Fisherman gets sued by Feds for throwing small fish back in ocean

In a case that defies the aphorism – “let the punishment fit the crime, ailment ” PLF (Pacific Legal Foundation) has just filed a friend of the court brief at the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of a Florida fisherman named John Yates.  Mr. Yates, rx a grandfather and commercial fishing boat captain for hire, order found himself ensnared by overzealous federal prosecution.  The government took the position that commercial fishermen, who already face overwhelming federal and state civil regulations on the size, amount and types of fish they catch, should also face the risk of decades in prison, as well.

What serious crime is Yates charged with?  If you can believe it – throwing three undersized fish back in the ocean.  The feds charged Yates with violating the Sarbane-Oxley Act, passed in 2002 after the Enron scandal.  It carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Our brief argues that the treatment of Mr. Yates is an abuse of government power that threatens Americans with exorbitant penalties for ordinary conduct that does not pose a significant threat to health, safety or the environment.

Learn more about:  United States v. John Yates.

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Pacific Legal Foundation: http://www.pacificlegal.org/

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