Iowa Code Title III. Public Services and Regulation [Chs. 80-122C] § 99F.16. Forfeiture of property

1. Anything of value, including all traceable proceeds including but not limited to real and personal property, moneys, negotiable instruments, securities, and conveyances, is subject to forfeiture to the state of Iowa if the item was used for any of the following:

2. Except for coins authorized in section 99F.9, subsection 3, all moneys, coin, and currency found in close proximity of wagers, or of records of wagers are presumed forfeited. The burden of proof is upon the claimant of the property to rebut this presumption.

3. Subsections 1 and 2 do not apply if the act or omission which would give rise to the forfeiture was committed or omitted without the owner's knowledge or consent.

4. Upon receipt of forfeited property, the county attorney or attorney general shall permit an owner or lienholder of record having a nonforfeitable property interest in the property the opportunity to purchase the property interest forfeited. If the owner or lienholder does not exercise the option under this subsection within thirty days the option is terminated, unless the time for exercising the option is extended by the county attorney or attorney general.

5. A person having a valid, recorded lien or property interest in forfeited property, which has not been purchased pursuant to subsection 4, shall either be reimbursed to the extent of the nonforfeitable interest or to the extent that the sale of the item produces sufficient revenue to do so, whichever amount is less. The sale of forfeited property should be conducted in a manner which is commercially reasonable and calculated to provide a sufficient return to cover the costs of the sale and reimburse any nonforfeitable interest. The validity of a lien or property interest is determined as of the date upon which property becomes forfeitable.

6. This section does not preclude a civil suit by an owner of an interest in forfeited property against the party who, by criminal use, caused the property to become forfeited to the state.