Peter Smythe

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Federal Expungement

Valueland Auto Sales, Inc. v. United States involves the scope of jurisdiction in federal criminal cases. The Government indicted Ron Benit and Valueland Auto Sales in 2013, alleging they structured cash deposits at banks to avoid reporting requirements. The Government seized over $70,000 of their money. It later dismissed the charges and returned the money. Benit and Valueland moved to expunge the indictment, but the district court decided it didn’t have jurisdiction over their expungement motions because the charges had been dropped. The 6th Circuit affirmed the decision. Benit and Valueland have asked the Supreme Court to review the case, arguing that a circuit split exists over the issue.