Muslim Man Sues Government for Damages After Being Set Up in Alleged Terrorism Shakedown
A 39-year-old Muslim store owner has sued the government for damages he experienced because he alleges the FBI conspired with the California Alcohol and Beverage Control Board to “entrap” the Palestinian-born market owner into buying stolen cigarettes so the government could then investigate him to determine if he was providing money to terrorists.
Last year, he won the criminal case against him and charges for selling illegal cigarettes were dropped. The presiding judge said, "A reasonable person could draw the conclusion that this ABC undercover operation was a subterfuge for an FBI anti-terrorism investigation."
The man is now suing for more than $1 million in general and punitive damages for alleged discrimination, denial of equal protection under the law, humiliation, anxiety, detriment of character and monetary loss.
He said he lost hundreds of thousands of dollars and is now facing mortgage foreclosure because of the FBI’s stunt.
"I was living the American dream; my business was doing well. ... Now I'm ruined ... and for what? I did nothing wrong," said the man.
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