The Hidden Third The Woman Who Took On Amazon
Feb 25, 2026
Amy Nelson, attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of The Riveter, fought back after her family’s bank accounts were seized and federal authorities descended. She recounts FBI raids, civil asset forfeiture, Amazon’s leverage with prosecutors, and going public on social media. Short, tense stories reveal how power, law, and publicity collided and what it costs to stand up to a trillion-dollar company.
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FBI Knock Led To Full Bank Account Seizure
- In April 2020 the FBI served Amy Nelson's husband with a target letter and warned they intended to seize the family's bank accounts.
- Six weeks later the DOJ emptied every bank account they owned, including funds Amy had received from her husband.
Always Request A Lawyer Before Talking To FBI
- Never speak to law enforcement without an attorney, even if you believe you're innocent.
- Amy explains the common trap: agents say 'this is your chance to help yourself' to elicit incriminating statements.
Civil Forfeiture Forces Pleas By Strangling Defense Funds
- Civil asset forfeiture lets the government seize assets suspected of ties to crime without charging the owner.
- Amy shows how forfeiture can destroy a family's ability to pay defense counsel and forces plea pressure.