U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida collected over $3.6 million in criminal and civil actions

Tallahassee, Florida – Jason R. Coody, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, has announced a substantial financial recovery amounting to $3,654,556.70 from local criminal and civil matters during the Fiscal Year 2023. This sum underscores the effective legal and enforcement actions undertaken by the district, highlighting the dedication and hard work of its civil and criminal divisions.

A Breakdown of the Recoveries

The total recovered includes $3,078,183.32 from criminal actions and $576,373.38 from civil actions. U.S. Attorney Coody attributed these “impressive numbers” to the rigorous efforts of his office’s divisions and the robust coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. He emphasized the office’s commitment to recuperating every dollar from those involved in illegal activities, aiming to restore these funds to the federal treasury and assist victims in recovering from crimes committed against them.

The responsibility of enforcing and collecting debts owed to the U.S., along with debts to victims of federal crimes, falls within the purview of the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the department’s litigating divisions. The law mandates defendants to compensate victims who have incurred physical injuries or financial losses due to certain federal crimes. While restitution directly benefits the victim, criminal fines and assessments contribute to the department’s Crime Victims Fund. This fund supports federal and state victim compensation and assistance programs, playing a critical role in the victim recovery process.

Civil Division’s Role and Asset Forfeiture Unit Contributions

In the past fiscal year, the Civil Division of the Northern District of Florida recovered $8,337,055 in affirmative civil enforcement cases. This total includes $576,373.38 collected from local civil cases and an impressive $7,760,682 recovered through collaborations with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department of Justice Civil Frauds Section.

The Northern District of Florida’s Civil Division made remarkable recoveries, totaling $8,337,055 in affirmative civil enforcement cases during the last fiscal year. This total includes $576,373.38 collected from local civil cases and $7,760,682 recovered through collaborations with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department of Justice Civil Frauds Section.

Moreover, the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the Northern District, in collaboration with law enforcement partners, succeeded in forfeiting assets worth $3,801,719 through criminal and civil asset forfeiture proceedings. The forfeited assets, once deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund, are allocated to replenish funds for crime victims and support various law enforcement initiatives.