Bernard von NotHaus: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|American counterfeiter}} |
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'''Bernard von NotHaus''' is the creator of the [[Liberty dollar (private currency)|Liberty Dollar]] and co-founder of the Royal Hawaiian Mint Company |
'''Bernard von NotHaus''' is the creator of the [[Liberty dollar (private currency)|Liberty Dollar]] and co-founder of the Royal Hawaiian Mint Company in Hawaii.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.libertydollar.org/news-stories/pdfs/1166043540.pdf |title=Husband, wife lease Royal Hawaiian Mint NORFED founder issues RHM piece |date=December 18, 2006 |last=Gilkes |first=Paul}}</ref> He is also the founder of the Cannabis Spiritual Center, an educational institution that supports the use of marijuana in spiritual settings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freemarijuanachurch.org/content/mystory.html |title=My Story to Higher Consciousness |accessdate=2009-06-21 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602000655/http://freemarijuanachurch.org/content/mystory.html |archivedate=June 2, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref> Von NotHaus was convicted of [[counterfeiting]] in 2011, and was also accused of [[domestic terrorism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://charlotte.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel11/ce031811.htm|title=Defendant Convicted of Minting His Own Currency|date=March 18, 2011|work=Press release|publisher=Federal Bureau of Investigation|accessdate=March 19, 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321094220/http://charlotte.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel11/ce031811.htm|archivedate=March 21, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> He was sentenced to three years of probation, and was released from probation after serving one year. |
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According to the evidence introduced during his 2011 federal criminal trial in connection with his involvement with the Liberty Dollar, von NotHaus was the founder of an organization |
According to the evidence introduced during his 2011 federal criminal trial in connection with his involvement with the Liberty Dollar, von NotHaus was the founder of an organization named the National Organization for the Repeal of the Federal Reserve and Internal Revenue Code, commonly known as NORFED and known as Liberty Services. The FBI claimed 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.{{citation needed|date=May 2017}} |
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The silver round, the most popular form of Liberty Dollars, was made of one ounce of .999 fine silver, and the Liberty Dollar certificates were made in different colors and sizes. |
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==Federal government raid and confiscation== |
==Federal government raid and confiscation== |
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In September 2006, U.S. Mint informed [[Liberty dollar (private currency)|Liberty Dollar]] users that federal prosecutors had determined that the circulation of the medallions as "legal tender" is a federal crime. It was claimed that people were told or led to believe that they were US currency, but proponents of the Liberty Dollar were cautioned against making such a claim. Rather, they were told that it was an "item of barter," and could therefore lawfully be exchanged for other items in trade. |
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In 2007, about a dozen federal government agents seized nearly two tons of coins that featured the image of [[Ron Paul]], a libertarian Texas congressman. They also took about 500 pounds of silver and 40 to 50 ounces of gold.<ref name="courierpress.com">Tom Lovett, "Local Liberty Dollar 'Architect' Bernard von NotHaus convicted," March 19, 2011, ''Evansville Courier & Press'', at [https://www.nyccriminallawyer.com/local-liberty-dollar-architect-bernard-von-nothaus-convicted/].</ref> Von Nothaus and others sued the government on behalf of the many people who were the lawful owners of the silver and gold. Despite the 2011 conviction of Bernard von NotHaus on charges related to the manufacture and distribution of Liberty Dollars, U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Voorhees ruled in late 2014 that seized property not deemed as contraband should be returned pursuant to ownership claims.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.coinworld.com/news/precious-metals/2015/08/federal-government-to-return-millions-in-liberty-dollars-.all.html|title=Federal government to return millions in Liberty Dollars|work=Coin World|access-date=2018-10-01}}</ref> |
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==Criminal charges== |
==Criminal charges== |
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In connection with the Liberty Dollar business, a federal grand jury brought an indictment against von NotHaus and three others in May 2009 accusing him of [[counterfeiting]] U.S. currency.<ref name="Indictment 2009">Indictment, docket entry 3, May 19, 2009, case no. 5:09-cr-00027-RLV-DCK-1, ''United States v. Bernard von NotHaus et al.'', U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (Statesville Div.).</ref> Von NotHaus was arrested on June 6, 2009 and entered a plea of not guilty on July 28.<ref>Waiver of Personal Appearance at Arraignment and Entry of Plea of Not Guilty, docket entry 36, July 28, 2009, case no. 5:09-cr-00027-RLV-DCK-1, ''United States v. Bernard von NotHaus et al.'', U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (Statesville Div.).</ref> |
