Agents catch Love 22
(associated press)

Love 22 is charged in U.S. District Court with circulating a handbill or advertisement in the likeness of a federal reserve note. He went on trial here Thursday- the day before May 22, as he would put it.  He's charged with violating federal law by selling $22 dollar bills the government says look too real to be funny.

He was arrested by Treasury agents after this year's Mardi Gras celebration in February for doing what he said he normally does for a living- selling crisp $22 bills at five for a dollar all the while extolling the powers of the number 22.

The trial is before Magistrate Ingard Johannesen, whose office phone number happens to begin with the three numbers 589, which happen to add up to 22.   Love 22 will be represented by public defender Jack Mulvehell, whose office phone number also begins with 589.

There is , of course, no such thing as a U.S. $22 bill and he often wonders aloud how the government can accuse him of counterfeiting a note that doesn't exist.  Prosecutors and Love 22's federal public defender has refused to comment on what prompted the federal agents to arrest him.

Innocent plea
entered by
Love 22

Love 22's funny money
gets no laugh from feds.

At odds with Uncle Sam.

                                                 A.P.

Love 22 gives a thumbs up sign of optimism as he leaves the (UNITED STATES COURT HOUSE) in New Orleans. The Feds claim the $22 Bills look too real to be funny.

"LOVE 22 (ARRESTED IN NEW ORLEANS, LA!)
Love 22 went to Mardi Gras to celebrate
and sell his $22 bills. Instead he got arrested and ...