NCJ Number
156648
Date Published
1986
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) evaluated the adequacy of controls governing the conversion of forfeited personal property to government use, specifically focusing on the degree to which the Dallas field division office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) adhered to agency guidelines.
Abstract
The GAO found that furniture and various household goods seized by the Dallas DEA office in September 1985 were converted to government use in April 1986. The key concept in DEA's existing policy on converting forfeited personal property was whether it had operational value. However, this term was not defined clearly, and DEA guidelines made no reference to the types of forfeitable personal property or specific uses that are acceptable. DEA also did not require field managers to justify the need for personal property that was being converted to government use, nor were the conversions reviewed by higher level officials for acceptability. In September 1986, the DEA issued interim instructions for converting forfeited personal property to government use; these instructions required field managers to provide written justifications for all conversions, to obtain Headquarters Property Management Unit approval before seized property is put into use, and to dispose of all items which are not property justified for conversion. 3 figures, 3 notes, and 1 appendix