The Department of Justice is changing its method of providing public notice for civil and administrative forfeitures.  The Government has traditionally published forfeiture notices in newspapers.  Instead, the Government will now post generalized notices at www.forfeiture.gov. 

The Government must provide actual notice of forfeiture proceedings to those the Government knows have claimed an interest in property to be forfeited.  In a fact pattern the Sixth Circuit characterized as "befitting a John Grisham novel," the Government dug up (literally) a fraudster’s $250,000 on a golf course.  The Government found the money in October 2009 and instituted forfeiture proceedings.  In November and December 2009, the Government posted a generalized notice of forfeiture on the internet.

Yesterday, Dexia S.A., a European bank that was rescued by the French and Belgian governments in September 2008, announced that it would no longer rely on state guarantees for future funding. All debt instruments issued prior to June 30, 2010 will remain guaranteed by the government pursuant to their terms.

Yesterday, Dubai World, the struggling investment branch of the emirate of Dubai, announced that it had tentatively reached an agreement with a group of banks to restructure $23.5 billion in debt. The tentative agreement was reached with the Coordinating Committee, which represents approximately 60% of Dubai World's creditors. Dubai World needs the approval of all of its creditors to finalize the agreement.

Yesterday, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit of the House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing entitled “The Condition of Financial Institutions: Examining the Failure and Seizure of an American Bank.” Participants in the hearing examined the current state of U.S.