Feds Seize 4 Mosques Linked to Iran

[ninetoes]

"NEW YORK, NY - Federal prosecutors Thursday took steps to seize four U.S. mosques and a Fifth Avenue skyscraper owned by a nonprofit Muslim organization long suspected of being secretly controlled by the Iranian government.

In what could prove to be one of the biggest counterterrorism seizures in U.S. history, prosecutors filed a civil complaint in federal court seeking the forfeiture of more than $500 million in assets of the Alavi Foundation and an alleged front company.

The assets include Islamic centers in New York City, Maryland, California and Houston, more than 100 acres in Virginia, and a 36-story office tower in New York. "

http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/feds-seize-mosques-tower-iran-111209

[snookums1]

"For two decades, the Alavi Foundation's affairs have been directed by various Iranian officials, including Iranian ambassadors to the United Nations, in violation of a series of American laws," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement.

Suspicion about the Alavi Foundation transcends three administrations," Rubin said. "It's taken ages dealing with the nuts and bolts of the investigation. It's not the type of investigation which is part of any larger strategy."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091112/ap_on_re_us/us_mosque_forfeiture

[Lifeguard]

Looks like the Obama administration is cracking down on potential terrorism and links to Iran.

Good for all of us.

This is what we have needed for 8 years.

[MercedesV]

The war on terror done right. Another example of how well this admin is working to catch terrorists and those who wish us harm. Something few want to discuss, but Obama has been doing a very good job on counter terrorism.

[MiamiNice1]

This is likely due to all of the investigation done by the justice department during the Bush administration. They have been monitoring these facilities for a long time and compiling information that lead to many actions culminating in this.
Finally - the voice of reason! To think people actually think this is Obama's doing....:blink:

Obama can't even make a decision about something as important as a war and they think he accomplished this in his mere 10 months in office.....as IF! :rolleyes:

imo

[MiamiNice1]

Well, his administration did piggyback onto the work the Bush administration had already done.

It is funny. The things that have benefited the economy the most are the bailouts and TARP - the things Bush put into play and Obama played followup.
Yes, blame Bush for the bad, yet take credit for the good Bush did.

Gosh. Too bad life doesn't work that way for us!

imo

[Lady_Jean_La]

Finally - the voice of reason! To think people actually think this is Obama's doing....:blink:

Obama can't even make a decision about something as important as a war and they think he accomplished this in his mere 10 months in office.....as IF! :rolleyes:

imo

My first thought was some kind of pressure to release the three innoncent USA hiking college grads held by Iran. Reminds me of President Carter's attempt to get Iran to release hostages. imo

[Tracian]

It's too bad the article does not say how long the investigation went on before the raid.

[MiamiNice1]

It's too bad the article does not say how long the investigation went on before the raid.
I think it would probably be safe to say that it sure didn't begin in January 2009.

imo

[MiamiNice1]

My first thought was some kind of pressure to release the three innoncent USA hiking college grads held by Iran. Reminds me of President Carter's attempt to get Iran to release hostages. imo

This was good thinking, LJL! Love hearing your thoughts on issues, especially when you incorporate it with your knowledge of History! But I think think this goes much deeper, far more complicated.

imo

[Tracian]

I think it would probably be safe to say that it sure didn't begin in January 2009.

imo


I have to agree. Investigations like this are in the works for a while before they actually make arrests. From the size of this bust, it most likely was in the works for at least a year or so.

[Carol25]

Yes, blame Bush for the bad, yet take credit for the good Bush did.

Gosh. Too bad life doesn't work that way for us!

imo

Obviously, the investigation didn't begin with Obama, so both administrations should be credited with this development. It takes a stern reseolve to seize these mosques, too. This time, both Bush and Obama should be thanked.

[MiamiNice1]

I have to agree. Investigations like this are in the works for a while before they actually make arrests. From the size of this bust, it most likely was in the works for at least a year or so.
I agree and I'd say, at least several years. This needed to be done and sends a much needed clear, strong message.

imo

[snookums1]

This is likely due to all of the investigation done by the justice department during the Bush administration. They have been monitoring these facilities for a long time and compiling information that lead to many actions culminating in this. That is exactly what I said. It has been an ongoing investigation for over 10 years so actually it probably started under Clinton, continued through Bush and was culminated under Obama.

[MiamiNice1]

Obviously, the investigation didn't begin with Obama, so both administrations should be credited with this development. It takes a stern reseolve to seize these mosques, too. This time, both Bush and Obama should be thanked.
ITA. I am very pleased by this and like you say, I'm sure it took, DEEP investigation and fact-finding in order to make this kind of serious move.

imo

[snookums1]

I have to agree. Investigations like this are in the works for a while before they actually make arrests. From the size of this bust, it most likely was in the works for at least a year or so.

Actually, it has been over 10 years. Read the link I provided to Yahoo. Correction. They have violations dating back more than 20 years.

[Tracian]

Actually, it has been over 10 years. Read the link I provided to Yahoo.


