United States of America, Appellant, v. Max Abramson et al., Appellees.united States of America, Appellant, v. John Salanitro et al., Appellees, 501 F.2d 397 (8th Cir. 1974)

The cases before us, consolidated for purposes of review, present for decision one common issue, namely, the suppression of evidence obtained through wiretaps. We will confine our ruling to this issue, noting only, as to the charges made, that various violations of law pertaining to interstate gambling offenses were alleged.¹ 

Subsequent to the Government's notification that it intended to use at trial evidence obtained from wiretaps conducted pursuant to Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, 18 U.S.C. 2510-2520, defendants moved to suppress all evidence from the wire interception. Such motion was granted by the District Court, and the Government appeals under 18 U.S.C. 3731 and 2518(10) (b).

It is conceded by the Government in its brief that the files submitted to the Attorney General for authorization of the wiretap here involved 'were reviewed by Sol Lindenbaum (the Executive Assistant to the Attorney General) who concluded from his knowledge of the Attorney General's action in previous cases that the Attorney General would approve the request. Since the Attorney General was not available Sol Lindenbaum approved the request.'

The case is controlled by United States v. Giordano, 416 U.S. 505, 94 S. Ct. 1820, 40 L. Ed. 2d 341 (1974). 'Plainly enough, the Executive Assistant is neither the Attorney General nor a specially designated Assistant Attorney General,' id. 94 S. Ct. at 1825, who may authorize an application for intercept authority under 18 U.S.C. 2516.

The order of suppression is affirmed and the case remanded for further proceedings consistent herewith.