United States v. One 1987 Mercedes Benz 300E, VIN: WDBEA30D6HA400110 VA Tag MVI 688

MEMORANDUM OPINION

ELLIS, District Judge.

I

This forfeiture dispute grows out of unusual facts and raises the question whether the former owner of a forfeited automobile can recover all or part of his equity in the automobile where, as here, the automobile was purchased in part with legitimate funds and in part with proceeds from an illegal extortion scheme. For the reasons that follow, the former owner’s claim .fails, and the government is entitled to summary judgment.

II

The essentially undisputed facts that led to the forfeiture- are a fascinating reminder that fiction often pales in comparison…