United States v. $239,500 in U.S. Currency, Arthur Clyde Ellis, Jr., and Free Zone Bank, Ltd., Claimants-Appellants

The sole issue in this forfeiture case is whether the district court erred in ordering that defendant currency be forfeited and that appellants’ claims of an interest in the currency be stricken for their failure to comply with an order of the court directing their appearance for deposition. 31 U.S. C.A. § 5317(c); Fed.R.Civ.P. 37(b). Finding that the district court did not abuse its discretion, we affirm.

The Government filed a complaint alleging that Arthur Clyde Ellis violated 31 U.S. C.A. § 5316 by attempting to board a plane bound for Costa Rica from the United States without reporting…