Entries by Sebastian Rucci

Civil asset forfeiture reform is sweeping the nation

There’s an under-the-radar fight brewing in Washington, D.C., and in states across the nation. The debate concerns when law enforcement can take private property from citizens via a process known as civil forfeiture. In most states, law enforcement entities can take and keep assets without even charging someone with a crime. The items are usually […]

Civil Forfeiture: Can the Government Really Seize and Take Ownership of My Company’s Assets?

In 2017, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) reported more than $8.2 billion held in its forfeited-assets fund, [1] which is a $600 million increase from the $7.6 billion in the fund in 2016. [2] The cases brought by the government in 2017 show the government’s intent to continue aggressive use of civil asset forfeiture. For […]

Wisconsin Enacts Sweeping Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill protecting residents’ constitutional rights to property and due process. Senate Bill 61 (S.B. 61), sponsored by state Sen. David Craig (R-Town of Vernon), sets new requirements for law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in using civil asset forfeiture to take ownership of individuals’ seized assets or property. In most […]

Two Celebrities Charged With Unlawfully Touting Coin Offerings

Washington D.C., Nov. 29, 2018 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced settled charges against professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. and music producer Khaled Khaled, known as DJ Khaled, for failing to disclose payments they received for promoting investments in Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs). These are the SEC’s first cases to charge touting violations […]

North Dakota Takes A Bite Out Of Civil Asset Forfeiture

On May 2, 2019, North Dakota took a major first step in civil asset forfeiture reform. Governor Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1286, which goes a long way in limiting law enforcement agencies’ ability to arrest people, seize their property, and keep what they’ve seized even in cases where no crime can be proven. Over […]