Pubdate: Mon, 26 Aug 2002
Source: Cincinnati Post (OH)
Copyright: 2002 The Cincinnati Post
Contact:  http://www.cincypost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/87
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

OFFICIAL FORFEITS $82,950

BATAVIA - The FBI has seized $82,950 in cash from a former Clermont
County coroner under forfeiture provisions of the federal Controlled
Substances Act.

The FBI seized $70,150 on June 21 from Dr. Nico Capurro at his Pierce
Township home and $12,800 at a rehabilitation clinic in Manchester,
where the physician worked.

Capurro has not been charged. The Controlled Substances Act allows the
seizure of cash and other property without charges as long as the FBI
has reason to believe the cash was linked to illegal drug activity,
FBI spokesman James Turgal said.

"An indictment is certainly what we're working toward," Turgal
said.

Details of the FBI's case remain under federal court seal, including
the contents of an affidavit filed by investigators to obtain search
warrants for the clinic and home.

Capurro, 75, resigned as coroner July 26 after it was revealed that
the Adams County clinic, where he had worked in May and June, was
under federal investigation.

He had been the coroner since 1971. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake