Customs Fraud

Defendant was accused of customs fraud with respect to importation of track suits from China without a proper visa.  Customs seized funds from the defendant’s bank accounts and alleged that the track suits were imported from China without the proper payment of duty.  Not only was the defendant acquitted after a jury trial, but counsel was able to convince the Court that Customs had failed to timely file the judicial forfeiture proceedings, and the Court ordered the return of all seized funds, including the return of the track suits.  Attorney’s fees were awarded pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act.