VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A local Army veteran has filed a lawsuit against the Virginia Beach Police Department alleging officers — under the knowledge and direction of the police chief — wrongfully confiscated financial assets, property and important documents without a warrant or an explanation during a SWAT raid at his business.

The lawsuit claims that the plaintiff, Andrew Silverstone, had his Fourteenth Amendment rights violated under the procedural due process clause. The suit also cites a count of civil rights conspiracy as well as Virginia’s state law that protects against conversion.

Silverstone, an Army veteran in Virginia Beach, is a veterinarian who owns his own clinic.

The lawsuit states that no charges were ever filed against Silverstone before or after the seizure of his property, leading to the plaintiff’s conclusion of it being an arbitrary search.

The property — described as being “unceremoniously” returned — was only retrieved through great effort more than a year after the initial raid, according to the lawsuit.

Passports have yet to be accounted for, according to the lawsuit.

Detective Eileen Davis and Police Chief Paul Neudigate were named as the co-defendants in the lawsuit. Davis was the lead detective initiating the seizures, with Neudigate overseeing the operation, the lawsuit alleges.

The complaint alleges that Virginia Beach officers executed a no-knock search warrant with SWAT teams armed with rifles at both Silverstone’s veterinary hospital and his wife’s dental lab. For more than 15 months, Silverstone was denied access to lawfully owned property, the suit states.

U.S. passports, credit cards, computers, tax returns and other important documents were seized, according to the lawsuit. Officers are also accused of confiscating Silverstone’s vehicle, freezing assets, including retirement accounts and seizing personal banking accounts.

“The seizures caused immediate and devastating financial, personal, emotional and
reputational harm,” the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit alleges that Silverstone’s constitutional rights were violated, as he was never provided with a warrant, a hearing or justification.

The plaintiff is seeking compensatory, punitive damages, coverage of legal fees and more.

The Virginia Beach Police Department has declined to comment.

WAVY has reached out to the city of Virginia Beach, but has not heard back.