Government seeks to recoup costs from hell's angel's clubhouse

July 29, 2010

PROVINCE SEEKS FORFEITURE OF HELLS ANGELS CLUBHOUSE
Manitoba Justice advises a statement of claim filed in the Court of Queen’s Bench seeks forfeiture of the Hells Angels clubhouse to the province and an interim order has allowed the province to immediately seize the property at 2679 Scotia St. and its contents.

The claim alleges the property was used as a place to plan and carry out criminal activity, making it subject to forfeiture under the Criminal Property Forfeiture Act.

Under the act, proceeds from unlawful acts and property used in an unlawful act may be forfeited to the government by order of the court. Along with real estate, items such as cash and vehicles can be forfeited.

Proceeds from the sale of forfeited property are placed in a fund to support activities such as:

· compensating victims of the unlawful activity;

· remedying the effects of the unlawful activity;

· promoting safer communities by funding programs that reduce or prevent crime or enhance the practices and training of law enforcement agencies; and

· covering the costs of bringing the court application and seizing, managing and selling property ordered forfeited by a court.

Property ordered forfeited by a court can be sold, donated or destroyed. Protection for innocent third parties who have legitimate interests in a property is built into the legislation.
A total of 35 statements of claim have been filed since the legislation was enacted. Claims involving cash, vehicles and houses collectively valued at more than $9 million are currently being pursued.
The legislation is available online at http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/c306e.php
 
Comment:
I think the government has every right to these unlawful properties. The Hell's Angels should not be allowed to keep any of its ill begotten estate.  Some of the monies collected should be donated to agencies that are working on gang/crime prevention, people who have suffered personal losses as a result of these illegal activities and to the taxpayers who foot the bill for court costs etc.