U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Louisiana Collects Over $1 Billion In Civil and Criminal Actions And Seizes 341 Firearms in Fiscal Year 2022

Louisiana - U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, that the Eastern District of Louisiana collected slightly more than $1 billion in criminal and civil actions in fiscal year 2022. This amount was divided as follows: $7.78 million was collected in criminal actions and $992.4 million was collected in civil actions.

U.S. Attorneys' Offices, along with the department's litigating divisions, are in charge of enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the United States, as well as criminal debts owed to victims of federal crimes. Defendants are required by law to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered physical harm or financial loss. Criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department's Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and assistance programs.

Additionally, in FY 2022, the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana collected over $10 million in asset forfeiture actions and seized 341 firearms in collaboration with partner agencies and components. Forfeited funds are used to compensate crime victims and for other law enforcement purposes. Seizing firearms not only deprives criminals of the weapons they use to commit crimes, but it also aids in the dismantling of criminal organizations. The weapons are destroyed once the case in which they were seized has been resolved, the weapons have been judicially forfeited, or they are no longer required as evidence.

The following are highlights of the Eastern District of Louisiana's 2022 collection and forfeiture efforts:

• The collection of over $850 million in civil penalties, damages, and costs from BP Exploration & Production Inc. imposed as a result of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill;
• Following a guilty plea to one count of wire fraud, Ritchel Morehead’s payment of $310,205.91 to satisfy the outstanding balance of the restitution obligation she owed to the victims of her fraudulent investment scheme.
• The forfeiture of $1,473,393.50 in ill-gotten gains stemming from the prosecution of Erik Martin and Darrel Fitzpatrick for what the sentencing judge called a “massive bribery and fraud scheme” involving kickbacks and payoffs targeting the United States Marine Corps.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives seized 36 firearms from Michael Malone, a convicted felon and prohibited firearms possessor, as part of an investigation.

“These statistics demonstrate our commitment and dedication to victims of crimes and to the citizens of the Eastern District of Louisiana through the successful forfeiture and collection of funds in civil and criminal cases,” said U.S. Attorney Evans. “Our office’s Monetary Penalties and Recovery Unit helps to protect the public by holding accountable those who have profited from the crimes they committed both in our District and beyond. Equally important, the seizure of dangerous firearms from prohibited individuals helps reduce violent crime in our community.”

U.S. Attorney Evans expresses gratitude to Asset Forfeiture Assistant United States Attorney Alexandra Giavotella, Financial Litigation Assistant United States Attorney Churita Hansell, and the Office's outstanding support professionals Jerrilyn A. Dufauchard, David Vigier, Ilan Adona, Danielle Smith-Graham, Christina Garcia, and Monica Washington.