United States v. One Parcel of Real Property

780 F. Supp. 715, 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20076, 1991 WL 263250
CourtDistrict Court, D. Oregon
DecidedJuly 3, 1991
DocketCiv. 90-456-BE
StatusPublished
Cited by11 cases

This text of 780 F. Supp. 715 (United States v. One Parcel of Real Property) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Oregon primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. One Parcel of Real Property, 780 F. Supp. 715, 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20076, 1991 WL 263250 (D. Or. 1991).

Opinion

OPINION

BELLONI, District Judge.

The matters before me are the following motions:

1) The motion of claimant Patti Bailey for an order compelling discovery of the identity of a confidential informant (# 19-1) or, in the alternative, for an order dismissing the action pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 37 (#19-2);

2) The motion of the United States to strike Bailey’s affidavits, affirmative defenses and counterclaim (# 51);

3) The motion of Bailey to strike certain affidavits of Tracey Haig filed by the United States (#69); and

4) The motion of the United States for summary judgment of forfeiture against Bailey (#49).

UNDISPUTED FACTS

This is an action for the civil forfeiture of a residence located at 901 N.E. Lakewood Drive, Newport, Oregon. There are two claimants, Patti Bailey, the owner of the house, and the Bank of Newport, which holds a mortgage on the house. A default judgment has been entered as to all other potential claimants. The forfeiture action was commenced on May 15, 1990, after the execution of a search warrant at the house on February 1, 1990. The search warrant was issued on the basis of an affidavit dated January 30, 1990, by Special Agent Tracey S. Haig of the DEA. During the execution of the search warrant a small amount of marijuana, cocaine residue and drug paraphernalia were seized.

The January 30 affidavit relies heavily on information from two confidential informants, particularly the informant identified as Cl # 1. According to the January 30 affidavit, Cl # 1 provided information that Doug Rider (Bailey’s brother), Joseph Bailey (now Bailey’s husband), Bailey, and others were members of a multi-state cocaine smuggling and distribution organization based in Newport. The January 30 affidavit states that Cl # 1 provided particulars regarding Joseph Bailey, Bailey (then known as Patti Johnson), and the use of their residence at 901 N.E. Lakewood Drive, as well as other places, for cocaine distribution.

On the day the search warrant was executed, January 31, 1990, Agent Haig and Special Agent Jerry Pierce of the IRS interviewed Bailey at her workplace, the Bank of Newport. During that interview Bailey made certain admissions regarding the use and distribution of cocaine in 901 N.E. Lakewood Drive. Later on January 31, 1990, Joseph Bailey was interviewed by Agent Haig and Special Agent Jeffrey Wal-lenstrom of the DEA at 901 N.E. Lakewood Drive. At that time, Joseph Bailey was Bailey’s fiance and lived with her at 901 N.E. Lakewood Drive. Bailey’s brother, Doug Rider, was interviewed by Agent Haig and Special Agent Patrick Rowland of the Coast Guard on February 2, 1990. During their interviews Joseph Bailey and Doug Rider each made admissions regarding the use and distribution of cocaine in 901 N.E. Lakewood Drive.

When the complaint for forfeiture was filed in May, 1990, it was based upon a second affidavit by Agent Haig, dated February 26, 1990. This affidavit does not *719 include most of the information in the original affidavit, but is based on statements allegedly made in the interviews with Bailey and Joseph Bailey on January 31, 1990, and with Doug Rider on February 2, 1990.

Bailey and Joseph Bailey were married in April, 1990. No criminal charges have been filed against Bailey, Joseph Bailey or Doug Rider.

In July, 1990, Bailey filed an answer asserting seven affirmative defenses and a counterclaim. The affirmative defenses include the allegations that 901 N.E. Lakewood Drive was seized without due process of law in violation of the Fifth Amendment; that the United States is estopped from bringing this forfeiture action due to promises made by its agents; and that the forfeiture of 901 N.E. Lakewood Drive would be unconscionable because of the incidental and insignificant connection between the alleged illegal activity and the defendant property.

Bailey’s counterclaim alleges that on January 31, 1990, agents promised Bailey that she would suffer no adverse consequences of any kind, in exchange for her cooperation. Bailey alleges that she fully cooperated with the agents, but that the United States commenced this action in violation of its agreement. Bailey seeks specific performance of the agreement and an award of her costs and attorney fees incurred in defending this action.

In October, 1990, Bailey filed a motion to compel discovery and attached as exhibits 13 affidavits from her friends and relatives. In December, 1990, Bailey was deposed. She testified about certain topics, but asserted her Fifth Amendment privilege against self incrimination 29 times. Bailey refused to answer all questions regarding her involvement with illegal drugs, including the admissions she allegedly made on January 31, 1990, but answered some questions regarding the basis for her counterclaim. Joseph Bailey was deposed on February 22, 1991. He asserted his Fifth Amendment privilege 74 times, and also asserted spousal privilege as to certain questions. Doug Rider was also deposed on February 22, 1991, and asserted his Fifth Amendment privilege 12 times, in addition to asserting a blanket Fifth Amendment privilege as to the questions that Joseph Bailey had refused to answer.

DISCUSSION

1. Bailey’s Motion to Compel or Dismiss

Bailey moves to compel disclosure of information regarding the unidentified informants referred to in Agent Haig’s affidavit of January 30, 1990. Bailey asks for the names and addresses of the informants, and for an opportunity to depose the informants.

Bailey contends that under Roviaro v. United States, 353 U.S. 53, 62, 77 S.Ct. 623, 628, 1 L.Ed.2d 639 (1957), the public interest in protecting the informant’s identity is outweighed by Bailey’s right to prepare her case. Bailey contends that many of the factual statements attributed to Cl # 1 are untrue, and has submitted affidavits from various relatives and friends that purport to establish the untruth of various statements by Cl # 1.

In oral argument on this motion Bailey did not challenge the validity of the search warrant, but contended that interviewing Cl # 1 would help Bailey to attack the credibility of Agents Haig and Wallen-strom in connection with her estoppel defense and counterclaim. Bailey predicted that if Cl #1 was interviewed and confronted with Agent Haig’s affidavits, Cl # 1 would point out discrepancies between the information provided to Agent Haig and Agent Haig’s affidavits.

In Roviaro, the Supreme Court stated that the qualified privilege to withhold the identity of an informant “must depend upon the particular circumstances of each case, taking into consideration ... the possible significance of the informant’s testimony, and other relevant factors.” 353 U.S. at 62, 77 S.Ct. at 629. The other relevant factors include the likelihood of physical harm or retaliation against the informant or his family. Id.

The government has submitted a further affidavit by Agent Haig which states that the informants believe that they would be *720

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780 F. Supp. 715, 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20076, 1991 WL 263250, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-one-parcel-of-real-property-ord-1991.