Worcester County DA keeping uncharged people's money

ProPublica and WBUR investigated the Civil Asset Forfeiture practices of Worcester County DA Joseph D. Early Jr.

Massachusetts is an outlier among states erstwhile it comes to civilian forfeiture laws. Prosecutors successful the commonwealth are capable to support seized assets utilizing a little ineligible barroom than successful immoderate different state.

WBUR took an in-depth look astatine Worcester County, which ranks among the apical counties for forfeitures successful the state. An introspection of each forfeitures filed determination successful 2018 recovered that of the hundreds of incidents, astir 1 successful 4 — oregon 24% — had nary accompanying cause condemnation oregon transgression cause lawsuit filing.

So, radical not charged with crimes are having their wealth and spot confiscated.

In much than 500 instances betwixt 2016 and 2019, WBUR recovered that funds had been successful the custody of the [Worcester County] DA’s bureau for a decennary oregon much earlier officials had attempted to notify radical and springiness them a accidental to get their wealth back. One lawsuit dated backmost to 1990.

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