Thanks, I missed your link :)

[Lifeguard]

Actually, it has been over 10 years. Read the link I provided to Yahoo.

OVER 10 years??????????? You mean to say that for the 8 entire years of the Bush administration, starting on day one, Jan 20, 2001, Bush did not get this accomplished, as he did not act to prevent the hijackers of 9/11, nor go after Bin Laden even though Clinton had warned him on day one?

[snookums1]

Obviously, the investigation didn't begin with Obama, so both administrations should be credited with this development. It takes a stern reseolve to seize these mosques, too. This time, both Bush and Obama should be thanked. Actually we need to thank others too since it started before Bush took office and has been ongoing for years.

[Tracian]

OVER 10 years??????????? You mean to say that for the 8 entire years of the Bush administration, starting on day one, Jan 20, 2001, Bush did not get this accomplished, as he did not act to prevent the hijackers of 9/11, nor go after Bin Laden even though Clinton had warned him on day one?


Investigations such as this, take a long while, if Bush's admin moved in he still would have gotten flack because he didn't take the time to continue a real investigation, and that he is trying to 'take credit' for what Clinton started.

[snookums1]

Investigations such as this, take a long while, if Bush's admin moved in he still would have gotten flack because he didn't take the time to continue a real investigation, and that he is trying to 'take credit' for what Clinton started. Actually we don't know who started the investigation. They simply said it "transcends 3 administrations" and there have been ongoing violations of US law for over 20 years.

[Tracian]

Actually we need to thank others too since it started before Bush took office and has been ongoing for years.


IMO, this proves that what one admin starts, may take several to get resolved, if it is done correctly.

I dare assume after the 1993 bombing at the WTC (I think that year is right) the sitting admin began taking harder looks at several questionable groups.

again, IMO, this shows what a great job our government can do when they work together, rather than against each other.

[Tracian]

Actually we don't know who started the investigation. They simply said it "transcends 3 administrations" and there have been ongoing violations of US law for over 20 years.


Quite true. Also we have no idea how much information came from this investigation that may have headed off other terror attacks.

[snookums1]

Quite true. Also we have no idea how much information came from this investigation that may have headed off other terror attacks. I certainly agree with that. They don't publicize things of that nature. They continue to use them instead until things reach a point where it is either too risky or they are no longer useful. They do not want to risk the lives of those working undercover providing the information.

[Carol25]

Actually we need to thank others too since it started before Bush took office and has been ongoing for years.
You 're right snookums!

[Carol25]

Just wondering, when property is seized by the federal government, do the proceeds of rent go to the Federal budget or to the State budget? Seems to me that it would go to the Federal government.

[snookums1]

Just wondering, when property is seized by the federal government, do the proceeds of rent go to the Federal budget or to the State budget? Seems to me that it would go to the Federal government. This is what it said in the link I provided:
The mosques and the skyscraper will remain open while the forfeiture case works its way through court in what could be a long process. What will happen to them if the government ultimately prevails is unclear. But the government typically sells properties it has seized through forfeiture, and the proceeds are sometimes distributed to crime victims.

[MercedesV]

One thing that was pointed out on the news, that should be highlighted, is this process is against the landlords/owners of the properties. Not against the Mosques located at the properties.

[MercedesV]

Yes, blame Bush for the bad, yet take credit for the good Bush did.

Gosh. Too bad life doesn't work that way for us!

imo

And yet, when talking about the wars, the mantra is Bush is out of office, this is all Obama now. When talking about the economy, unemployment, the mantra is Bush is out of office don't discuss him. It's all Obama now. Nothing exists in a vacuum, the problems facing us now have been here awhile. Where is the recognition that Bush holds responsibility for what he did? And that Obama, now, is responsible, but the problems didn't start on Jan. 20. 2009.

Why has Cheney loudly and frequently claim Obama has undone what Bush admin had started and that Obama was making us less safe. Putting us in danger of more terrorists attacks. And now claim Obama is piggybacking on what Bush did? And this problem pre exists Bush, why didn't Bush do something about it?

[snookums1]

One thing that was pointed out on the news, that should be highlighted, is this process is against the landlords/owners of the properties. Not against the Mosques located at the properties. The four Mosques was a tricky wicket as they say in England. Being places of worship it would have been a very difficult decision to make. All religions are equal in this country. So, hopefully the whole thing can be resolved where the mosques are concerned so that the people still have a place to worship because the people worshipping there were not the problem at all.

[ninetoes]

"U.S. Marshals serve notice to Potomac Islamic school
Possible seizure proceedings started as part of investigation"

"Three armed U.S. Marshals delivered notices initiating possible seizure proceedings against the Islamic Education Center in Potomac on Friday morning as authorities moved against properties tied to a New York foundation they say has links to the Iranian government"

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/13/AR2009111301769.html

[Lifeguard]

You are right, plus this is just one phase of a policy that has been going on for some time.

So you are not in agreement with people who claim the Obama administration is soft on terrorism and Iran?