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11/13/2003 Archived Entry: "More financial searches without court orders"

THE ASHCROFT MACHINE KEEPS ROLLING ON:

A little-noticed measure approved by both the House and Senate would significantly expand the F.B.I.'s power to demand financial records, without a judge's approval, from car dealers, travel agents, pawnbrokers and many other businesses, officials said on Tuesday. ...

The measure now awaiting final approval in Congress would significantly broaden the law to include securities dealers, currency exchanges, car dealers, travel agencies, post offices, casinos, pawnbrokers and any other institution doing cash transactions with "a high degree of usefulness in criminal, tax or regulatory matters."

They're talking about access without a court order. Just an "administrative subpoena." In other words, "This piece of paper we gave ourselves says we can have whaterver we demand. Hand it over or we'll hurt you."

Posted by Claire @ 07:07 AM CST
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