter a plea. The criminal case has remained dormant since then, with no attorney or other representative of U.S. Private Vaults was indicted in February on charges of conspiring with unnamed customers to sell drugs, launder money and structure cash transactions to dodge government detection.

Private Vaults are suing the FBI over its attempt to confiscate gold and silver, jewelry and $86 million in cash from safe deposit boxes. California FBI wants to keep fortune in cash, gold, jewels from Beverly Hills raid.

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