U.S. Attorney David Capp has announced that the Northern District of Indiana collected $6,458,843 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 related to criminal and civil actions.

Of this amount, $3,098,595 was collected in criminal actions and $3,360,247 in civil actions, according to a statement released on Friday. In addition, the office collected $2,093,285 in criminal and civil forfeitures.

Nationwide, the U.S. Attorneys’ offices collected $13.1 billion in criminal and civil actions during FY 2012, more than doubling the $6.5 billion collected in FY 2011. A portion of this amount, $5.3 billion, was collected in shared cases in which one or more U.S. Attorneys’ offices or department litigating divisions were also involved.

The $13.1 billion represents more than six times the appropriated budget of the combined 94 offices for FY 2012.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to protecting the public and recovering funds for the federal treasury and for victims of federal crime,” Capp said. “We will continue to hold accountable those who seek to profit from their illegal activities.”

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. Statistics indicate that the total amount collected in criminal actions totaled $3.035 billion in restitution, criminal fines, and felony assessments.

The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid directly to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

For further information, the United States Attorneys’ Annual Statistical Reports can be found at www.justice.gov/usao/reading_room/foiamanuals.html

Posted 12/10/2012