The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois has announced the collection of over $100 million in criminal, civil, and asset forfeiture actions during Fiscal Year 2024. Acting United States Attorney Morris Pasqual shared these figures in a recent statement.
The office's collections for the year comprised approximately $23.9 million from criminal actions, $6.4 million from civil actions, and $70.4 million through asset forfeiture actions. Additionally, collaboration with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and Department of Justice components resulted in an extra $62.2 million collected in joint cases.
“Our attorneys and staff place a high priority on recovering funds for the federal treasury and victims of federal crimes,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Pasqual. “Our office will continue to responsibly safeguard taxpayer resources while delivering a valuable return to the citizens of our district.”
U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Justice Department’s litigating divisions, are tasked with enforcing and collecting both civil and criminal debts owed to the United States as well as criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. Federal law mandates that defendants provide restitution to victims who have suffered physical injury or financial loss due to certain federal crimes. While restitution is directed towards victims, any criminal fines and felony assessments contribute to the Department of Justice’s Crime Victims Fund, which subsequently allocates money to various victim compensation and assistance programs at both federal and state levels.
