From Hudson Sangree:
Authorities are investigating an incident Sunday in which someone set fire to a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice that was attached to a Carmichael Islamic center that federal prosecutors have moved to seize.
Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District spokesman Christian Pebbles said the fire may have been set by someone who was walking down the street. Or the incident may be "more significant," given the surrounding circumstances, he said.
Investigators are continuing their work but have little evidence so far, he said.
Pebbles said he didn't know what was in the burnt letter but knew it was from the Justice Department.
The Qoba Foundation Islamic Center, on Marconi Avenue, is one of eight properties nationwide, including several other mosques, that the government is moving to seize.
Federal prosecutors allege that the New York-based Alavi Foundation, which owns the center and the other properties, is a front for the Iranian government and for years has funneled money to Iran from its financial holdings in the United States.
Members of Qoba told The Bee this week they know little about the Alavi Foundation, and the house of worship is merely a tenant.
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