In the ongoing drama surrounding a controversial federal raid of a Beverly Hills safe deposit box company, the U.S. government is now being accused of botching the return of seized property. In March, a multi-agency raid spearheaded by the FBI seized hundreds of lock boxes from the company, which government officials alleged operated as a front for money laundering and drug trafficking. As a result of the raid, the U.S. government walked away with the contents of 800 safe deposit boxes containing over $85 million in cash and precious metals, jewelry, and other valuables. But, according to attorneys for patrons of U.S. Private Vaults, the government has exceeded the guidelines of its search warrant and in some cases failed to return people’s property.
In one such case, a semi-retired octogenarian pseudonymously listed in a complaint as Dr. Linda R claims that the government has failed to return at least $75,000 in gold coins she stored at U.S. Private Vaults.
