False lien
Encyclopedia
A false lien is a lien
that has no factual or legal basis, or is based upon false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations. The filing of false liens is sometimes used as a tool of harassment in paper terrorism
, often against government officials. The practice was pioneered by the Posse Comitatus. The Bureau of Prisons has responded by treating lien documents and personal information (such as Social Security Number
s) of federal agents, judges, etc. as contraband
in federal prison
s.
The U.S. Congress has criminalized the filing of false liens and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines treat the filing of a false lien against a government official as equally serious to threatening the government officials of the United States
. Various U.S. states have been developing innovative ways of combating false liens.
Lien
In law, a lien is a form of security interest granted over an item of property to secure the payment of a debt or performance of some other obligation...
that has no factual or legal basis, or is based upon false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or representations. The filing of false liens is sometimes used as a tool of harassment in paper terrorism
Paper terrorism
Paper terrorism is a neologism to refer to the use of false liens, frivolous lawsuits, bogus letters of credit, and other legal documents lacking sound factual basis as a method of harassment, especially against government officials. These methods are popular among some anti-government groups and...
, often against government officials. The practice was pioneered by the Posse Comitatus. The Bureau of Prisons has responded by treating lien documents and personal information (such as Social Security Number
Social Security number
In the United States, a Social Security number is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents under section 205 of the Social Security Act, codified as . The number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, an independent...
s) of federal agents, judges, etc. as contraband
Contraband
The word contraband, reported in English since 1529, from Medieval French contrebande "a smuggling," denotes any item which, relating to its nature, is illegal to be possessed or sold....
in federal prison
Federal prison
Federal prisons are run by national governments in countries where subdivisions of the country also operate prisons.In the United States federal prisons are operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In Canada the Correctional Service of Canada operates federal prisons. Prison sentences in these...
s.
The U.S. Congress has criminalized the filing of false liens and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines treat the filing of a false lien against a government official as equally serious to threatening the government officials of the United States
Threatening the government officials of the United States
Threatening the government officials of the United States is a serious crime under federal law. Threatening the President of the United States is a Class D felony under , punishable by 5 years of imprisonment, that is investigated by the United States Secret Service...
. Various U.S. states have been developing innovative ways of combating false liens.