Burlington, Vermont – U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest announced significant financial recoveries by the District of Vermont in Fiscal Year 2023. The office collected a total of $3,106,754.45 through various criminal and civil actions. Criminal actions contributed $2,072,930.23 to this sum, while civil actions accounted for $1,033,824.22.
Further financial accomplishments were noted in collaborations with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice. Joint efforts led to an additional collection of $76,859,362.34. This included $22,239.05 from criminal actions and a substantial $76,837,123.29 from civil actions.
U.S. Attorney Kerest highlighted the diligent efforts of federal prosecutors and Civil Division attorneys in recovering funds lost to criminal activities and in protecting taxpayer resources. These efforts, he noted, were pivotal in securing justice for victims and in reclaiming a considerable amount of taxpayer dollars.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Department of Justice’s litigating divisions, play a crucial role in enforcing and collecting debts owed to the U.S. and to victims of federal crimes. Defendants are legally required to compensate victims suffering physical or financial harm due to federal crimes. While restitution directly benefits the victims, criminal fines and assessments contribute to the Crime Victims Fund. This fund supports compensation and assistance programs for victims at both federal and state levels.
