Freeman Disciple Accuses U.S. of Scam as Fraud Trial Opens

As she went on trial for fraud and money laundering, Freemen disciple M. Elizabeth Broderick told jurors Wednesday that the federal government, not she, was running a scam on the American people.

But a federal prosecutor insisted he will prove that Broderick, 53, of Palmdale, and two co-defendants carried out a massive $800-million check fraud scheme.

The scam allegedly was hatched after Broderick attended a seminar in 1995 by Montana Freemen leader Leroy Schweitzer, Assistant U.S. Atty. Aaron Dyer said.

If the opening statements are any indication, the jury’s key task in the monthlong fraud case will be determining the line between dogma and duplicity.

The Freemen and other members of the “Patriot movement” believe that the government is illegal and has no power over them once they renounce their citizenship. They also assert that paper money issued by the government is worthless.

Dyer told jurors that the government will prove that Broderick, who is acting as her own attorney, and two co-defendants--Barry Switzer of Canyon Country and Julian Cheney, a Reseda chiropractor--conspired to issue 8,000 bogus government checks to dupe creditors and to profit themselves. Broderick also is accused of trying to launder the money by setting up phony foundations and hiding it in bank accounts under other people’s names.