The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington has reported collections exceeding $17 million in criminal and civil actions for Fiscal Year 2024. The office, led by U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref, announced that a total of $17,718,306.41 was collected, with $16,087,963.29 from criminal actions and $1,630,343.12 from civil actions.
In collaboration with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice, an additional $937,600 was collected in civil cases pursued jointly.
“Thanks to the excellent work by our office’s Financial Litigation Unit and Affirmative Civil Enforcement team more than $17 million was recovered in 2024,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref. “Recovering criminal restitution owed to crime victims and civil debts owed to the United States is a vital part of our mission. The $16 million in criminal restitution collections will assist victims in their recovery process and hold criminals accountable for their crimes.”
Significant cases contributing to these collections include:
- Over $11.7 million from United States v. Easterday involving fraudulent invoicing in the "Ghost Cattle" case.
- More than $2.1 million from United States v. Mize et al concerning an insurance fraud scheme.
- $478,935 from United States v. Anwar related to falsifying human clinical research trials.
- $341,480 from United States v. Jason Jordan involving counterfeit airbags sales on eBay.
- $887,600 from United States v. Multistar Inc., linked to illegal chemical storage penalties.
- $700,000 from physician Edward William Salko and Jackson & Coker LocumTenens regarding a Medicare billing kick-back scheme.
- $329,196 from United States v. All Star Property Management LLC concerning fraudulent rent assistance claims during COVID-19.
- $224,620 from Justin Leland associated with a Medicare billing kick-back scheme.
The U.S Attorneys’ Offices are tasked with enforcing and collecting debts owed to the U.S., including those resulting from federal crimes affecting victims financially or physically injured.