Judge Hears Arguments on Lawsuit Over $82,000 Confiscated by TSA at Pittsburgh Airport

Rebecca Brown claims the TSA seized her father's life savings, but the agency says it was acting within guidelines.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 7:31pm

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A federal judge heard arguments in a class action lawsuit against the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) over the confiscation of thousands of dollars in cash from travelers at the Pittsburgh International Airport. Rebecca Brown, one of the plaintiffs, claims the TSA seized $82,000 from her that was her father's life savings as she was traveling from Pittsburgh to Boston in 2019. The TSA says its agents were working within their guidelines, but the plaintiffs argue there are no clear guidelines on what constitutes a "suspicious" amount of cash.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about the TSA's broad authority to seize cash from travelers, even when there is no evidence of criminal activity. The lawsuit argues the TSA's practices are unconstitutional and that the agency lacks clear guidelines on what triggers a cash seizure, potentially leading to abuse of power.

The details

Rebecca Brown is part of a class action lawsuit against the federal government over the TSA's seizure of cash from travelers at the Pittsburgh International Airport. In 2019, the TSA confiscated $82,000 from Brown that was her father's life savings as she was traveling from Pittsburgh to Boston. The TSA claims its agents were acting within their guidelines, but the plaintiffs argue there are no clear rules on what constitutes a "suspicious" amount of cash. Attorneys for the plaintiffs say the TSA has seized cash from travelers over as little as $100 in one-dollar bills.

  • In the summer of 2019, the TSA seized $82,000 from Rebecca Brown at the Pittsburgh International Airport.
  • It took more than six months for Brown to get her father's money back after the feds determined it was legally obtained.
  • On February 6, 2026, a federal judge heard arguments in the class action lawsuit against the government over the TSA's cash seizures.

The players

Rebecca Brown

One of the plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit against the federal government over the TSA's seizure of cash from travelers at the Pittsburgh International Airport. The TSA confiscated $82,000 from Brown that was her father's life savings as she was traveling from Pittsburgh to Boston in 2019.

Dan Alban

An attorney with the Institute for Justice, which represents the plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit against the government over the TSA's cash seizures.

Kezia O.L. Taylor

A federal Magistrate Judge who heard the arguments in the class action lawsuit and said she will submit a report and recommendations to U.S. District Justice Marilyn Horan, who will then issue a final order and opinion on whether either party's summary judgment will be granted.

Marilyn Horan

A U.S. District Judge who will issue a final order and opinion on whether either party's summary judgment will be granted in the class action lawsuit against the government over the TSA's cash seizures.

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What they’re saying

“We think there is no dispute of material facts that the TSA unlawfully and unconstitutionally stops and seizes travelers with cash at the airport, even though it admits it poses no threat to transportation security.”

— Dan Alban, Attorney, Institute for Justice (cbsnews.com)

“I do think that this was unconstitutional, what the TSA did to me.”

— Rebecca Brown (cbsnews.com)

“In some of the TSA depositions, they said as little as $100 in 100 one-dollar bills would still count as a large amount of currency.”

— Dan Alban, Attorney, Institute for Justice (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Magistrate Judge Kezia O.L. Taylor told the parties she will take the testimony under advisement, submit a report and recommendations to U.S. District Justice Marilyn Horan, who will then issue a final order and opinion on whether either party's summary judgment will be granted.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the TSA's broad authority to seize cash from travelers, even when there is no evidence of criminal activity. The lawsuit argues the TSA's practices are unconstitutional and lack clear guidelines, potentially leading to abuse of power and the unjust confiscation of law-abiding citizens' money.