This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
The federal government is facing a million-dollar-plus claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act for the Biden administration's raid on a Massachusetts monastery and various related groups because authorities claimed officials there were misusing COVID funds in a case that shortly later was dropped.
It is Judicial Watch that this week announced the launch of an effort to obtain justice for the people and groups Biden targeted.
"Judicial Watch is honored to stand up for Father Andrew and Ms. Stockton for their horrendous anti-Christian mistreatment at the hands of the weaponized Biden Department of Justice," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.
The case involves Father Brian Andrew Bushell, Tracey Stockton, a lawyer, the Shrine of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Paul's Foundation, the Annunciation House, and the Marblehead Brewing Company, all described as "victims of the acts of federal government employees acting in the scope of their official duties."
The damages are being sought for both economic and non-economic damages that were inflicted because of government's "malicious prosecution, false arrest and imprisonment, assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress."
The battle dates back to Oct. 13, 2022 when federal agents raided the St. Nicholas monastic complex in Marblehead, Mass., and arrested Father Brian Andrew Bushell, 50, and Tracey M.A. Stockton, a lawyer.
"The Biden Justice Department accused Bushell of being a 'purported' monk and alleged that he and Stockton improperly used COVID relief funds," Judicial Watch documented.
However, the case proved to have no substance and charges were dismissed later.
Bushell now is accusing former Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins of weaponizing "the DOJ, FBI and other federal agents to manufacture a pack of lies to destroy St. Nicholas, me and intimidate God-fearing Orthodox Christians," Judicial Watch reported.
Later, Rollins, a Biden appointee, was publicly reprimanded by state bar regulators based on a DOJ investigation that found Rollins improperly attended a Democratic fundraising event in her capacity as a prosecutor with then-First Lady Jill Biden.
Rollins also was accused of "knowingly and willfully" making false statements while being interviewed by former Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz's office.
The dispute charges the federal government with deliberately malicious acts by "federal agents who participated in the preparation or execution of the warrants on October 13, 2022."
Judicial Watch reported St. Paul's Foundation is demanding at least $1,777,124.66 for legal fees incurred in the war, while the Shrine of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is seeking at least $518,700 in damages.
