FBI Legally Destroys Ferrari F50

This tale starts all the way back in 2003. A gentleman had his Ferrari F50 stolen from him. Sad, but he received a check from Motors Insurance and moved on. At some point, the FBI was able to retrieve the stolen vehicle during a sting, then subsequently wrapped it around a tree.

The story may have ended there, but Motors Insurance wanted to be reimbursed for a vehicle that they legally owned after paying on the claim. The FBI told them to fly a kite, so they sued. They lost. Despite Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Hamilton Thompson admitting he was invited for a ‘short ride’, and the ride had no real purpose other than being in a Ferrari, a judge ruled that ”law enforcement has immunity when it comes to property in its possession.”

It seems that the police are legally allowed to do as they please with any item in their possession even if they destroy it just playing around. Wouldn’t it be nice to be allowed to destroy anything you pleased and just say too bad to the owner. Apparently ‘Serve and Protect” doesn’t apply to property in custody.