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Advocacy Blog
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Charity Wants Seized Files Returned, U.S. attorney Charging $115K for Reasons Only the Judge Can Know
Almost a year ago FBI agents raided the Muslim charity Life for Relief and Development, taking away computers and records while nobody has yet been charged with anything and the charity continues operation. Understandably, Life for Relief is now asking for the return of nearly 200 boxes of paperwork critical to its operations. The U.S. Attorney's Office is willing to provide the records, but only if Life for Relief pays copying charges of between $21,000 and $115,000. Those charges are so high because the copies were made inside FBI offices by a company with a U.S. security clearance. The organization needs its files to complete required audits and file its tax return due in April. Further disconcerting is the fact that the government holds sealed documents that only the judge can look at which supposedly provide reasons why the charity and not the government should pay for the copying charges. Here we have a nonprofit that is working to provide humanitarian aid, and instead of using money for its intended purpose, the government is forcing them to pay for the FBI copies.
Posted by Amanda Adams
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