In connection with the Liberty Dollar business, a federal grand jury brought an indictment against von NotHaus and three others in May 2009, accusing him of [[counterfeiting]] U.S. currency.<ref name="Indictment 2009">Indictment, docket entry 3, May 19, 2009, case no. 5:09-cr-00027-RLV-DCK-1, ''United States v. Bernard von NotHaus et al.'', U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (Statesville Div.).</ref> Von NotHaus was arrested on June 6, 2009, and entered a plea of not guilty on July 28.<ref>Waiver of Personal Appearance at Arraignment and Entry of Plea of Not Guilty, docket entry 36, July 28, 2009, case no. 5:09-cr-00027-RLV-DCK-1, ''United States v. Bernard von NotHaus et al.'', U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (Statesville Div.).</ref> |
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In at least one interview, von NotHaus had been quoted as saying: "We never refer to the |
In at least one interview, von NotHaus had been quoted as saying: "We never refer to the Silver Liberty as a coin, nor as legal tender or current money...The word ‘coin’ is a government-controlled term. This is currency that is free from government control."<ref>Bill Morlin, "FBI raids seize dies, records in CdA [Coeur d'Alene]," Nov. 16, 2007, ''The Spokesman-Review'' (Spokane, Washington), at [http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2007/nov/16/fbi-raids-seize-dies-records-in-cda/].</ref> |
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On March 18, 2011, after a 90-minute jury deliberation, von NotHaus was found guilty on various counts, including the making of "counterfeit coins" (resembling legal tender coins).<ref name="courierpress.com"/><ref>Mary Jane Skala, "Guilty on two counts," March 18, 2011, ''Coin World'', at |
On March 18, 2011, after a 90-minute jury deliberation, von NotHaus was found guilty on various counts, including the making of "counterfeit coins" (resembling legal tender coins).<ref name="courierpress.com"/><ref>Mary Jane Skala, "Guilty on two counts," March 18, 2011, ''Coin World'', at {{cite web |url=http://coinworld.com/News/20110328/Bulletin720110328.aspx |title=Guilty on two counts |accessdate=2011-03-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321125056/http://www.coinworld.com/News/20110328/Bulletin720110328.aspx |archivedate=March 21, 2011 |df=mdy }}.</ref><ref>Clarke Morrison, "Liberty Dollar creator convicted in federal court," March 19, 2011, ''Asheville Citizen-Times'', at [http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20110319/NEWS01/110319006/1001/news/Liberty-Dollar-fake-currency-creator-convicted-federal-court?odyssey=nav%7Chead].</ref> U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina [[Anne Tompkins|Anne M. Tompkins]] described Bernard von NotHaus and the [[Liberty dollar (private currency)|Liberty dollar]] as "a unique form of domestic terrorism" that is trying "to undermine the legitimate currency of this country."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nysun.com/editorials/a-unique-form-of-terrorism/87269/ |title=A 'Unique' Form of 'Terrorism' |date=March 20, 2011|work=The New York Sun |accessdate=2011-04-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325052709/http://www.nysun.com/editorials/a-unique-form-of-terrorism/87269/ |archivedate=March 25, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> 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".<ref>Id.</ref> |
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According to the Associated Press: |
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According to the Associated Press:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_liberty_dollars_raid#mwpphu-post-form |accessdate=December 10, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20131216072542/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_liberty_dollars_raid |archivedate=December 16, 2013 }}</ref> |
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: Federal prosecutors successfully argued that von NotHaus was, in fact, trying to pass off the silver coins as U.S. currency. Coming in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50, the Liberty Dollars also featured a dollar sign, the word "dollar" and the motto "Trust in God," similar to the "In God We Trust" that appears on U.S. coins. |
: Federal prosecutors successfully argued that von NotHaus was, in fact, trying to pass off the silver coins as U.S. currency. Coming in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50, the Liberty Dollars also featured a dollar sign, the word "dollar" and the motto "Trust in God," similar to the "In God We Trust" that appears on U.S. coins.:<ref>{{cite web |title=Feds seek $7M in privately made 'Liberty Dollars' – Yahoo! News |url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_liberty_dollars_raid |access-date=6 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429231739/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_liberty_dollars_raid |archive-date=29 April 2011}}</ref> |
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He appealed his conviction but his appeal was denied on 10 November 2014.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} |
