The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia reported collections and forfeitures exceeding $72 million for Fiscal Year 2024, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr.
“Obtaining financial justice for victims of crime and United States taxpayers is a high priority for this District,” stated Moultrie. “These results for Fiscal Year 2024 reflect our commitment to leverage both criminal and civil enforcements to recuperate money for crime victims and the public through all available legal resources.”
The office collected over $36 million via the district’s Financial Litigation Program, focusing on civil and criminal debts, fines, and penalties owed to crime victims and the United States. This included more than $14 million in restitution, fines, or assessments from defendants in criminal cases. Federal law mandates restitution payments by those who commit specific crimes to their victims. Criminal fines contribute to the Department of Justice’s Crime Victims Fund, which supports victim compensation and assistance programs at federal and state levels.
Additionally, more than $21 million was recovered through affirmative civil enforcement cases aimed at reclaiming government funds lost due to fraud or misconduct or collecting fines related to violations of federal laws concerning health care, safety, environmental regulations, and controlled substances.
Furthermore, the district contributed over $36 million to various forfeiture funds through its Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section's efforts in civil and criminal forfeiture actions. Of this total amount, civil forfeiture cases accounted for over $21 million while criminal cases contributed more than $14 million. The Department of Justice utilizes these forfeited assets to compensate crime victims and support law enforcement activities across different levels of government.
In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, more than $1 million was returned directly to crime victims with an additional $3 million shared among local law enforcement partners.
For further information regarding these efforts or other inquiries, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. More details can be found on their website: http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.