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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFBI agents raid headquarters of major U.S. body broker
Source: Reuters
#U.S.NOVEMBER 7, 2017 / 3:47 PM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO
Exclusive: FBI agents raid headquarters of major U.S. body broker
John Shiffman, Brian Grow
4 MIN READ
PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) - Federal agents have seized records from a national company that solicits thousands of Americans to donate their bodies to science each year, then profits by dissecting the parts and distributing them for use by researchers and educators.
The search warrant executed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at MedCure Inc headquarters here on November 1 is sealed, and the bureau and the company declined to comment on the nature of the FBI investigation. But people familiar with the matter said the inquiry concerns the manner in which MedCure distributes body parts acquired from its donors.
MedCure is among the largest brokers of cadavers and body parts in the United States. From 2011 through 2015, documents obtained under public-record laws show, the company received more than 11,000 donated bodies and distributed more than 51,000 body parts to medical industry customers nationally. In a current brochure, the company says that 80,000 additional people have pledged to donate their bodies to MedCure when they die.
FBI spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele confirmed the day-long search of the 25,000-square-foot facility, but declined to comment further because the matter is under seal. A person familiar with the matter said that FBI agents took records from MedCure but did not remove human remains.
The search warrant, though sealed, signals that an FBI investigation of MedCure has reached an advanced stage. To obtain a search warrant to seize records, rather than demand them via subpoena, FBI agents must provide a detailed affidavit to a U.S. magistrate with evidence to support probable cause that crimes have been committed and that related records may be on the premises.
-snip-
Exclusive: FBI agents raid headquarters of major U.S. body broker
John Shiffman, Brian Grow
4 MIN READ
PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) - Federal agents have seized records from a national company that solicits thousands of Americans to donate their bodies to science each year, then profits by dissecting the parts and distributing them for use by researchers and educators.
The search warrant executed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at MedCure Inc headquarters here on November 1 is sealed, and the bureau and the company declined to comment on the nature of the FBI investigation. But people familiar with the matter said the inquiry concerns the manner in which MedCure distributes body parts acquired from its donors.
MedCure is among the largest brokers of cadavers and body parts in the United States. From 2011 through 2015, documents obtained under public-record laws show, the company received more than 11,000 donated bodies and distributed more than 51,000 body parts to medical industry customers nationally. In a current brochure, the company says that 80,000 additional people have pledged to donate their bodies to MedCure when they die.
FBI spokeswoman Beth Anne Steele confirmed the day-long search of the 25,000-square-foot facility, but declined to comment further because the matter is under seal. A person familiar with the matter said that FBI agents took records from MedCure but did not remove human remains.
The search warrant, though sealed, signals that an FBI investigation of MedCure has reached an advanced stage. To obtain a search warrant to seize records, rather than demand them via subpoena, FBI agents must provide a detailed affidavit to a U.S. magistrate with evidence to support probable cause that crimes have been committed and that related records may be on the premises.
-snip-
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-bodies-fbi-exclusive/exclusive-fbi-agents-raid-headquarters-of-major-u-s-body-broker-idUSKBN1D72SL
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FBI agents raid headquarters of major U.S. body broker (Original Post)
Eugene
Nov 2017
OP
They better watch that body of evidence closely, or they might lose their case
Baitball Blogger
Nov 2017
#7
Laffy Kat
(16,377 posts)1. Hope they get to the heart of it.
FSogol
(45,476 posts)2. and that all the investigations don't cost us an arm and a leg.
Laffy Kat
(16,377 posts)3. Hard to stomach such a thing. nt
FSogol
(45,476 posts)4. It takes a lot of guts to take on corporate body brokers.
Baitball Blogger
(46,700 posts)7. They better watch that body of evidence closely, or they might lose their case
by a nose.
FSogol
(45,476 posts)9. Someone's rear end will be exposed at MedCure Inc. They won't come out of this scandal clean.
malaise
(268,930 posts)5. I can't stomach this
WhiskeyGrinder
(22,326 posts)6. Lend me your ears. At least someone shouldered the burden.
Tommy_Carcetti
(43,174 posts)8. Anyone with half a brain should have seen this coming. nt
magicarpet
(14,144 posts)10. What... are they charging an arm and a leg...
.... for body parts ?
They should nose that ain't legal.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)11. I'll keep an eye on this story.
GreatCaesarsGhost
(8,584 posts)12. Skullduggery. The game's afoot!
malaise
(268,930 posts)13. Wish Pinboy3niner was still alive
Would have loved his response
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)14. This is just nuts 🥜
RandomAccess
(5,210 posts)15. And creepy as all get out
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)16. Not really.
There is a big market for things like penile implants that rely on collagen. Body parts may be misused and violating the wishes of donors.