Charity law states that the charity board is supposed to account for or be compensated for his use of the ranch, but it hasn't done so. The board also typically would be required to value Mr. Imus's services to the ranch to offset any charges from his use, but also hasn't done so. The Imus Ranch board consists of Mr. Imus, his wife and his two accountants.

In the Journal article, Mr. Imus said he and his wife work at the ranch as unpaid volunteers and manage the ranch themselves. He said yesterday on his radio show that for the ranch to charge him and his family for his time there is "absurd." He acknowledged in the article that the costs of the ranch are high, but that he would pay "$2.6 million or $1.8 million per child if I thought it could change their lives."

Imus, like most people who have had the awesome power of the Government swoop down on them and a lifetime of work impugned by unproven allegations, is justifiably angry. Having now experienced this power personally, I hope he will use his huge media clout to expose government excess in investigatory power when it comes to his attention.