Statement of J. William Gadsby, Director, Federal Management Issues, General Government Division, General Accounting Office, on April 25, 1991 Concerning Asset Forfeiture: Opportunities for Savings Through Program Consolidation Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs

• NCJ Number: 159793
• Author(s): J W Gadsby
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: US Government Accountability Office
• Sale Source: Azimuth Inc.
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

The United States General Accounting Office (GAO) will soon issue a report recommending that the management and disposition of the noncash assets seized by the Department of Justice and Customs be consolidated into one agency.

Abstract

The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 requires the Attorney Genera and Secretary of the Treasury to develop a plan for consolidating the post-seizure administration of properties seized for drug-related violations. However, little progress has been made toward developing that plan. The GAO review concluded that consolidation would save money and promote efficiency. The framework it proposes covers more properties than the existing legislative requirement, includes a timetable for action, and establishes accountability. It includes property seized in both drug and nondrug cases and sets a 6-month time period for working out the details. It also proposes that the Marshals Service of the Department of Justice be the agency to manage the program, because it has a staff of more than 240 persons who are experienced in managing property seized by other agencies, as well as a regional infrastructure dedicated to performing program oversight and providing technical assistance to its field offices. Map and figures