The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana announced that it collected $4,551,419.18 in criminal and civil actions during Fiscal Year 2024. The office reported collecting $3,165,015.74 from criminal actions and $1,386,403.44 from civil actions.
The district collaborated with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department of Justice to gather an additional $6,803,045.08 in joint cases. This amount included $251,225 from criminal actions and $6,551,820.08 from civil actions.
“These collections come from both criminals who are ordered to pay restitution to victims and fines and from those who owe debts or civil penalties to the American taxpayer," stated U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich. He added that the team of prosecutors, investigators, and staff showed great success in collecting over $4.5 million on behalf of crime victims and the American people.
Among notable criminal judgments paid were:
- John Kevin Moore paid $721,739.82 after being convicted of wire fraud, money laundering, and false statements.
- Joseph Glen Dickey paid a total of $345,932.98 covering his restitution and fine after tax crimes conviction.
- Larry Price Jr., a former official at Signal Peak Energy LLC., contributed $250,000 following his fraud conviction.
- U.S. Minerals Inc., fined for negligent endangerment due to arsenic exposure at its Anaconda plant site.
In civil cases:
- Dr. David Bellamah paid $180,000 as part of a settlement over alleged False Claims Act violations.
- Kalispell Regional Healthcare made a final payment of $1,156,929.30 as part of their 2018 settlement regarding similar claims.
- Atlantic Richfield fulfilled its multimillion-dollar settlement obligations with a payment of $5,394,890.78 for cleaning up the Anaconda Smelter Superfund Site.
U.S Attorneys’ Offices enforce collection efforts on civil and criminal debts owed to the government and federal crime victims under law mandates which require restitution payments for physical injury or financial loss resulting from certain federal crimes.
Additionally in FY 2024, asset forfeiture actions resulted in collections totaling $881,629 by the District of Montana's U.S Attorney’s Office alongside partner agencies; these funds contribute toward victim compensation programs through the Department’s Assets Forfeiture Fund.