Civil Division

The Civil Division represents the United States and its departments, agencies, and employees at both the trial and appellate levels in civil actions filed in Maine. The Civil Division handles defensive litigation, Affirmative Civil Enforcement, and financial litigation.

Defensive Litigation:  

This office represents the government in suits filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act. In addition, our office defends federal agencies against allegations of discrimination in federal employment. Other cases include challenges to agency actions and government procurement under the Administrative procedures Act, appeals under the Social Security Act, suits seeking the release of records under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts and the defense of government officials sued in their individual capacity.

Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE):  

We also file civil actions to recover damages for fraud and other offenses against the United States and its agencies; impose civil penalties for violations of the nation’s health, safety and economic welfare laws; and to enjoin ongoing mail, wire or bank frauds and to freeze ill-gotten gains derived from those frauds under the Fraud Injunction Statute. The majority of ACE cases are brought to enforce the federal False Claims Act, with a significant portion of this work devoted to pursuing health care fraud recoveries. ACE cases also include filing suits for fraud in government procurement and to enforce environmental and civil rights laws. If you believe that your civil rights have been violated, please complete and send a Civil Rights Complaint Form.

Financial Litigation:  

The Financial Litigation Unit (FLU) litigates debt collection issues and collects criminal and civil debts owed to the government because of breach of contract, defaulted loans, and failure to pay administrative and criminal fines and penalties. Recoveries are sought from corporate or individual debtors who have obtained loans through federal programs such as student and Small Business Administration loan programs.

Environmental Justice:  

The U.S. Department of Justice enforces the Nation’s civil and criminal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and hazardous waste laws. We also protect natural resources and handle cases relating to tribal rights and resources. The U.S. Attorney’s Office seeks to secure environmental justice for all communities, to ensure that everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to a healthy environment in which to live, learn, play, and work. If you wish to report an environmental justice concern, please email our office or reach out directly to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. 

For more information: https://www.justice.gov/usao-me/environmental-justice