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This settlement is closed!
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The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia (MPD) has agreed to pay nearly $2 million to individuals who had their vehicle or currency seized.
The settlement benefits individuals who had their vehicle or currency seized by the MPD under one of its civil forfeiture statutes between April 25, 2010, and June 15, 2015. Vehicles must have been held for more than 30 days if held as evidence or for more than 15 days but fewer than 30 days if not held as evidence.
Several plaintiffs filed their forfeiture lawsuit in 2013, claiming MPD wrongfully seized their vehicles and currency under forfeiture statutes. Plaintiffs in the case claimed the police department failed to promptly notify them of the seizure. If the consumers had received prompt notice, they say, they could have contested the seizure and recovered their property.
MPD has not admitted any wrongdoing but has agreed to establish a fund of over $1.9 million to resolve the claims against it.
Under the terms of the settlement, Class Members can collect cash payments of at least $250 for vehicle forfeiture and 75% percent reimbursement for currency forfeiture.
Individuals who had their vehicles seized by MPD will be able to recover cash payments. Payment amounts will vary, depending on the amount of time the Class Member’s vehicle was held, though payments will be at least $250. More information is available in the “Potential Award” section below.
Class Members who had their currency seized will be able to recover reimbursement equal to 75% of the amount seized. Payment amounts will vary.
In order to benefit from the settlement, Class Members must file a valid claim form by March 22, 2021. Proof is not required in order to benefit from the settlement. Instead, personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses) will be used to validate claims against MPD’s records.
The deadline for exclusion and objection was Jan. 6, 2021. The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for March 9, 2021.
Who’s Eligible
Individuals who had their vehicle or currency seized by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia under one of its civil forfeiture statutes between April 25, 2010, and June 15, 2015. Vehicles must have been held for more than 30 days if held as evidence or for more than 15 days but fewer than 30 days if not held as evidence.
Potential Award
Cash payments of at least $250 for vehicle forfeiture and 75% reimbursement for currency forfeiture.
Individuals who had their vehicles seized by MPD will be able to recover cash payments. Payment amounts will vary depending on the amount of time the Class Member’s vehicle was held, though payments will be at least $250.
For vehicles held for longer than 30 days, Class Members will receive $30 for standard vehicles or $50 for specialty vehicles for each day the vehicle was held past the 30-day grace period. Class Members whose vehicles were held between 15 and 30 days and whose vehicles were not classified as evidence will receive a flat payment of $250.
Class Members who had their currency seized will be able to recover reimbursement equal to 75% of the amount seized. Payment amounts will vary.
Proof of Purchase
Personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses) will be used to validate claims against MPD’s records.
Claim Form
NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.
Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Claim Form Deadline
03/22/2021
Case Name
Brown, et al. v. Government of the District of Columbia, Case No. 1:13-cv-00569-CRC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Final Hearing
03/09/2021
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
Hoyte, et al. v. District of Columbia
c/o JND Legal Administration
P.O. Box 91238
Seattle, WA 98111
info@HoytevDCSettlement.com
1-888-681-1215
Class Counsel
William Claiborne
CLAIBORNE LAW
Bennet B. Borden
FAEGRE DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH LLP
Defense Counsel
Attorney General Karl A. Racine
Deputy Attorney General Toni Michelle Jackson
Equity Section Chief Fernando Amarillas
Senior Assistant Attorney General Andrew J. Saindon
Assistant Attorney General Brendan Heath
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC INTEREST DIVISION
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