Judge Denies Return of LaRouche Aide’s Papers

A federal judge on Friday rejected a motion by a top aide to political extremist Lyndon LaRouche seeking to force the government to return material seized in a raid last month at LaRouche’s headquarters.

U.S. District Judge Albert V. Bryan Jr. ruled that federal agents acted reasonably and with sufficient authorization in seizing notes and other material belonging to Edward Spannaus, treasurer of LaRouche’s 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns and a longtime aide to the fringe candidate.

In a motion filed under seal, Spannaus contended that his notes were improperly seized during the raid by federal agents Oct. 6 in Leesburg, Va. He also contended that his property enjoyed constitutional protections because of his role as a reporter for LaRouche publications and because they were notes of conversations with attorneys.

In arguing the case in federal court in Alexandria, Va., assistant U.S. Atty. Kent Robinson said the government planned to introduce Spannaus’ notes into evidence in the trials of 10 other followers of LaRouche who face charges in Boston. They were indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on charges of fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Robinson said the notebooks also are relevant to an investigation under way by another grand jury in the Alexandria District. His remark was the first time federal authorities have publicly acknowledged a second grand jury is investigating the LaRouche organization.

Spannaus has been subpoenaed by the grand jury in Boston to provide samples of his handwriting. Robinson, in an interview, confirmed that he said in court the purpose of that subpoena was to compare the handwriting with the seized notebooks.

Spannaus’ motion to return the evidence remains sealed. The federal search warrants and accompanying affidavit also have not been made public.