[Enterprise]

"The measure, set for a battle royal next year, was given a boost this month when the Patriot Act was used in a corruption probe in Las Vegas that was unrelated in any way to terrorism, the supposed focus of the law, which was passed shortly after 9/11."

I hardly support money laundering but this was stupid beyond belief! The judge should throw the case out and sanction the officers and agency which brought the case before him.

[mrsmith]

Why?

The congress said when they passed it that the law was intended to apply to all money laundering in general- not just terrorism related.

In fact a whole other bill on money-laundering was added onto the Patriot Act. Congress well knew that they were not passing law just for terrorism.

[gdani]

There are several provisions of the most-discussed parts of the PATRIOT Act that, as written, do not apply to terrorism only -- including "sneak & peak" warrants, wiretapping & the seizure of various business & personal records/info.