Lawsuit Targets San Bernardino Shooter's Life Insurance Policies

Federal prosecutors filed a civil asset forfeiture lawsuit Tuesday against the life insurance policies of San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook, according to authorities.

An application to seize the proceeds of the policies was filed in a Los Angeles court, along with the lawsuit. If approved, the application would allow the federal government to seize the proceeds of two life insurance policies, held by Farook and worth $275,000 total, said U.S. attorney Eileen M. Decker and Assistant Attorney General for National Security John P. Carlin.

Farook had obtained the two insurance policies through his employment with San Bernardino County, authorities said. He obtained one life insurance policy in 2012 for $25,000 and the second in 2013 for $250,000.

The application must be approved by a federal judge before the money can be seized by the government. Under federal law, any assets derived from a crime of terrorism again the U.S., its citizens or residents, or their property, are subject to forfeiture by the government, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

"Terrorists must not be permitted to provide for their designated beneficiaries through their crimes," Decker said. "My office intends to explore every legal option available to us to ensure these funds are made available to the victims of this horrific crime. We will continue to use every tool available to seek justice on behalf of the victims of the San Bernardino terrorist attacks."

On Dec. 2, Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, killed 14 people and injured 22 others when during a holiday party at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. The couple later died in a gun battle with authorities.

The FBI, along with local police departments, continue to investigate the mass shooting.