The Tribune reported on May 16, 2001 that Attorney Leandra Esfakis, a member of the Bar Association's Commercial Law Committee, "strongly rejected the newly-formed Compliance Commission's authority to conduct annual examinations of all institutions under its authority, arguing that such powers were unconstitutional and discriminatory." 

On another occasion she stated that under the Acts, --

1. "We are obliged to report to a Financial Intelligence Unit those individuals of whom we may have suspicions; and 
2. "We are subject to searches by the Inspector of Companies and the Compliance Commission -- 

� At will or annually, without warrant, without need to show cause, without any obligation of confidentiality, without the use of discretion, but
� With the obligation to pay for such search AND substantial fines or jail terms if the paper work required is not on file. 

"In effect, the new legislation intends to deprive us of a constitutional right to the privacy of our premises and to allow for the confiscation of property in satisfaction of its demands …On a practical level, you have a disruption of business that I'm supposed to pay for." 

Section 21 of the Constitution states that "Except with his consent, no person shall be subjected to the search of his person or his property or the entry by others on his premises." While it provides for exceptions she contends that The Financial Transactions Reporting Act does not fall under them.

Her letter of May 10th to the Compliance Commission concludes -

"Accordingly, I put you on notice, that should any officer, agent or employee of the Compliance Commission enter or attempt to enter my premises for the purpose of conducting such evaluation, I will bring an action against the Commission to seek the protection that the Constitution affords against the abuse of power.

"I submit under protest, the published registration form."