News Release
For Immediate Release
January 29, 2002

GREENLEAF BILL TO STOP BOGUS COURTS AND LICENSES CLEARS SENATE

HARRISBURG –Senate Bill 1048, a measure to prevent phony courts and phony license plates from proliferating in Pennsylvania, passed the Senate by a vote of 47-0.

Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf, sponsor of the proposal, explained that the trend in bogus legal actions and documents is encouraged by anti-government groups, including militia-type organizations, which target certain people for harassment by filing fake liens against their property or issuing fake summons and warrants. "In the areas where these groups operate, the use of phony license plates is another way that they demonstrate their disdain for the authority of the government," Greenleaf said.

Under the bill, use of a phony license plate would constitute a third degree misdemeanor, while the use of a fraudulent legal process would constitute a second degree misdemeanor.

Greenleaf noted that the legislation is based on a model act developed by the Anti-Defamation League. "The fact is that members of minority groups and government officials are often targeted by the types of groups that utilize bogus legal processes. All Pennsylvanians should be protected from such harassment and deliberately caused confusion. I hope that the House of Representatives takes positive action on this bill so that a law can be enacted," Greenleaf said.