Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-00395/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-00395-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 625
Nature of Suit: Drug Related Seizure of Property
Cause of Action: 21:881 Forfeiture Property-Drugs

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DANIEL J. BRODERICK, #89424

Federal Defender

TIMOTHY ZINDEL, Bar #158377

Assistant Federal Defender

801 I Street, 3rd Floor

Sacramento, California 95814

Telephone: (916) 498-5700

Attorney for Claimant

MICHAEL LOMBARDO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff,

v.

APPROXIMATELY $4,950,00 IN

U.S. CURRENCY,

Defendant.

_______________________________

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No. 2:08-CV-00395 LKK-GGH

APPLICATION FOR ORDER APPOINTING

COUNSEL; ORDER 

Judge: Hon. Lawrence K. Karlton

Michael Lombardo applies to the Court for an order appointing the

Office of the Federal Defender to represent him in the above case

pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 983(b)(1)(A).

Section 983, subd. (b)(1)(A) of Title 18, United States Code,

provides as follows:

If a person with standing to contest the forfeiture of property

in a civil judicial forfeiture proceeding under a civil

forfeiture statute is financially unable to obtain

representation by counsel, and the person is represented by

counsel appointed under section 3006A of this title in

Case 2:08-cv-00395-LKK -GGH Document 10 Filed 03/24/08 Page 1 of 3
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Order re Counsel -2-

connection with a related criminal case, the court may

authorize counsel to represent that person with respect to the

claim.

On September 14, 2007, the Magistrate Judge determined that Michael

Lombardo was financially unable to hire counsel; the Court therefore

appointed the Office of the Federal Defender to represent Mr. Lombardo in

a case charging violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 (manufacturing marijuana).

That case began with a DEA search of Mr. Lombardo’s property the previous

day and is presently pending before this Court as United States v.

Michael Lombardo, 2:07-cr-0439 LKK

As a result of the same seizure, the United States on February 22,

2008, filed the above complaint for forfeiture against $4,950 seized from

Mr. Lombardo’s residence during a DEA search. A portion of this money

belongs to Mr. Lombardo who contends that it cannot be lawfully

forfeited. He has standing to contest the forfeiture because the cash

was seized from his residence. Mr. Lombardo, a journeyman electrician

and member of I.B.E.W. Local 401, claims in good faith that he earned the

money through legitimate employment and that it cannot be lawfully

forfeited. Accordingly, he asks the Court to authorize counsel to

represent him with respect to his claim (to be filed simultaneously with

this application).

A proposed order is attached for the Court’s convenience.

Respectfully submitted,

Dated: March 20, 2008 /s/ T. Zindel 

TIMOTHY ZINDEL

Assistant Federal Defender

Attorney for MICHAEL LOMBARDO

Case 2:08-cv-00395-LKK -GGH Document 10 Filed 03/24/08 Page 2 of 3
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Order re Counsel -3-

O R D E R

The Office of the Federal Defender is hereby authorized to represent

Michael Lombardo in the above case, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 983(b).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 24, 2008

Case 2:08-cv-00395-LKK -GGH Document 10 Filed 03/24/08 Page 3 of 3