The federal investigation of the unassuming strip mall at West Olympic Boulevard and South Palm Drive has led to allegations of a criminal conspiracy to launder money and distribute illegal drugs. On April 2, federal prosecutors unsealed criminal charges against the safe deposit box business U.S. Private Vaults, claiming the company advertised itself to criminals as a safe place to store valuables and contraband. But according to a lawyer representing clients of U.S. Private Vaults, the government may have overreached in its efforts to uncover malfeasance.
Speaking on behalf of his clients, attorney Benjamin Gluck told the Courier, “Their concern is that the government, without any probable cause or suspicion, has taken away their property and announced that they won’t return it until my clients can prove that they are the ‘legitimate owners.'”