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Von NotHaus appealed his conviction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lfb.org/today/the-domestic-terrorist-you-can-call-a-hero/|title=Bernard von NotHaus: The ‘Domestic Terrorist’ You Can Call a Hero|last=Tucker|first=Jeffrey|date=September 10, 2013|work=Laissez Faire Club Today|publisher=Laissez Faire Books|accessdate=October 23, 2013}}</ref> Reemphasizing his contempt for the U.S. dollar, the appeal stated:<ref>[http://www.titanians.org/bernard-von-nothaus-seeks-acquittal-new-trial/ Bernard von NotHaus Seeks Acquittal, New Trial » Titania – the Open Source Ethical Society]</ref> |
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On November 11, 2014, Judge Voorhees denied von NotHaus' motion for acquittal. On December 2, 2014, he was sentenced to six months house arrest, with three years probation.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} |
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: ...if anything is clear from the evidence presented at trial, it is that the last thing Mr. von NotHaus wanted was for Liberty Dollars [to] be confused with coins issued by the United States government...His intention – to protest the Federal Reserve system – has always been plain. The jury's verdict conflates a program created to function as an alternative to the Federal Reserve system with one designed to [deceive] people into believing it was the very thing Mr. von NotHaus was protesting in the first place...the Liberty Dollars was not a counterfeit and was not intended to function as such. The verdict is a perversion of the counterfeiting statutes and should be set aside. |
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His probation officer suggested he file for early release from probation after one year, and recommended the early termination to the court. Termination of probation was formally granted.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}} |
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When asked about the government's motive for accusing him of terrorism, von NotHaus scoffed, "This is the United States government. It's got all the guns, all the surveillance, all the tanks, it has nuclear weapons, and it's worried about some ex-surfer guy making his own money? Give me a break!"<ref>{{cite news |title=Prison May Be the Next Stop on a Gold Currency Journey |last=Feuer |first=Alan |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/25/us/liberty-dollar-creator-awaits-his-fate-behind-bars.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |location=[[Malibu, California]]|archivedate=December 17, 2012 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6CydWCZca}}</ref> |
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On Nov 11th, 2014 Judge Voorhees denied von NotHaus' Motion for Acquittal.<ref>http://www.libertydollarnews.org/11102014/court%20_order_BVNH_sentencing.pdf</ref> On December 2, 2014 he was sentenced to 6 months house arrest, with 3 years probation.<ref>http://www.nysun.com/editorials/beyond-bernard-von-nothaus/88958/</ref> In an email he stated that his probation has been terminated early and he is now truly free. Termination of probation was formally granted December 9, 2015 by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Voorhees: http://www.libertydollarnews.org/2015dec/BVNH_pt.pdf |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://archive.lewrockwell.com/rockwell/use-the-dollar-or-else176.html Use the Dollar or Else] by Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. [[LewRockwell.com]] April 6, 2011 |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. --> |
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| NAME = Von Nothaus, Bernard |
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = |
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American counterfeiter |
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}} |
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[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] |
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:American financial businesspeople]] |
[[Category:American financial businesspeople]] |
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[[Category:American businesspeople convicted of crimes]] |
[[Category:American businesspeople convicted of crimes]] |
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[[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]] |
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Latest revision as of 23:47, 1 July 2024
Bernard von NotHaus is the creator of the Liberty Dollar and co-founder of the Royal Hawaiian Mint Company in Hawaii.[1] He is also the founder of the Cannabis Spiritual Center, an educational institution that supports the use of marijuana in spiritual settings.[2] Von NotHaus was convicted of counterfeiting in 2011, and was also accused of domestic terrorism.[3] He was sentenced to three years of probation, and was released from probation after serving one year.
According to the evidence introduced during his 2011 federal criminal trial in connection with his involvement with the Liberty Dollar, von NotHaus was the founder of an organization named the National Organization for the Repeal of the Federal Reserve and Internal Revenue Code, commonly known as NORFED and known as Liberty Services. The FBI claimed 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.[citation needed]
The silver round, the most popular form of Liberty Dollars, was made of one ounce of .999 fine silver, and the Liberty Dollar certificates were made in different colors and sizes.
