Expert: Chris Wagoner - 2/25/2009

Question
My bf was recently sent to jail for a conspiracy charge. A FBI agent came to him and wanted to work with him to help him get out in exchange for information.The FBI agent asked him questions about his family and I was brought up because I worked at a bank and the agent asked which one and long story short he knew me from banking there.Well he explained to my bf he would get him out if he gave him information because he knew me and knew I was a good person and we were trying to move out of the city.My bf asked me to get up with him since he ended up not showing back up after a few days .I got his number from the bank computer. (in the past he had always told me if I needed help with anything I could call him).So when I called it was his wife's cell and I ended up talking to him and I apologized that I called that number and I asked him if there was another number he would want me to call instead since I didn't feel comfortable calling his wife's phone to get up with him and he said it was fine, he then explained the situation to me and said to let my bf know that he was coming up there the next day with his boss to get him out. He said he had something to do in the morning and then he would be there in the afternoon and I said to him I don't want to tell him he's getting out and then it not happen and he said no let him know I'm 80-95% sure it will happen tomorrow.No show the next day and even the next 3 days.Well I called his wife's number on the 3rd day and no answer, didn't leave a message. I called again 4 more days later and she answered and I asked if her husband was available and she said no he's in a meeting. I then asked her to ask him to please call me and gave her my number and name.My bf had moved to somewhere else and I wanted to let him know.Well that day the FBI agents (partners of the guy I was contacting) came into my bank and got statements from me and I was terminated for breaking policy.(cause I got his number from the computer)Well they decided to let my manager know about why I was contacting him (which embarrassed me because it is no ones business).Then 6 days after I was fired I was in the shower and when I got out there was about 7 FBI agents in my house.They told me to get dressed and they had a search warrant. I got dressed and they told me they were here because I had a warrant out for "accessing computers", they said they weren't looking for anything but info on the agent I contacted. I told them I didn't have anything and they could search and take whatever they needed.They asked me why I didn't answer the door when the knocked and I told them because I didn't hear them and I was in the shower.The boss man then told me he thought I was flushing stuff done the toilet. Then my vent was open because I was going to change the filter that day and one guy asked why it was open so I explained and he made a remark of "are you sure you aren't stashing stuff up there, cause that would be a good stash spot". I then was realizing they weren't here for what they said, because they were looking through my laundry and places I wouldn't have personal info on someone. I then made the remark are you sure you guys aren't here for drugs because that's what it seems like. Well they ended up only taking a letter that my bf had written me about how messed up it was that he gave info out and the agent never came back to him to do what he had promised. They didn't even take my computer like they said they were going to! I ended up getting arrested because of the warrant. When I came back I then was able to see they left all the paperwork including the warrant they didn't even show me before searching. On the statements from the agent and the wife are false. The dates are wrong and she said I asked him to contact my bf at the jail he wasn't even at anymore. On the warrant my offense date is the date my bf went to jail. Everything is all messed up. I cant even sleep at night, I'm up until 4-5 in the morning because I am always hearing noises around my house and I feel unsafe because I never know when someone is just going to break in my house again. I was wondering if I have a law suit. I think I have a few, but I know it will be hard since I'm dealing with the FBI. But they shouldn't be able to lie on court documents just because of who they are.

Answer
Hi Jenna,

Everyone has the right to seek civil redress for what they think is a wrong that was done to them. If you feel you were wrongly treated, you should seek the advice of a lawyer who works civil rights violations cases.

From what you wrote, I don't see any real violations of your rights, the errors or incorrect information on the documents is more of an issue for your criminal defense case, rather than a civil case. But you will never know until you check with a lawyer.

My suggestion is to contact a lawyer and bring all your documentation with you so they can see everything.

I wish you well and good luck..