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    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    How the feds could seize suspects' property even before they're accused of a crime

    Jeff Sessions is restarting part of the federal program called civil asset forfeiture. When law enforcement finds reason to believe that some cash, a house, or other valuable asset has been used in illegal activities, they seize it, and it becomes government property.

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    By Madeleine Brand • Jul 20, 2017 • 1 min read

    Jeff Sessions is restarting part of the federal program called civil asset forfeiture. When law enforcement finds reason to believe that some cash, a house, or other valuable asset has been used in illegal activities, they seize it, and it becomes government property. In 2014, the government took more property from American citizens than burglars did. After an outcry from civil rights groups, then-Attorney General Eric Holder stopped part of the program.

    The full episode

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    1. 0:00Russian meddling probe now includes Trump's banking activities
    2. 10:19California GOP congressman is in middle of his own Russia scandal
    3. 19:46How the feds could seize suspects' property even before they're accused of a crimeYou’re reading this
    4. 26:28At 90, Betye Saar still makes political art about race in America
    5. 42:37Why free payment apps like Venmo are really not-so-free
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      Madeleine Brand

      Host, 'Press Play'

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      Gina Pollack

      Producer

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      Sarah Sweeney

      Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

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      Michell Eloy

      Former Producer/Line Editor, Press Play

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      Christopher Ingraham

      Washington Post

      News

    The full episode

    3 of 5
    Betye Saar on a life of confronting racism through art
    1. 0:00Russian meddling probe now includes Trump's banking activities
    2. 10:19California GOP congressman is in middle of his own Russia scandal
    3. 19:46How the feds could seize suspects' property even before they're accused of a crimeYou’re reading this
    4. 26:28At 90, Betye Saar still makes political art about race in America
    5. 42:37Why free payment apps like Venmo are really not-so-free
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand