HANG ON — THE FBI ROBBED A BANK? THE STORY BEHIND A MIND-BLOWING CALIFORNIA RAID
"This was the largest armed robbery in United States history, and it was committed by the FBI." That jaw-dropping statement came from Robert Frommer, an attorney representing several hundred people whose safe deposit boxes were emptied during an FBI raid in 2021. The story is wild from start to finish. On that fateful day in March, armed FBI agents stormed a California strip mall and burst into a U.S. Private Vaults bank branch. They searched 1,400 safe deposit boxes and confiscated the contents of many of them — making off with roughly $86 million, plus valuable collectibles like coins, gold, and jewelry. Why would the agency do this? Well, after a two-year investigation, the FBI suspected U.S. Private Vaults was catering to drug dealers and other criminals hiding cash in Los Angeles. So, the agency obtained a warrant and raided the bank to look for proof.
drug money and closed its doors for good. However, that wasn’t the end of the saga.
Remember attorney Robert Frommer? Roughly 400 people who kept their money at U.S. Private Vaults hired him to get the contents of their safe deposit boxes back from the FBI. They said they weren’t criminals and wanted their money back. One of those people was Joseph Ruiz, who lost $57,000 in savings during the FBI raid. He filed a lawsuit, claiming the raid was unconstitutional. When the FBI accused Ruiz of making his money through illegal drug sales, Ruiz showed proof of his income, and in August 2021, the FBI agreed to return his funds. However, not every U.S. Private Vaults customer has been so lucky. In September 2022, a judge ruled that the FBI raid was legal under civil forfeiture laws and dismissed the depositors’ class-action lawsuit. An FBI spokesperson also said the agency was putting a process in place to return items to innocent owners, but as of March 2023, at least one person still claimed she hadn’t gotten her money back — even though she wasn’t criminally charged.
And apparently, they found it. After the raid, U.S. Private Vaults pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder
If this story ever becomes a Hollywood movie, we’ll be first in line at the box office.
5 LOCAL SPOTS TO ENJOY WITH YOUR FAMILY
The Kentucky Science Center (KYScienceCenter. org) — The Kentucky Science Center is Louisville's version of Melissa’s beloved City Museum in St. Louis. It’s an interactive place to let your inner child run wild alongside your kids or grandkids! Together, you can build a city, learn the science of water, build a circuit, or try leatherworking. Admission costs $23 per person, but people who receive SNAP or WIC can claim a free membership. Louisville Zoo (LouisvilleZoo.org) — Our local zoo lets you meet animals from Africa, Australia, South America, and islands worldwide! In addition to giraffes, zebras, and wallabies, your family can see polar bears, jaguars, and maned wolves. Wander through the Herpaquarium to learn about reptiles and fish, watch professional animal presentations, or enjoy the petting zoo (weather permitting). Admission rates vary, so visit LouisvilleZoo.org/plan for today’s prices.
The 21c Museum Hotel (21cMuseumHotels. com/Louisville) — You don’t have to stay at the 21c Museum Hotel to enjoy its contemporary art collection! If you have art lovers in your family, consider stopping in just to tour the 9,000 square feet of gallery space. It features sculptures, photos, textile art, and rotating interactive installations. Best of all, admission is always free! Louisville Nature Center (LouisvilleNatureCenter.org) — If a visit to the zoo is out of your price range (or you want to see more animals), head across the street to the Louisville Nature Center for a free education on our local wildlife. Meander through the gardens, peek at critters in the indoor terrariums, or enjoy a seasonal Turkey Trek or Owl Prowl. The Frazier History Museum (FrazierMuseum. org) — If you want to give your kids or grandkids an overview of Kentucky history in a single
afternoon, the Frazier History Museum is the place to go! The museum’s impressive collection of historical artifacts and its interactive exhibitions make learning history fun. To learn more about the Frazier History Museum and win a FREE annual pass for your family, check out Page 3 of this newsletter.
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