GAO

Compensating the Victims of Federal Crimes

Highlights from GAO-18-203


What is criminal restitution? 

Criminals convicted of federal offenses are sometimes required to compensate victims for their losses.  
This is called criminal restitution. 

During FY 2014-2016, criminal restitution was ordered for 15% of offenders. 

Figure: bar chart
Percentage of offenders: 15%
Source: GAO analysis of U.S. Sentencing Commission data.

Restitution is ordered for crimes like:
 - fraud
 - assault
whose victims suffer losses like: 
 - stolen money
 - medical bills


How is restitution collected?

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for collecting restitution.
 - If the offender pays, their payment goes to the U.S. District Court. The Clerk of the Court pays the victim.  
 - If the offender can pay but doesn't, DOJ can collect using methods such as:
	- filing liens against property
	- garnishing wages
 - If the offender can't pay, DOJ suspends collection actions.


How much money do victims receive?

DOJ collected $2.9 billion of the $112.9 billion owed to victims during FY 2014-2016.

Figure: Restitution owed during FY 2014-2016
 - DOJ suspended collection on $100 billion because offenders couldn't pay. 
 - $10 billion was considered "collectable" by DOJ, but was not collected.  
 - DOJ collected $2.9 billion from offenders.
Source: GAO analysis of DOJ data.


What do we recommend to DOJ?

 - Develop and implement a performance measurement system for restitution collection and track progress towards meeting goals.
 - Ensure that an offender's forfeited assets are used to compensate their victims as appropriate.


For more information, see GAO-18-203 at GAO.GOV. 

This work has been released into the public domain.

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