Asset Forfeiture And Money Laundering

Arvind Lal, Chief

The Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section oversees all criminal and civil forfeiture matters for the Criminal Division. Federal law provides authority to seize and forfeit the proceeds of virtually all serious federal offenses, including terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime, child exploitation, human trafficking, fraud, and money laundering.

The mission of the section is to enforce compliance with the laws of the United States by using criminal and civil forfeiture, and money laundering charges, to disrupt and deter criminal activity, to dismantle criminal enterprises, and to deprive criminals and criminal organizations of illegal proceeds and instrumentalities of crime. We strive to recover property that may be used to compensate victims. Forfeited funds are used to provide full or partial restitution to victims of crimes, and as permitted by law, to support federal, state, and local law enforcement activities.

Prosecutors assigned to the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section assist all of the prosecutors in the Criminal Division with any forfeiture and money laundering issues in their cases. Section prosecutors assist with financial investigations, draft forfeiture language for indictments, informations, and plea agreements, and assist with forfeiture issues at trial and in sentencings. The section also files civil forfeiture actions, where appropriate, and handles all civil forfeiture litigation. The section is responsible for tracking forfeitures and ensuring final disposition of seized assets. Section prosecutors also handle money laundering investigations and prosecutions.