Opinion
21 Civ. 5171 (JGK)
08-31-2021
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, v. $35,782,375 IN UNITED STATES CURRENCY, Defendant-in-rem.
JUDGMENT OF FORFEITURE
JOHN G. KOELTL UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
WHEREAS, on or about June 11, 2021, the United States commenced an in rem forfeiture action seeking the forfeiture of the Defendant-in-rem, by the filing of a Verified Civil Complaint for Forfeiture (the “Verified Complaint”). The Verified Complaint alleged that the Defendant-in-rem is subject to forfeiture pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 981(a)(1)(C);
WHEREAS, notice of the Verified Complaint against the Defendant-in-rem was posted on the official government internet site, www.forfeiture.gov, for at least 30 consecutive days, beginning on June 17, 2021, through July 16, 2021, and proof of such publication was filed with the Clerk of this Court on August 30, 2021 (D.E. 8);
WHEREAS, as set forth in Rule G(4)(a)(ii) and Rule G(5)(a)(ii), the notice of forfeiture specified the Defendant-in-rem and the intent of the United States to forfeit and dispose of the Defendant-in-rem, thereby notifying all third parties of their right to file a claim to adjudicate the validity of their alleged legal interest in the Defendant-in-rem, within sixty days from the first day of publication of the Notice on the official government internet site;
WHEREAS, on or about June 21, 2021, the Government sent direct notice of the Verified Complaint by electronic mail to:
Ralph M. Levene, Esq.
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen, and Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
as counsel for, and on behalf of, Swiss Life Holding AG, Swiss Life (Liechtenstein) AG, Swiss Life (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. and Swiss Life (Luxembourg) S. A. (the “Noticed Parties”);
WHEREAS, the Noticed Parties are the only individuals and/or entities known to the Government to have a potential interest in the Defendant-in-rem-and
WHEREAS, no claims or answers have been filed or made in this action and no other parties have appeared to contest the action, and the requisite time periods in which to do so, as set forth in Title 18, United States Code, Section 983(a)(4)(A) and Rule G of the Supplement Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims and Asset Forfeiture Claims, have expired;
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Defendant-in-rem shall be, and the same hereby is, forfeited to the Plaintiff United States of America.
2. The United States Department of Treasury (or its designee) shall dispose of the Defendant-in-rem, according to law.
SO ORDERED.