United States v. $20,193.39 U.S. Currency

RYMER, Circuit Judge:

Claimant Zareh Berberian appeals the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the United States in the government’s civil forfeiture action pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(A). The district court held that as an unsecured creditor, Berberian lacked standing to challenge the forfeiture of the defendant property. We have jurisdiction, 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.

I

In February 1989, a grand jury issued a 27-count indictment against Vahe Andonian, Nazareth Andonian, and eight others. A petit jury convicted the Andonians and others of one conspiracy count and…