Viva Pat Caswell (1941–2025)

Pat Caswell never sought the limelight—and she sure never thought that, in her late 60s, she would have to take on the U.S. Attorney’s office in Boston to save the motel that she and her husband, Russ, and their family had owned since the 1950s. But that’s exactly what the family had to endure when, in 2009, the federal government and the local police department filed a civil forfeiture action—not against Russ and Pat, of course, but against the motel: United States v. 434 Main Street, Tewksbury, Mass.

The government never claimed that Pat or Russ had been involved in any criminal activity. Indeed, they had always lived quiet, law-abiding lives. But the feds insisted that they should be held responsible for the unlawful activities of the guests at the motel, a tiny fraction of whom committed drug crimes while staying at the budget spot. (Drug crimes also routinely occur at much larger and more expensive hotels, but the government never seems to file forfeiture actions against those properties.)

When IJ heard about the forfeiture suit against the motel, we were honored to represent the Caswells in a vitally important lawsuit early on in our initiative challenging civil forfeiture. During the course of a four-year ordeal, Pat suffered from a life-threatening heart ailment. So not only did the Caswells stand to lose their family business (which was essentially their retirement plan), but they also stood to lose the matriarch of this wonderful family. Displaying the bravery typical of so many of our clients, the Caswells nevertheless stood firm and continued the fight. In early 2013, we won: The motel was saved from forfeiture.

The Caswells eventually sold the motel, but the proceeds went to the Caswell family rather than to federal and state law enforcement agencies. Pat continued to live for over another decade, a time she enjoyed in peaceful retirement as she and Russ spent time with their family and cruised around in his hot rod, listening to Elvis along the way. The Caswells celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September, but they lost Pat in January of this year. Russ is heartbroken but takes comfort in knowing that we will continue to build upon their powerful legacy of challenging forfeiture abuse—and prevailing.

Scott Bullock is IJ’s president and chief counsel.