CHECK PRINTING BARRED : JUDGE RULES ON CASE LINKED TO FREEMEN.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

After failing to attend a second court hearing, a Palmdale woman linked to the Montana Freeman group was barred from printing and distributing checks, which federal officials say are worthless.

Neither Elizabeth Broderick nor two associates named in the temporary restraining order appeared Thursday before U.S. District Court Judge William Keller, who on Monday had postponed action on the order because the trio was not present.

``There is no legal authority for what they are doing,'' said Keller. ``The conduct is totally inappropriate.''

As part of the restraining order, Broderick was forbidden to print, distribute, advertise, refer to or promote checks she calls ``comptroller's warrants'' or ``cashier's checks,'' which she says are backed by money she claims the government owes her.

The judge also said the case against Broderick and the others - currently a civil matter only - may turn into a criminal investigation into bank fraud and mail fraud.

Federal officials said Broderick is still allowed to conduct seminars, including a sold-out session planned for Sunday and Monday, at which people are told how to place liens on people or their property and how to use her checks. But she will no longer be allowed take orders or requests for her checks.

``If they do it, they will be in violation of the law,'' said Keller. ``If they violate the law, they will be hailed into court. I'm not going to go away.

``They will be held to answer,'' said Keller. ``Absence is not the appropriate answer.''

In a response filed with the U.S. Attorney's office Thursday, the trio - Broderick, Adolf Hoch of Loma Linda, and Laura Marie Hoey of Moreno Valley - claim their rights were violated and the warrant under which FBI agents last week searched Broderick's home, office and rooms at the Essex House hotel in Lancaster was never signed.

``Defendant is accusing plaintiff of a fourth amendment violation by trespassing on the sovereign property under display of the American free flag of peace of the U.S.A. without a bonafied (sic) signed warrant by a judge of oath or affirmation,'' said a motion to dismiss the restraining order request.

The temporary restraining order remains in effect for ten days. At an April 16 hearing, the U.S. Attorney General's office will seek a preliminary injunction that will continue the ban through the course of a trial for a permanent restraining order.

In a motion granted April 2, Broderick was barred from placing liens against postal workers or other federal employees without court permission.

Authorities say Broderick had placed liens on various business and government agencies including Orange County, Antelope Municipal Court, television station KCAL, Disney, the FBI and the U.S. Postal Service.

The judge described the liens as inconsistent with the law and without legal merit. A second hearing on that is scheduled for April 9.

Before imposing the restraining order, Keller said he had given the three a second chance to appear in court.

``I take the court order very seriously,'' said Keller. ``I have given the defendants the benefit of the doubt. But under the law that is presented to me, you can not do what you want to do.''

``I say this in an educational way,'' the judge added. ``But this is not going to be tolerated. In the future if they chose to present themselves, they are going to have to comply to local rules, federal rules.''