The Government Goes After Chantal’s Jewelry

In legal documents filed in the Orlando, Florida, United States District Court on October 4, 2000, the Assistant United States Attorney has requested that William and Chantal’s personal jewelry be forfeited to the United States. The jewelry, valued at $36,000, was awarded to Chantal and William by the same jury that convicted them on fraud and money laundering charges. The jury ruled that the jewelry should be returned to William and Chantal.

In court cases this past year, the government has attempted to seize the two million dollars in legal fees paid by William McCorkle to F. Lee Bailey. The government successfully argued that the monies were fraudulently earned and therefore subject to seizure, and that Bailey had to return the money. Bailey has claimed that he is broke and doesn’t have the money. Now, the government is going after William and Chantal for the money. Since the government has already seized all of the McCorkle’s assets, they are trying to claim the one and only thing the jury said belonged to Chantal – her jewelry.

Since November, 1998, the government has continued to hold the jewelry. This includes many pieces that were gifts to Chantal from family members, including a gold necklace that had been her father’s. The response to the government, prepared by Chantal’s lawyer and filed October 19, 2000, argues that Chantal’s case is still under appeal and that, should she win her appeal, the government could never replace the jewelry since the monetary value is not nearly as significant as the sentimental value.