Acting U.S. Attorney Sue Fahami announced that the District of Nevada collected $6,485,417.91 in criminal and civil actions during Fiscal Year 2024. Of this total, $3,556,959.50 was collected from criminal actions and $2,928,458.41 from civil actions.
The District of Nevada also collaborated with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $228,340.11 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. This amount included $97,396.11 from criminal actions and $130,944.00 from civil actions.
In June 2024, the district recovered $2.1 million as part of a settlement with El Aero Services, LLC related to the Sheep Creek Fire in 2018. The fire started on August 18, 2018, after a helicopter crash in the Sheep Creek Range near Battle Mountain, Nevada. An investigation by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) found El Aero Services responsible for the fire that required significant suppression efforts.
“Thanks to the diligent efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys and professional staff in the District of Nevada’s Financial Litigation Unit and the Asset Recovery Unit," said Acting U.S. Attorney Fahami. "We have ensured the court-ordered restitutions and fines are fully recovered for victims of crime and taxpayers."
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices enforce and collect civil and criminal debts owed to the United States as well as criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. Defendants are required by law to pay restitution to victims who have suffered physical injury or financial loss due to certain federal crimes.
Additionally, during FY 2024, the District of Nevada collected $5,438,595 through asset forfeiture actions working with partner agencies and divisions. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used for restoring funds to crime victims and various law enforcement purposes.