Forfeiture Hearings Begin on Lepp Property -- Slippers Returned

freeman HempEvolution.org

San Francisco Nov 1, 2004 -- A sniffling Eddy Lepp appeared before Judge Marilyn Hall Patel to determine the status of his case, when he was arrested on August 18th, 2004 on cultivation charges by the DEA.

US Prosecutor David Hall reported that the motion for discovery of all documents in the case was proceeding normally, and before court began, announced to Dennis Roberts, Eddy's counsel, that asset forfeiture proceedings had started against Lepp, although the feds were returning Eddy's bedroom slippers and a few other items that had been seized. The feds also listed $150 over the amount Eddy claimed was missing.

However, the prosecution asserted they hadn't taken his passport nor had possession of it..

Judge Patel ruled that Mr. Lepp may travel to Amsterdam over Thanksgiving to attend the Cannabis Cup, asking, "Why not? What the big deal?"  She added that Eddy may apply for a new passport if the old one wasn't returned.

Mr. Lepp's next scheduled appearance is Monday, December 6th, 2004 at 11 AM, Courtroom 15, 18th floor; 450 Golden Gate Ave.