2 Michigan militia members sue authorities over 2010 raids

Federal lawsuit aimed at 3 FBI agents, state trooper

4/9/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS

DETROIT— Two members of a Michigan-based militia acquitted last year of plotting to overthrow the U.S. government have filed a federal lawsuit against three FBI agents and a state police trooper.

Michael Meeks of Manchester and Thomas Piatek of Whiting, Ind., say their constitutional rights were violated during raids on their homes in 2010.

The two Hutaree members as well as three members of Meeks’ family filed the lawsuit late last month in U.S. District Court in Detroit.

The Detroit Free Press reports the plaintiffs are seeking at least $25,000 in damages for each of the suit's 16 counts.

Both FBI spokesman Simon Shaykhet and Michigan State Police spokeswoman Tiffany Brown said Tuesday they had no comment.