Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00692/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-00692-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 690
Nature of Suit: Other Forfeiture and Penalty Suits
Cause of Action: 28:1345 Complaint for Forfeiture

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EX PARTE APPLICATION TO STAY FURTHER

PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER 1

BENJAMIN B. WAGNER 

United States Attorney

KRISTIN S. DOOR, SBN 84307

Assistant U.S. Attorney

501 I Street, Suite 10-100

Sacramento, CA 95814

Telephone: (916) 554-2723

Attorney for Plaintiff

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) 2:07-CV-00692-FCD/KJM

)

Plaintiff, ) EX PARTE APPLICATION TO

) STAY FURTHER PROCEEDINGS

v. ) AND ORDER

)

APPROXIMATELY $129,707.00 IN U.S. )

CURRENCY, )

)

APPROXIMATELY $100,700.54 IN MONEY ) 

ORDERS, )

)

APPROXIMATELY $108,460.00 IN U.S. )

CURRENCY, AND )

)

APPROXIMATELY $251,911.00 IN U.S. )

CURRENCY, )

)

Defendants. ) )

Plaintiff United States of America applies ex parte to extend

the current stay in the above-entitled action, and requests that

the Court enter an order staying all further proceedings for a

period of six months pending the outcome of a related criminal

investigation against claimant Abdurrahman Yousuf. 

 1. Claimants Abdurrahman Yousuf and Khatiza Madha Yousuf,

Case 2:07-cv-00692-FCD-CMK Document 24 Filed 05/25/10 Page 1 of 4
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EX PARTE APPLICATION TO STAY FURTHER

PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER 2

(hereafter referred to collectively as “claimants”) are not parties

to this stipulation for the following reasons:

a. In late 2009 Bryan C. Altman, attorney of record for

claimants, moved to withdraw as claimants’ counsel. On November

25, 2009, this Court denied the motion.

b. On May 24, 2010, undersigned counsel spoke with Mr.

Altman who advised her that he has not had any contact with

claimants and does not know their current whereabouts.

c. Mr. Altman further stated that under these circumstances

he does not believe he has authority to consent to a stay.

d. Plaintiff therefore submits this request ex parte.

2. Each of the claimants has filed a claim to the defendant

property and an Answer to the Verified Complaint for Forfeiture In

Rem. 

3. The stay is requested pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 981(g)(1). 

The plaintiff contends that Abdurrahman Yousuf and others were

involved in a scheme to defraud the California Board of

Equalization out of excise taxes due on the sale of tobacco

products. The plaintiff further contends that proceeds of the

fraud scheme are traceable to the property that is the subject of

this forfeiture action. Claimants deny these allegations.

4. To date no one has been charged with any criminal offense

by state, local, or federal authorities, and the statute of

limitations has not expired on potential criminal charges relating

to the fraud scheme. Nevertheless, the plaintiff intends to depose

claimants regarding their claims, their ownership of a business

called “A to Z Cash & Carry,” and their involvement in the sale of

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EX PARTE APPLICATION TO STAY FURTHER

PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER 3

tobacco products into California. If discovery proceeds at this

time, claimants will be placed in the difficult position of either

invoking their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination

and losing the ability to pursue their claims to the defendant real

property, or waiving their Fifth Amendment right and submitting to

a deposition and potentially incriminating themselves. If they

invoke their Fifth Amendment rights, the plaintiff will be deprived

of the ability to explore the factual basis for the claims they

filed with this court. 

5. In addition, claimants intend to depose, among others,

the agents involved in this investigation, including but not

limited to the agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms

& Explosives and the California Board of Equalization. Allowing

depositions of the law enforcement officers at this time would

adversely affect the ability of federal authorities to investigate

the underlying criminal conduct.

 6. Plaintiff contends that proceeding with this action at

this time has potential adverse affects on the investigation of the

underlying criminal conduct and/or upon claimants’ ability to prove

their claim to the property and assert any defenses to forfeiture. 

For these reasons, the parties jointly request that this matter be

stayed for six months. At that time the parties will advise the

//

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EX PARTE APPLICATION TO STAY FURTHER

PROCEEDINGS AND ORDER 4

court of the status of the criminal investigation and will advise

the court whether a further stay is necessary.

Dated: May 24, 2010 BENJAMIN B. WAGNER 

United States Attorney

By /s/ Kristin S. Door 

KRISTIN S. DOOR

Assistant U.S. Attorney

Attorneys for Plaintiff

United States of America

ORDER

For the reasons set forth above, this matter is stayed

pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 981(g)(1) for a period of six months. On

or before November 24, 2010, the parties will advise the court

whether a further stay is necessary.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 24, 2010

_____________________________

FRANK C. DAMRELL, JR. 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 2:07-cv-00692-FCD-CMK Document 24 Filed 05/25/10 Page 4 of 4