Opinion ID: 1460423
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Wells Fargo

Text: The government claims that Wells Fargo was untimely in filing its petition. We agree. Under the criminal forfeiture statute, a third party must file its petition within thirty days of the earlier of its receipt of (1) actual notice of the order of intent to dispose or (2) the final publication of the notice. 21 U.S.C. § 853(n)(2). If the third party does not file its claim within the thirty days, the United States shall have clear title to property that is subject to the order of forfeiture. 21 U.S.C. § 853(n)(7). We construe this provision liberally . . . to effectuate its remedial purposes. 21 U.S.C. § 853(o). Wells Fargo admits that its petition was not filed within thirty days after its agent received notice. The government served its notice to Wells Fargo on March 7, 2005, and Wells Fargo filed its petition five months later: on August 2, 2005. Wells Fargo claims it failed to file its petition within thirty days because the government failed to provide it with adequate notice. We find this argument meritless. The notice provided by the government included the preliminary order of forfeiture, which identified the property by legal description, PIN number, and street address. It also warned that the foregoing funds and real property are subject to forfeiture based on the defendant's conviction for the above reference violations. We find that the notice was adequate, and the district court properly dismissed Wells Fargo's petition.