Bernard von NotHaus
Encyclopedia
Bernard von NotHaus is the creator of the Liberty Dollar
and co-founder of the Royal Hawaiian Mint Company. He created the Free Marijuana Church of Honolulu. Von NotHaus was labeled as a domestic terrorist by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation
in 2011.
According to the evidence introduced during the 2011 trial, von NotHaus was the founder of an organization called the National Organization for the Repeal of the Federal Reserve and Internal Revenue Code, commonly known as NORFED and also known as Liberty Services. The FBI claims that NORFED’s purpose was to mix Liberty Dollars into the current money of the United States and that NORFED intended for the Liberty Dollar to be used as current money in order to limit reliance on, and to compete with, United States currency.
in denominations of five dollars and greater, in violation of , , and ; one count of mail fraud in violation of and ; one count of selling, and possessing with intent to defraud, coins of resemblance and similitude of United States coins in denominations of five cents and higher, in violation of and ; and one count of uttering, passing, and attempting to utter and pass, silver coins in resemblance of genuine U.S. coins in denominations of five dollar
s or greater, in violation of and .
On July 28, 2009, von NotHaus entered a plea of not guilty.
On March 18, 2011, after a 90 minute jury deliberation http://coinworld.com/News/20110328/Bulletin720110328.aspx von NotHaus was found guilty on various counts, including the making of "counterfeit coins" (resembling legal tender coins). Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Anne M. Tompkins
, described Bernard von NotHaus and the Liberty dollar
as "a unique form of domestic terrorism” that is trying “to undermine the legitimate currency of this country.” The Justice Department press release quotes her as saying: “While these forms of anti-government activities do not involve violence, they are every bit as insidious and represent a clear and present danger to the economic stability of this country".
Liberty Dollar
The Liberty Dollar was a private currency produced in the United States. The currency was issued in minted metal rounds similar to coins, gold and silver certificates and electronic currency . ALD certificates are "warehouse receipts" for real gold and silver owned by the bearer, ALD certificate...
and co-founder of the Royal Hawaiian Mint Company. He created the Free Marijuana Church of Honolulu. Von NotHaus was labeled as a domestic terrorist by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
in 2011.
According to the evidence introduced during the 2011 trial, von NotHaus was the founder of an organization called the National Organization for the Repeal of the Federal Reserve and Internal Revenue Code, commonly known as NORFED and also known as Liberty Services. The FBI claims that NORFED’s purpose was to mix Liberty Dollars into the current money of the United States and that NORFED intended for the Liberty Dollar to be used as current money in order to limit reliance on, and to compete with, United States currency.
Federal government raid and confiscation
- In September 2006 U.S. Mint informed Liberty DollarLiberty DollarThe Liberty Dollar was a private currency produced in the United States. The currency was issued in minted metal rounds similar to coins, gold and silver certificates and electronic currency . ALD certificates are "warehouse receipts" for real gold and silver owned by the bearer, ALD certificate...
users that federal prosecutors had determined circulation of the medallions is a federal crime.
- In 2007 about a dozen federal government agents seized nearly two tons of coins that featured the image of Ron PaulRon PaulRonald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
, a Texas congressman. They also took about 500 pounds of silver and 40 to 50 ounces of gold.
Arrest and conviction
In connection with the Liberty Dollar business, a federal grand jury brought an indictment against von NotHaus and three others in May 2009, and von NotHaus was arrested on June 6, 2009. VonNotHaus was charged with one count of conspiracy to possess and sell coins in resemblance and similitude of coins of a denomination higher than five cents, and silver coins in resemblance of genuine coins of the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in denominations of five dollars and greater, in violation of , , and ; one count of mail fraud in violation of and ; one count of selling, and possessing with intent to defraud, coins of resemblance and similitude of United States coins in denominations of five cents and higher, in violation of and ; and one count of uttering, passing, and attempting to utter and pass, silver coins in resemblance of genuine U.S. coins in denominations of five dollar
Dollar
The dollar is the name of the official currency of many countries, including Australia, Belize, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States.-Etymology:...
s or greater, in violation of and .
On July 28, 2009, von NotHaus entered a plea of not guilty.
On March 18, 2011, after a 90 minute jury deliberation http://coinworld.com/News/20110328/Bulletin720110328.aspx von NotHaus was found guilty on various counts, including the making of "counterfeit coins" (resembling legal tender coins). Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Anne M. Tompkins
Anne Tompkins
Anne Magee Tompkins is an American lawyer who serves as the United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.- Early life and education :...
, described Bernard von NotHaus and the Liberty dollar
Liberty Dollar
The Liberty Dollar was a private currency produced in the United States. The currency was issued in minted metal rounds similar to coins, gold and silver certificates and electronic currency . ALD certificates are "warehouse receipts" for real gold and silver owned by the bearer, ALD certificate...
as "a unique form of domestic terrorism” that is trying “to undermine the legitimate currency of this country.” The Justice Department press release quotes her as saying: “While these forms of anti-government activities do not involve violence, they are every bit as insidious and represent a clear and present danger to the economic stability of this country".
External links
- Use the Dollar or Else by Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. LewRockwell.comLewRockwell.comLewRockwell.com is a 501 libertarian web magazine operated by Burton Blumert , Lew Rockwell , Eric Garris , and others associated with the Center for Libertarian Studies ; its motto is "anti-state, anti-war, pro-market"...
April 6, 2011 - Southern Poverty Law Center—Summer 2009
- an interview with Bernard von NotHaus