USA v. 125000 dollars in US Currency et al

Filing 12

CONSENT ORDER OF FORFEITURE The $125,000.00 in Defendant Funds forfeited herein shall be disposed of by the United States in accordance with law. All other claims in or to the Defendant Funds are hereby forever foreclosed and barred. Signed by Honorable Joseph F Anderson, Jr on 4/4/13. (mflo, )

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
COLUMBIA DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plaintiff,
vs.
$125,000 IN FUNDS
Defendant In Rem.
Steve Griebe, Claimant

) Civil Action No.: 3:12-3448-JFA
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) CONSENT ORDER OF FORFEITURE
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The above-entitled in rem forfeiture action was initiated on December 6, 2012. The
case concerns the proposed forfeiture of $125,000 in funds (the “Defendant Funds”) from
account number XXXXXX533 with Vista Bank (the “Subject Account”), for alleged
involvement in violations of 31 U.S.C. § 5324(a) (structuring of currency transactions). The
Complaint alleges that the Defendant Funds are subject to forfeiture pursuant to 31 U.S.C.
§ 5317(c)(2) and 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(A), which statutes provide for, inter alia, the civil
forfeiture of funds involved in structuring.
Steve Griebe is the sole signatory on the Subject Account, and has filed a claim to
the Defendant Funds. ECF No. 5. No other persons or entities have filed claims and
answers in this action, as required by Supplemental Rule G(5).
A Warrant of Arrest In Rem was duly executed against the Defendant Funds on
February 6, 2013. ECF No. 6. As set forth in the Declaration of Publication filed on
February 6, 2013 (ECF No. 7), and in accordance with Supplemental Rule G(4), notice of
this forfeiture action was published on an official internet government forfeiture site,
Order, p. 1 of 4

“www.forfeiture.gov”, for at least 30 consecutive days, beginning on December 8, 2012,
and ending on January 6, 2013. Any person claiming an interest in the Defendant Funds
was required to file a claim within sixty days after the first date of such publication (by
February 6, 2013). All time limits for the filing of claims have now expired, with no requests
for extensions of such time limits having been requested or granted. On March 5, 2013,
the clerk entered default against all potential claimants other than Steve Griebe. ECF No.
The United States and the Claimant, Steve Griebe, have reached an agreement
regarding the forfeiture of the Defendant Funds, the terms of which are set forth in a
Stipulated Forfeiture Agreement filed March 26, 2013. ECF No. 10. The essential terms
of such agreement are as follows:
•

Steve Griebe (“Claimant”) represents that he is the sole owner of the Defendant
Funds.

•

Claimant agrees to the forfeiture of the Defendant Funds to the United States, to be
disposed of according to law.

•

The United States contends that there was structuring of funds associated with the
Subject Account, up to the amount of $1,040,175, in alleged violation of 31 U.S.C.
§ 5324(a). The Government further contends that funds or other property involved
in or traceable to the alleged structuring, up to the value of $1,040,175, are subject
to forfeiture, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 5317(c)(2) and 18 U.S.C. § 981(a)(1)(A).
Claimant denies involvement in any structuring, and further denies that any
structuring is associated with the Subject Account. Nonetheless, in order to resolve
this matter, Claimant and the Government agrees to the following terms:
(a)

In addition to the Defendant Funds previously tendered to the United States,
Claimant also agrees to tender to the United States Secret Service (“USSS”)
a total of $375,000 (hereafter, the “Additional Funds”), by check(s) drawn on
the Subject Account. The Additional Funds are to be tendered to USSS in
three (3) equal payments of $125,000 each, on or before April 1, 2013; July
1, 2013; and, October 1, 2012. Claimant further agrees to the forfeiture of
such Additional Funds to the United States, pursuant to Stipulated Forfeiture
Agreement to be entered after the tender of such Additional Funds.

Order, p. 2 of 4

(b)

In the event Claimant tenders full and timely payments of the Additional
Funds under the terms set forth herein, the Government agrees not to seek
forfeiture of any other funds or property alleged to be involved in, or
traceable to, the alleged structuring which is the subject of this forfeiture
action and Stipulation. In the event Claimant fails to tender full and timely
payments of any of the Additional Funds, as required under the terms of the
Stipulation, the Government reserves the right to seek forfeiture of other
funds or property which the Government believes is either traceable to, or
involved in, the alleged structuring violations which are the subject of this
Stipulation and related Complaint for Forfeiture In Rem, up to the value of
$1,040,175 (less the value of any funds previously tendered by Claimant
pursuant to this Stipulation).

NOW THEREFORE, the Court being fully advised, and based on the Stipulated
Forfeiture Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference, it is
ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED, that:
1.

All persons, except the Claimant, claiming any right, title or interest in or to

the Defendant Funds are hereby held in default, and default judgment is entered against
them.
2.

Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 7317(c)(2), the Defendant Funds, to wit, $125,000,

is hereby forfeited, condemned, quit-claimed and abandoned to the United States of
America.
3.

Clear title in and to the Defendant Funds is hereby vested in the United

States of America, and no other right, title or interest exists therein. All other claims in or
to the Defendant Funds are hereby forever foreclosed and barred.
4.

The $125,000.00 in Defendant Funds forfeited herein shall be disposed of

by the United States in accordance with law.

Order, p. 3 of 4

IT IS SO ORDERED.

April 4, 2013
Columbia, South Carolina

Joseph F. Anderson, Jr.
United States District Judge

Order, p. 4 of 4