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Asset Recovery Unit (ARU)

Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) enforces collection of criminal and civil debts owed to the United States or to victims of federal crime.

Civil Collections

The ARU enforces collection of civil debts on behalf of federal agencies in litigation that most often involves federal loan programs, civil penalties assessed by federal agencies, and civil fraud actions prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO).

Criminal Collections

In almost every criminal case prosecuted by the USAO, a special assessment is imposed upon each individual or corporate defendant at the time of sentencing. In addition, defendants are often ordered to pay a criminal fine and/or restitution to victims. All criminal fines collected are distributed to the National Crime Victims Fund, which disburses grants to various victims' groups across the country, including victims' organizations in Massachusetts. Restitution is distributed to victims identified through the prosecution of the case.

Payment Instructions

Civil payments must be made payable to “U.S. Department of Justice” and mailed to:

U.S. Department of Justice
Nationwide Central Intake Facility
P.O. Box 790363
St. Louis, MO 63179-0363

You must write your name and U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) number or CDCS number on your check or money order and include your statement coupon with your payment.

Alternatively, all civil monetary obligations to the United States may be paid via https://www.pay.gov. Detailed instructions are included at the website.

Payments in the amount of $50,000 or more should be paid via electronic funds transfer (EFT) to the U.S. Treasury. The Asset Recovery Unit must be contacted at least three (3) business days prior to the funds transfer to ensure that the transfer is properly processed. Please call 617-748-3235 and ask to speak with a Paralegal Specialist in the Asset Recovery Unit to make payment arrangements.

Criminal payments, such as restitution, fines, and special assessments, must be made payable to “Clerk, U.S. District Court” and mailed to:

Clerk's Office
U.S. District Court
One Courthouse Way, Suite 2300
Boston, MA 02210

You must write your name and case number on your check or money order and include your statement coupon with your payment.

The Clerk's Office of the U.S. District Court maintains the official collection record of the case and issues copies of receipts to the debtor and the U.S. Attorney's Office. The Clerk's Office accepts payment via electronic funds transfer (EFT).  For further instruction, please contact the Clerk's Office directly at 617-748-9152.

REMINDER: if you do not receive a billing statement, it is still your responsibility to submit payment in a timely manner.

Electronic Funds Transfer Information

Contact us at 617-748-3235 and ask to speak with a Paralegal Specialist in the Asset Recovery Unit in order to verify that the debt meets the criteria for a Fedwire Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and to obtain the documentation required for such wire transfer. Environmental Protection Agency superfund payments of $10,000 or more and payments of $50,000 or more for all other agencies may be made by Fedwire EFT.

Please Note:

  1. The individual or company representative may present the Fedwire EFT form to any bank.
  2. The individual or company is responsible for any Fedwire EFT costs.
  3. The individual or company representative must notify the Asset Recovery Unit of the amount of the money transfer three (3) business days prior to the wire transfer.  This step is required because the Department of Justice Debt Accounting Operations Group must have advance notice of all wire transfers.

Common Questions and Answers

Is interest accruing on my debt?

Yes. All civil debts accrue interest, which is compounded annually.  The rate is based on the Treasury Bill rate on the day the civil judgment is entered by the court.

All criminal debts in the amount of $2,500 or more also accrue interest, beginning 15 days after the date of sentencing.

The rate of interest is determined by the Treasury Bill rate on the day of sentencing.

Interest accruing on criminal debts is not compounded; however, penalties of up to 25% of the debt may be added if the criminal debt is not paid within 90 days of its due date.

Can I pay my debt through installment payments?

The Asset Recovery Unit may consider entering into an installment payment agreement depending upon your financial situation.

A Financial Statement must be completed and signed by you, with supported documentation as required, for review and consideration.

Contact us at 617-748-3235 and ask to speak with a Paralegal Specialist in the Asset Recovery Unit if you wish to discuss this option.


Contacting the Asset Recovery Unit

Due to the Privacy Act requirements, all responses to requests for personal financial or payment information will be in writing and mailed directly to debtors only. If you are a debtor and wish to be provided with financial information concerning your case, interest or penalty calculation, or payment record, please include your current mailing address with your request.

If you are a debtor, but wish to request that your account information be provided to someone other than you, your request must be in writing, signed by you, and mailed to the ARU at:

United States Attorney's Office
Attention: Asset Recovery Unit
1 Courthouse Way, Suite 9200
Boston, MA, 02210

If you have any questions, call 617-748-3235 and ask to speak with a Paralegal Specialist in the Asset Recovery Unit.

Updated January 8, 2021