http://www.phillynews.com/inquirer/99/Nov/03/pa_west/SEYF03.htm

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Warrant: Official illegally bought goods

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ERIE - Concern about a Y2K crisis prompted State Rep. Tracy Seyfert to illegally obtain an electrical generator and fuel tank from the federal government, according to a search warrant.

Seyfert (R., Erie) had Elk Creek Township officials buy the generator and 500-gallon fuel tank so that she could use them for her house and motel, a property called Tracy's Ridge, according to the warrant.

She paid the suburban Erie township $2,000 in cash for the equipment so that it could not be traced to her, the warrant said.

Seyfert, 57, has not been charged.

Her attorney, Tim Lucas, has said a mix-up in the federal government's surplus property program may explain how the generator got to Seyfert's home.

Seyfert was "very concerned about running her hotel/motel residence during the 'Y2K' crisis," or the fear that global computer problems will cause chaos Jan. 1, according to the warrant. Seyfert raises wild birds on the property and needs electricity to keep bird eggs warm, the FBI said.

The FBI used the search warrant to seize the generator and the fuel tank from her property in a Sept. 9 raid. The generator is marked with the words, "Property of the U.S. Air Force," FBI Special Agent Sean VanSlyke said.

The FBI said Seyfert knew she was breaking the law by arranging to get the surplus equipment, which the law says can go only to certain nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations.

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), November 03, 1999

Answers

Unfortunately, elected officials break the law in many ways and frequently. This woman obtained the surplus government equipment illegally and got caught. I applaud her reasons for wanting to have the generator but she should have done what many of us havepurchased it legally. The fact that the FBI was involved should not be read as another conspiracy. This is the type of criminal case that the FBI is responsible for.

-- Truth (at@the.ready), November 03, 1999.

At least she paid for it.

-- Forrest Covington (theforrest@mindspring.com), November 03, 1999.

Now she pays the piper...

-- Randolph (dinosaur@williams-net.com), November 03, 1999.

Thank goodness the FBI is watching out for our safely and protecting us from those millennial terrorists like this woman. Why she probably had food and water stored also. Scary isn't it?

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), November 04, 1999.

Hmmmn. She's a Republican, and Reno's Justice Dept promptly investigates and arrests her - quite properly, actually.

How come she ignores Democratic treason, interferes with investigations of Democratic fund raisers, and blocks investigations of foreigners who have paid the Democratic party?

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Marietta, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), November 04, 1999.