Federal government raid and confiscation
[edit]In September 2006, U.S. Mint informed Liberty Dollar users that federal prosecutors had determined that the circulation of the medallions as "legal tender" is a federal crime. It was claimed that people were told or led to believe that they were US currency, but proponents of the Liberty Dollar were cautioned against making such a claim. Rather, they were told that it was an "item of barter," and could therefore lawfully be exchanged for other items in trade.
In 2007, about a dozen federal government agents seized nearly two tons of coins that featured the image of Ron Paul, a libertarian Texas congressman. They also took about 500 pounds of silver and 40 to 50 ounces of gold.[4] Von Nothaus and others sued the government on behalf of the many people who were the lawful owners of the silver and gold. Despite the 2011 conviction of Bernard von NotHaus on charges related to the manufacture and distribution of Liberty Dollars, U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Voorhees ruled in late 2014 that seized property not deemed as contraband should be returned pursuant to ownership claims.[5]
Criminal charges
[edit]In connection with the Liberty Dollar business, a federal grand jury brought an indictment against von NotHaus and three others in May 2009, accusing him of counterfeiting U.S. currency.[6] Von NotHaus was arrested on June 6, 2009, and entered a plea of not guilty on July 28.[7]
In at least one interview, von NotHaus had been quoted as saying: "We never refer to the Silver Liberty as a coin, nor as legal tender or current money...The word ‘coin’ is a government-controlled term. This is currency that is free from government control."[8]
On March 18, 2011, after a 90-minute jury deliberation, von NotHaus was found guilty on various counts, including the making of "counterfeit coins" (resembling legal tender coins).[4][9][10] U.S. 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."[11] 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".[12]
According to the Associated Press:
- Federal prosecutors successfully argued that von NotHaus was, in fact, trying to pass off the silver coins as U.S. currency. Coming in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50, the Liberty Dollars also featured a dollar sign, the word "dollar" and the motto "Trust in God," similar to the "In God We Trust" that appears on U.S. coins.:[13]
He appealed his conviction but his appeal was denied on 10 November 2014.[citation needed]
On November 11, 2014, Judge Voorhees denied von NotHaus' motion for acquittal. On December 2, 2014, he was sentenced to six months house arrest, with three years probation.[citation needed]
His probation officer suggested he file for early release from probation after one year, and recommended the early termination to the court. Termination of probation was formally granted.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ Gilkes, Paul (December 18, 2006). "Husband, wife lease Royal Hawaiian Mint NORFED founder issues RHM piece" (PDF).
- ^ "My Story to Higher Consciousness". Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-21.
- ^ "Defendant Convicted of Minting His Own Currency". Press release. Federal Bureau of Investigation. March 18, 2011. Archived from the original on March 21, 2011. Retrieved March 19, 2011.
- ^ a b Tom Lovett, "Local Liberty Dollar 'Architect' Bernard von NotHaus convicted," March 19, 2011, Evansville Courier & Press, at [1].
- ^ "Federal government to return millions in Liberty Dollars". Coin World. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^ Indictment, docket entry 3, May 19, 2009, case no. 5:09-cr-00027-RLV-DCK-1, United States v. Bernard von NotHaus et al., U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (Statesville Div.).
- ^ Waiver of Personal Appearance at Arraignment and Entry of Plea of Not Guilty, docket entry 36, July 28, 2009, case no. 5:09-cr-00027-RLV-DCK-1, United States v. Bernard von NotHaus et al., U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (Statesville Div.).
- ^ Bill Morlin, "FBI raids seize dies, records in CdA [Coeur d'Alene]," Nov. 16, 2007, The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Washington), at [2].
- ^ Mary Jane Skala, "Guilty on two counts," March 18, 2011, Coin World, at "Guilty on two counts". Archived from the original on March 21, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-18..
- ^ Clarke Morrison, "Liberty Dollar creator convicted in federal court," March 19, 2011, Asheville Citizen-Times, at [3].
- ^ "A 'Unique' Form of 'Terrorism'". The New York Sun. March 20, 2011. Archived from the original on March 25, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
- ^ Id.
- ^ "Feds seek $7M in privately made 'Liberty Dollars' – Yahoo! News". Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
External links
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