Jack off

In addition to illegally buying influence and favor with members of Congress, disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff also sought to catch a deal on buying a limo with the help of America's asset forfeiture drug laws.

On Aug. 21, 2002, he sent an e-mail to his friend David H. Safavian, chief of staff at the General Services Administration. "I have a need to buy a stretch limo for the restaurant," Abramoff wrote, referring to Signatures, the downtown establishment he owned. "Are there any coming up on any of the GSA drug property sales?"

Safavian, according to the documents recently filed by Justice Department prosecutors at U.S. District Court, wrote back that the GSA does not auction off seized cars. But he added that he was ready to help: "Let me call a friend at the Marshall's Service. They handle drug seizures."

Abramoff replied: "I was thinking of the druggies bounty. No problem. Thanks, see you Friday."

While the courts have said that law enforcement agencies are completely within the realm of the law when they steal property from Americans just because they are charged with (but not necessarily convicted of) drug offenses, the practice should be just as illegal as bribing legislators.

Check out Forfeiture Endangers American Rights (FEAR) for more info.