randy sowers maintains the family had no idea. they settled, but the irs kept nearly half their cash, almost $30,000. convenient store owner ken kuran was less lucky and unknowingly agreed to forfeit his entire bank account to agents who came to his store in 2014, accusing the palestinian immigrant of skirting laws. he drew a red flag for a different reason, withdrawals of less than $10,000. the irs took more than $150,000 from him and he denies the charges. >> he said you need to sign a paper. i said, listen, i can't, you know, my english is, you know, it's not right. you need to sign it or we go to your wife and have her sign it. >> reporter: both businesses are fighting to get their cash back. they've turned to the non-profit institute for justice, which has petitioned the government to return the seized assets. this week it sent letters to the department of justice on behalf of the sowers and the irs on behalf of kuran, seeking answers. the irs and doj declined to comment on specific cases. >> the government's able to take pro