The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Dakota has reported collections amounting to $3,496,288.47 in criminal and civil actions during Fiscal Year 2024. This figure includes $1,584,408.91 from criminal actions and $1,911,879.56 from civil actions. Additional efforts with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Department of Justice components resulted in an extra $775,964.79 collected.
U.S. Attorney Alison Ramsdell emphasized the importance of these collections: “Ensuring the collection of federal debt restores justice to victims of crime and reinforces the integrity of our governmental institutions.”
Significant recoveries obtained at the end of Calendar Year 2024 are not included in these totals, such as a $12.7 million settlement related to alleged False Claims Act violations involving Dunes Surgical Hospital and two physician groups, along with a $1.4 million restitution payment from a pandemic fraud prosecution.
The Financial Litigation Unit filed 14 new garnishment actions and closed 44 civil and criminal restitution cases where debts were fully paid. Notable recoveries include $52,561.75 from a borrower who violated his loan agreement with the Farm Service Agency by selling calves improperly, and $36,773.79 recovered from an inheritance received by a wire fraud convict while in custody.
United States Attorney’s Offices work alongside the Department of Justice's litigating divisions to enforce and collect both civil and criminal debts owed to the United States and debts owed to federal crime victims. Defendants are legally required to pay restitution for certain federal crimes causing physical injury or financial loss to victims. While restitution payments go directly to victims, funds collected through criminal fines contribute to the Crime Victims Fund managed by the Department of Justice.