After being elected "true governor" of Washington state in 1998 by an antigovernment group, James D. Brailey plots to kill actual governor Gary Locke.
After being elected "true governor" of Washington state in 1998 by an antigovernment group, James D. Brailey plots to kill actual governor Gary Locke.
A Louisiana 'Empress,' head of the obscure common-law group Washitaw de Dugdahmoundyah, faces charges of tax evasion and mail and wire fraud.
Leaders of the antigovernment Republic of Texas group planned to purchase a building to become their 'capital.'
For many people employed as country clerks, court recorders and other government jobs, the fear of threat and attacks by an antigovernment common-law zealot never ends.
For years, the Montana Freemen issued 'common-law' edicts harassing local officials and others, but after a standoff with the FBI, a federal trial seems likely to topple their group.
The 'common-law courts' have been the most radical and active part of the antigovernment "Patriot" movement for the past three years, making threats and issuing dangerous false legal documents.
The Montana Freeman's philosophy, while rooted in antigovernment and 'common law' ideology, is also racist.
New York City is caught unawares by common-law ideology when almost 100 city employees were arrested for tax evasion.
The first chapter in the strange story of the Washitaw 'empress' took place in a tiny northern Louisiana town.
So-called "sovereign citizens" are notorious for engaging in a variety of schemes involving money, false identification documents and the courts — scams that land them in criminal trouble with remarkable regularity.