U.S. Seeks To Seize San Bernardino Shooter's Life Insurance As Survivors Speak Out
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Federal prosecutors on Tuesday filed a lawsuit to seize payments on life insurance policies taken out by San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook in the years before the December attacks.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles filed the civil asset forfeiture lawsuit for the two policies worth a total of $275,000.
"I do not believe that his family should get any of the insurance money," said Julie Paez, who was shot twice in the attacks and left for dead. "That money should go to the victims of the people he murdered."
Farook took out the two policies, one worth $25,000 in 2012 and the other, worth $250,000, in 2013, prosecutors said.
His mother was named as beneficiary of both policies. Farook's wife, Tashfeen Malik, died with him in a shootout with authorities after the Dec. 2 attack during which they shot and killed 14 people.
"I believe his family knew something was going on, and I don't think that money should go to them," Paez said. "That money should go to those affected by his actions. And he destroyed lives – destroyed families and changed lives."
Ryan Reyes, whose boyfriend Daniel Kaufman was killed in the attacks, says the couple's family should not benefit, but he does feel for their baby.
"Unfortunately, this child is going to have to grow up with the stigma of who the parents were," Reyes said. "That's going to follow them their entire life."
For Reyes and Paez, each day is about moving forward. Just months ago, Paez had rods in her pelvis, holding together shattered bones. Now, the rods are gone, but Paez needs more surgeries, and there are many levels to the uphill battle.
"We're not even six months in," Paez said. "I'm concerned that I won't get approvals for some of the things that my doctors have been asking for."
The U.S. Attorney's Office says that under federal law, assets derived from terrorism against the United States are subject to forfeiture. The lawsuit seeks to seize both the proceeds and the policies themselves.
"Terrorists must not be permitted to provide for their designated beneficiaries through their crimes," U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker said. "My office intends to explore every legal option available to us to ensure these funds are made available to the victims of this horrific crime. We will continue to use every tool available to seek justice on behalf of the victims."
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