ACLU drops suit accusing TSA of wrongly detaining man at St. Louis airport over $4,700 in cash

Suit accusing TSA of wrongful detention dropped

ST. LOUIS — The American Civil Liberties Union has dropped a lawsuit against the Transportation Security Administration that claimed a man was wrongly detained the St. Louis airport because he was carrying about $4,700 in cash.

The ACLU dropped its suit Tuesday, saying the TSA has now made it clear agents can conduct searches related to flight safety, not engage in general law enforcement.

The ACLU had filed the suit on behalf of Steven Bierfeldt, director of development for the Campaign for Liberty, an organization that grew out of Ron Paul’s 2008 presidential campaign. Part of Bierfeldt’s job involved carrying funds related to the group’s activities.

TSA spokesman Greg Soule said the agency was pleased with the lawsuit’s outcome.