The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee announced the recovery of $137,054,515 for American taxpayers and crime victims during Fiscal Year 2024. Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire commended the office’s efforts in protecting public funds from fraud and recovering criminal proceeds.
The majority of the collected funds, amounting to $135,738,858, were recovered from civil cases. These cases primarily involved actions under the False Claims Act, which allows the United States to recover up to three times the fraudulently obtained amount from government programs. Additionally, over $59 million of the civil collections came from penalties under the Controlled Substances Act.
In criminal cases, the office obtained money judgments totaling approximately $4,130,000. Furthermore, the U.S. Attorney’s Office recovered $939,718 through the forfeiture of criminal and civil assets during the fiscal year.
A key focus of the United States Attorney’s Office is the affirmative civil enforcement aimed at recovering funds lost to fraud, such as Medicare and TennCare fraud, and addressing violations of federal laws. Asset forfeiture is also a priority, targeting the profits and tools of crimes. The office actively enforces the collection of federal debts, including criminal fines, restitution orders, and civil judgments within the Middle District of Tennessee.
Source: Read Original Release
Memphis Man Sentenced for Meth Distribution
Richard Collins, a 35-year-old Memphis resident, has been sentenced to 100 months in prison for distributing methamphetamine, following an undercover operation by the ATF targeting the 92 Bishop Blood street gang. The investigation led to a transaction involving 63.34 grams of pure methamphetamine. Collins pleaded guilty and was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Thomas L. Parker, and will also undergo four years of supervised release without the possibility of parole. The case highlights the importance of law enforcement collaboration in combating organized crime.