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Asheville FBI Operation Ends in Raids asheville |
economic and social justice |
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 Saturday November 17, 2007 23:24 by Scott
FROM THE NEWSWIRE:
11/17/07 - A two year long undercover FBI investigation of monetary-reform activists focused on Asheville came to a head last Wednesday when federal agents raided properties in Indiana and Idaho. The raid targeted Liberty Services, a company which markets and distributes Liberty Dollars, a private currency consisting of gold, silver and redeemable certificates. Government officials seized nearly 2 tons of Liberty Dollars and over $1 million in gold and silver warehoused by the company to back its paper certificates. The FBI is referring all inquiries to the US Attorney's WNC branch which has, thus far, declined to comment on the raids. Nevertheless, a statement from the US Mint last year indicated that they took a less accommodating view of Liberty Dollars, calling them "misleading" and in violation of US Code. This prompted Liberty Services to file suit in March seeking an injunction barring the Mint from describing the Liberty Dollar as illegal. But apparently the FBI felt no obligation to await due process through this court action and was already carrying out an undercover investigation in Asheville. According to an affidavit filed on November 9th, the FBI utilized three undercover agents and a "cooperating witness" to infiltrate Liberty Dollar meetings and events, targeting local activists in such unlikely venues as the French Broad Food Co-op and the parking lot of Target. The affidavit, written by agent Andrew Romagnuolo and signed by Judge Dennis Howell, states that Liberty Services seeks to "undermine the United States government's financial systems by the issuance of a non-governmental competing currency". It further alleges a multitude of violations of Federal Law, including counterfeiting, fraud, conspiracy and money laundering. Liberty Dollar founder Bernard von NotHaus contests these claims and supporters have speculated that the Liberty Dollar is being targeted due to its challenge of a federal money monopoly. "If the LD has steadily increased in value and the USD has steadily decreased in value, who is perpetrating the fraud here?" asked one internet commentator. Sources:
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Comments (2 of 2)
Jump To Comment: 1 2Very strange. Why is a warrant for seizure of property in Indiana originating in Asheville? If Asheville citizens have been major targets of investigation why hasn't Asheville Liberty Dollar's property been seized as well? I find it hard to believe that this is standard procedure.
Ok how can the goverment say it's "their money" since as a taxpayer its money I earned by provision of a good or service? I think the goverment is just as liable when they allow the dollars value to fall. Why should they or anyone carry a dollar currency around if it has little to no value. Futher more you don't need a currency to barter. What about the guys website "one red paper clip" no one raided him when he traded all the way up on a house.
The people the FBI should be focused on are the "Day Traders" who go to a small set of doctors who are on the doorsteps of the major drug companies. What happens is the day trader goes to his doctor and says "Hey I might have (let's say bone issues) is there a new product I can potentially take in the future to help me?" Since patient confidentiality exists at that level its never known. "Day Trader" Joe gets insider trading for the next big drug then makes fat cash.
I would like to know why my tax money paid for the FBI to raid someone with a currency that seems to work. So whos next Parker Brothers? Look out Monopoly man!