United States v. 3 Diamond Rings

The United States, libelant herein, seeks a forfeiture of respondents under Section 1497 of Title 19 U.iS.C.A. on the grounds that they were not declared when imported into the United .States.

Two persons, Cote Rasmadze and Paloma de Sandoval, appeared as claimants. The former purports to have purchased the jewelry during World War II while residing in Paris. The latter, a peripatetic terpsichorean of Spanish nationality, has a much more plausible story O'f having acquired the rings and bracelets variously as fruits of 'her abilities. Unfortunately, according to her, among the valuables she entrusted to Cote while living with him in Paris were respondents, and he betrayed her by absconding with them. Militating against this tale is the fact that in 1949 she executed a disclaimer of ownership, addressed to the Treasury Department in-which she denied having any interest in the jewelry. . She now claims that said disclaimer was the product of coercion and duress. The evidence failed to sustain her position in this regard. Even if her title were acknowledged the court would find it necessary to infer that she entrusted the jewelry to Rasmadze to secure her entrance into this country,…