If only the Department of Justice (DOJ) can collect another $1.3 trillion or so, we might have a real shot at doing something about those pesky federal budget problems. But alas, no one can accuse the DOJ and its U.S. Attorneys’ offices of not working hard this past year to crack down on crime.
Reports surfaced today that the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ offices nationwide have collected $6.5 billion from civil and criminal actions during the 2011 fiscal year. The sum marks the second consecutive year that they have collected more than $6 billion. And the icing on the cake: The $6.5 billion raked in this year is more than three times the appropriated budget of the 94 offices combined this year.
Broken down by category, U.S. Attorneys’ offices collected $2.66 billion in restitution, criminal fines and felony assessments; $3.83 billion in individually and jointly handled civil actions; and $1.68 billion in asset forfeiture actions. The $6.5 total, however, doesn’t include collections from other DOJ divisions.
The money collected in 2010 and 2011 combined is $13.18 billion, which is a significant increase from the $8.5 billion total collected in 2008 and 2009.
For more, read Financial Fraud Law.
