BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard D. Kaufman was recognized by Attorney General Loretta Lynch at the 31st annual Director’s Awards Ceremony in Washington D.C. for his exemplary service to the country and United States Department of Justice. Kaufman, Chief of the Asset Forfeiture and Financial Litigation (AFFLU) Unit, received the John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture.
AUSA Kaufman joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 1989 and is responsible for the management and supervision of employees of the AFFLU unit which collects civil and criminal debts owed to the Federal Government. The unit also ensures that the proceeds of criminal activity are forfeited when possible restitution is paid to victims of crime.
Under AUSA Kaufman’s leadership, the United States Attorney’s Office recovered a record $94,000,000 in the 2013 fiscal year. These funds went to victims of crime, law enforcement, and taxpayers. His efforts have also led to the forfeiture of real property which formerly had been used for narcotics trafficking and other criminal activities. One such property, 900 Genesee St., was turned over to Hananiah Ministries and now serves as a place of worship, a food pantry and job bank. Kaufman has been successful in obtaining funding for the demolition of drug houses which rids the streets of drug activity and improves the quality of life for residents in the community.
“Thanks to thorough reporting by our local media, the public already knows much about the fine work being done day in and day out by the women and men of the United States Attorney’s Office," said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “This exceptional work extends not only to the successful handling of hundreds of federal criminal and civil cases, but to extensive collection and forfeiture matters as well."
U.S. Attorney Hochul further stated “By successfully using forfeiture tools, AUSA Kaufman and the AFFLU unit have literally taken the profit out of crime. I am thrilled that Mr. Kaufman is being honored for his hard work and dedication, and in making our community a better place to live."
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
