Pubdate: Sat, 23 Feb 2002
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)
Copyright: 2002 Richmond Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.timesdispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/365
Author: Tom Campbell
Related: Forfeiture Endangers American Rights http://www.fear.org/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)

CRIMINALS' MONEY TO FIGHT CRIME

Paul J. McNulty, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia,
on Thursday handed over nearly $100,000 taken from criminals - money
that will be used in fighting more criminals.

McNulty presented checks to the Virginia State Police and the Virginia
attorney general's office.

The state police got $62,000 and the attorney general's office
$37,500, McNulty said. The money was forfeited through federal cases
in which the two agencies participated.

The $62,000 was part of $300,000 in cash seized in a major drug case
centered in Newport News.

The rest of the money went mainly to the local police departments,
McNulty said.

The $37,500 was part of a forfeiture imposed in a fraud case the
attorney general's office cooperated in investigating.

The federal asset forfeiture program distributes money seized through
federal criminal investigations for use by law enforcement agencies.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake