Suit accuses TSA of unreasonable search, detention in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- A lawsuit accuses the Transportation Security Administration of unreasonably searching and detaining a St. Louis airport passenger simply because he was carrying a large amount of cash.

The suit was filed Thursday on behalf of Steven Bierfeldt of the Campaign for Liberty, an organization spawned by Ron Paul's 2008 presidential campaign.

In March, the organization hosted an event in St. Louis that included the sale of tickets, T-shirts and other materials. Bierfeldt was carrying about $4,700 in cash in a metal box as he prepared to board a plane at Lambert Airport.

TSA officials detained Bierfeldt for about 30 minutes to question him about the money.

Bierfeldt says the goal of the lawsuit is to stop the TSA from illegal searches and detentions.

A TSA spokesman said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.