The Southern District of Indiana sheds light on the Asset Recovery Unit to celebrate the hard work and dedication displayed throughout the department
INDIANAPOLIS - There are a multitude of duties performed by the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Southern District of Indiana (SDIN) that gain consistent recognition. The Asset Recovery Unit continually works to collect federal debts and forfeit assets related to criminal activity. Each USAO employee in the Asset Recovery Unit works toward one primary objective: to use their best efforts to divest criminals of their property and return the proceeds to victims of crime.
"I am proud of the members of the Asset Recovery Unit for performing great work and for their continued efforts, which have resulted in the large collection of funds and other assets generated from criminal activity," said United States Attorney, Josh Minkler. "The Asset Recovery Unit does important work in making victims of crime whole again."
The Asset Recovery Unit is comprised of two units: the Financial Litigation Unit (FLU) and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU). The two units joined forces in 2012 to form the Asset Recovery Unit. Both of these sectors are significant to tax payers because they collect debts owed to the United States government and victims of crime.
The FLU is responsible for collecting civil and criminal debts that are owed to the United States and victims of crime in a timely, aggressive, and effective manner. Cases opened in the FLU remain open years past their initial debt, but that does not stop new cases from being opened. So far in Fiscal Year 2019 (beginning on Oct. 1, 2018 and ending on Sept. 30, 2019) there have been 381 cases opened. Through the Fiscal Year to date the FLU has collected $5,490,559.
The AFU generally handles the forfeiture of all assets related to criminal activity and/or belonging to a criminal defendant. Cases can be either civil or criminal asset forfeiture litigation. So far into the Fiscal Year the AFU’s efforts have resulted in recoveries of $2,444,262.
"With dedication and resolve, those working in the ARU do everything in their power to make sure that offenders do not profit from their crimes and that victims receive the support and assistance they are entitled to," said First Assistant United States Attorney and former Asset Recovery Unit Manager, John Childress.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
