The FBI has returned a California woman's life savings it seized two years ago with no explanation, according to a new report.
Linda Martin's safe deposit box was seized during a March 2021 raid with no explanation, taking over $40,000 she had stored in the location.
The FBI seized a woman's life savings. Here's what she had to do to get it back https://t.co/YzXsnujAcq
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 9, 2023
"I’m relieved to finally have my savings back, but it has been a confusing and frustrating process from the moment it was taken," Martin said in a statement.
"I had to prove my innocence to keep my own money," she added. "No one should be treated that way and I’m going to keep fighting so that others don’t suffer the same way I did."
The FBI took Linda Martin's life savings, which she was planning to use for a down payment on a house, out of her safe deposit box
She was never accused of crime and the FBI notice didn't say why the money was taken
She's teamed up w/ @IJ to fight backhttps://t.co/GnOvXeHoly
— Dan King (@Kinger_DC) March 15, 2023
"Frustrated at the silence and angry about being subjected to this Kafkaesque nightmare, Linda recently stood in front of FBI headquarters in Washington to announce a nationwide class-action lawsuit with the Institute for Justice," Forbes reported in March.
"The suit asks the court to require the FBI to either tell Linda what it thinks she did wrong or return her property. Standing up for others, Linda’s lawsuit asks the court to do the same for everyone who received notices like Linda’s," it added.
The effort eventually worked, with Smith now receiving her hard-earned money back after two years in the legal case.
The concern, however, remains that the FBI was able to seize her savings without any explanation, holding it for a long period of time despite no evidence of wrongdoing.
The case adds to growing concerns with the FBI and its political activities. Other issues have included targeting vocal parents at school board meetings and even situations involving Catholic churches.
Smith's situation should be of importance to all Americans as a warning of the power of the federal agency that has the ability to shut down a person's income with almost no ability to change the situation.
