civil asset forfeiture

"There has never been any vehicle for public accountability—the police department has vigorously resisted it. Finally, there will be some measure of accountability."

The IRS continued the practice, mostly targeting small business owners, after a 2014 directive was supposed to severely restrict it.

The NYPD has $68 million in seized money at a given time, documents show. Much of it is from people not charged with crimes.

And more than $6 million in fines.

Once the IRS has the money, they offer the parties a choice: pay a settlement, or face the threat of legal action while your money stays in limbo.