Philly Prosecutors Accused of Illegally Funding Office

A class-action lawsuit accuses Philadelphia prosecutors of illegally seizing homes to help fund their office.
 
The lawsuit states that Philadelphia seizes nearly $6 million in homes, cars and cash each year -- far more than the $1.2 million seized in Los Angeles.
 
Civil rights lawyers announcing the lawsuit Tuesday say the funds provide 20 percent of the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office budget.
 
The civil asset forfeiture law allows property to be seized if police believe it is linked to drugs or other crimes.
 
However, lawyers complain the property can be seized even without convictions.
 
Institute for Justice lawyer Scott Bullock says ``police and prosecutors should not be profiting from their law-enforcement decisions.''
 
The district attorney's office says it uses the law appropriately to address nuisance properties and protect law-abiding neighbors.