Amy K. Nelson, Falsely Accused by Amazon & the DOJ

Imagine waking up one morning to find everything you thought you knew about your life turned upside down. For Amy K. Nelson, founder of The Riveter, a successful entrepreneur, and mother of four, this wasn’t just a bad dream — it was her reality.

Accused by Amazon and investigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Amy and her family were thrust into a nightmare involving raids, frozen bank accounts, civil forfeiture, and endless battles for justice.

In Amy K. Nelson’s episode of Nightmare Success In and Out hosted by Brent Cassity, Amy shared her extraordinary journey of resilience, advocacy, and fighting back against seemingly insurmountable odds. Her story is a powerful testament to the human spirit and a wake-up call about the flaws in our justice system.

Amy’s nightmare started when her husband, Carl, was accused of private-sector honest services fraud — an obscure and rarely-used legal statute. Despite working within the bounds of his employment contract at Amazon, Carl became a target in a larger investigation involving Amazon’s real estate dealings. It began with a suspicious email to Jeff Bezos and spiraled into a high-stakes battle involving federal prosecutors, civil lawsuits, and allegations that shook their family to the core.

The turning point came on April 2, 2020, when FBI agents raided their Seattle home at 6:45 a.m. With four young daughters and a thriving business of her own, Amy had no idea what was happening behind the scenes. The experience of having their home invaded, possessions seized, and lives uprooted was a traumatic event that Amy still carries with her today.

The Fight for Justice

Rather than retreat in silence, Amy chose to fight back. She became an outspoken advocate, leveraging social media platforms like TikTok to tell her family’s story. Her transparency resonated with thousands, building a community of over 250,000 followers who supported her cause and amplified her voice.

Amy also took legal action, suing Amazon for breach of contract in a bold move to shift the narrative. This unconventional strategy paid off when a judge ruled in her husband’s favor in 2021, acknowledging that Carl had acted within the terms of his employment contract.

Civil Forfeiture and the Broken System

One of the most harrowing aspects of Amy’s story was the use of civil forfeiture — a controversial practice that allowed the government to freeze their assets without due process. With their bank accounts emptied, Amy and her husband were left scrambling to provide for their children while fighting for their innocence.

Amy described how prosecutors weaponized civil forfeiture, refusing to release funds unless Carl pleaded guilty. “It’s criminal to use these tactics,” Amy said, highlighting how civil forfeiture disproportionately impacts people without the resources to fight back.

Advocacy and Resilience

Despite facing threats, public scrutiny, and unimaginable stress, Amy’s resilience never wavered. Her story underscores the importance of refusing to be silenced, even when the odds seem insurmountable. “No matter how stacked the odds are against you, don’t count yourself out,” she advised.

Amy has become a powerful voice for justice reform, advocating for civil forfeiture reform and greater accountability within the DOJ and FBI. Her determination to shed light on these systemic issues has already sparked meaningful conversations and inspired others to join the fight.

Amy’s story is more than a cautionary tale — it’s a call to action. From the importance of demanding legal representation when confronted by law enforcement to the power of using social media to tell your story, her journey offers invaluable lessons for anyone navigating the criminal justice system.

As Amy continues to fight for reform, her story serves as a reminder that change is possible when we refuse to back down. Whether through her TikTok advocacy or her efforts to push for civil forfeiture reform, Amy Nelson is a beacon of hope in the face of adversity.

If you want to learn more about Amy’s journey, check her out on Instagram.

To listen to Amy’s episode, listen on Spotify or watch on YouTube below: