U.S. Attorney’s Office Touts Civil, Criminal Collections

Acting U.S. Attorney John Childress’ office says the Southern District of Indiana collected more than $9 million in criminal and civil actions in the last fiscal year. The figure is part of nearly $16 billion collected by the U.S. Department of Justice throughout the country.

The DOJ says the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are responsible for collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. In the Southern District of Indiana, Childress’ office says more than $2 million collected in the fiscal year, which ended September 30, was for criminal actions and the remainder was for civil actions.

“The Southern District of Indiana’s Civil Division and Asset Recovery Unit have some of the best federal prosecutors and support staff in the country,” Childress said in a news release. “They work tirelessly every day to protect Hoosiers and their resources. Returning over $9 million to the victims of these criminal and civil cases is very satisfying. This office is committed to enforcing federal laws and holding those accountable who choose to do harm to our citizens.”

Additionally, the district collected nearly $8 million in asset forfeiture actions, which are deposited into the DOJ’s Forfeiture Fund and used to “restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.”

The DOJ says the amount of collections nationwide was more than five times the appropriated budget for its main litigating divisions and all 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices.