Filed: Apr. 23, 2015
Latest Update: Apr. 23, 2015
Summary: ORDER DENNIS L. HOWELL , Magistrate Judge . Pending before the Court is the Motion to Stay [# 24]. Claimant moves pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 981(g)(2) to stay this civil forfeiture proceeding. The Government does not oppose staying these proceedings. Upon a review of the record and relevant legal authority, the Court GRANTS the Motion to Stay [# 24]. I. Analysis Section 981(g)(2) provides that upon the filing of a motion by a claimant, the Court shall stay a civil forfeiture proceeding whe
Summary: ORDER DENNIS L. HOWELL , Magistrate Judge . Pending before the Court is the Motion to Stay [# 24]. Claimant moves pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 981(g)(2) to stay this civil forfeiture proceeding. The Government does not oppose staying these proceedings. Upon a review of the record and relevant legal authority, the Court GRANTS the Motion to Stay [# 24]. I. Analysis Section 981(g)(2) provides that upon the filing of a motion by a claimant, the Court shall stay a civil forfeiture proceeding wher..
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ORDER
DENNIS L. HOWELL, Magistrate Judge.
Pending before the Court is the Motion to Stay [# 24]. Claimant moves pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 981(g)(2) to stay this civil forfeiture proceeding. The Government does not oppose staying these proceedings. Upon a review of the record and relevant legal authority, the Court GRANTS the Motion to Stay [# 24].
I. Analysis
Section 981(g)(2) provides that upon the filing of a motion by a claimant, the Court shall stay a civil forfeiture proceeding where: (1) the claimant is the subject of a related criminal case or investigation; (2); the claimant has standing to assert a claim in the civil forfeiture proceeding; and (3) the continuation of the forfeiture proceeding would burden the right of the claimant against self-incrimination in the related criminal case. 18 U.S.C. § 981(g)(2). The statute further defines what constitutes a related criminal case or related criminal investigation:
In this subsection, the terms "related criminal case" and "related criminal investigation" mean an actual prosecution or investigation in progress at the time at which the request for the stay . . . is made. In determining whether a criminal case or investigation is "related" to a civil forfeiture proceeding, the court shall consider the degree of similarity between the parties, witnesses, facts, and circumstances involved in the two proceedings, without requiring an identity with respect to any one or more factors.
18 U.S.C. § 981(g)(4); see also United States v. Approximately $345,762.38, No. 3:09cv385, 2009 WL 3230608 (W.D.N.C. Oct. 1, 2009) (Keesler, Mag. J.).
Upon a review of the record in this case, the Courts finds that a related criminal case is currently ongoing that involves similar facts, witnesses, and circumstances to this civil forfeiture proceeding. Moreover, Claimant has standing to assert a claim in these forfeiture proceedings. Finally, a stay of these proceedings is warranted pursuant to Section 981(g) because civil discovery, will burden Claimant's right against self-incrimination in the related criminal case. See 18 U.S.C. § 981(g)(2). The Court, therefore, GRANTS the Motion to Stay [# 24] and STAYS these proceedings for 90 days. After the expiration of the 90 day period, the stay shall automatically dissolve unless the Government or Claimant can show by motion (accompanied by a status report) reasons why the stay should not be lifted.
II. Conclusion
The Court GRANTS the Motion to Stay [# 24]. The Court STAYS these proceedings for 90 days. After the expiration of 90 days, the stay shall automatically dissolve unless the Government or Claimant can show by motion (accompanied by a status report) reasons why the stay should not be lifted.
