Asset Recovery Unit

The Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) works with criminal prosecutors and federal agencies on issues involving the investigation of assets. This includes the identification, seizure and forfeiture of the proceeds of a defendant’s criminal activity as well as the enforcement of debts owed to crime victims or to the United States. The ARU carries out this mission in two main ways: forfeiture and debt collection.

ARU has overall responsibility for forfeiture in the office, and AUSAs in the section ensure that forfeiture is sought in both criminal cases and civil forfeiture litigation. AUSAs in the section also seek to use funds obtained from the sale of a defendant’s forfeited property to compensate victims of the defendant’s crimes. For example, if a defendant uses the proceeds of wire fraud to purchase vehicles and real estate, the ARU will work with federal agents to obtain seizure warrants, then work with the criminal prosecutor to forfeit and sell the seized property with the ultimate goal of compensating the fraud victims.

ARU is also responsible for the collection of debts owed to the United States and victims of crime, including through the initiation of civil lawsuits. Specifically, ARU enforces debts that criminal defendants owe, including restitution and fines as well as civil debts arising from delinquent small business loans, civil fraud cases and many other civil matters. ARU seeks to maximize recovery through fair but tenacious collection efforts.

ARU is dedicated to depriving criminals of ill-gotten gains and ensuring that defendants pay their debts. Therefore, the work of ARU encompasses and touches nearly every type of case brought in the office, including civil enforcement actions, fraud, drug trafficking, money laundering, human smuggling, sex trafficking, child exploitation and firearms trafficking.