DATE: August 18, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Lisa A. Smittcamp, District Attorney
SUBJECT: Federal Asset Forfeiture Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification FY 2019-20
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Approve and authorize Chairman to execute an Equitable Sharing Agreement with the Federal Government authorizing the District Attorney’s Office to participate in the Federal Equitable Sharing Program from September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021, and certifying as to funds received and expended during FY 2019-20; and
2. Authorize the District Attorney to submit the Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification and any and all “Applications for Transfer of Federally Forfeited Property (Form DAG-71)” as appropriate, and any related documents, as necessary, and designate a department employee to accept forfeited property, transfer documents, and/or receive funds.
REPORT
This program allows the District Attorney (DA) to receive a share of federally forfeited assets to be used according to the guidelines, which restrict the use of these assets. The DA and Governing Body Head must certify they have read and understand their obligations under the Equitable Sharing agreement, that the information submitted in conjunction with the document is an accurate accounting of funds received/spent by the DA under the Justice and/or Treasury Guidelines during the reporting period, and that the recipient Agency is in compliance with the National Code of Professional Conduct for Asset Forfeiture. The Department of Justice (DOJ) requires that state and local law enforcement agencies requesting an equitable share of proceeds complete and electronically submit an Application for Transfer of Federally Forfeited Property (Form DAG-71) within 45 days of a seizure. The certification annual report is also a requirement of this agreement, and must be filed within 60 days after the end of the fiscal year. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the agreement and certification is not executed, the Department would not receive a share of federally forfeited assets.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The agreement allows the DA to participate in the program, and the certification is an accounting of federal monies received and expended during FY 2019-20. In FY 2019-20, the DA received $75,552 in Federal Sharing funds and $6,591 in accrued interest income. During FY 2019-20, $46,734 was expended from the Federal Asset Forfeiture trust fund balance for law enforcement training costs.
DISCUSSION:
The Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984 provided federal investigators and prosecutors with the ability to conduct a national asset forfeiture program, and authorized the sharing of federal forfeiture proceeds with cooperating state and local law enforcement agencies.
One requirement of the Equitable Sharing agreement is the electronic submission of an annual certification report for an accounting of funds received and expended during the fiscal year. The DA and Governing Body Head certify they have read and understand their obligations under the Equitable Sharing agreement, that the information submitted in conjunction with the document is an accurate accounting of funds received/spent by the DA under the Justice and/or Treasury Guidelines during the reporting period, and that the recipient Agency is in compliance with the National Code of Professional Conduct for Asset Forfeiture. This includes certifying the DA is in compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of the laws cited therein, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, or age in any federally assisted program or activity, or on the basis of sex in any federally assisted education program or activity. It also certifies the DA has not suffered an adverse finding on any claims that the DA violated the discrimination statutes, nor has the DA entered into a settlement of any such claims.
Additionally, the DOJ requires that state and local law enforcement agencies requesting an equitable share of proceeds complete and electronically submit an Application for Transfer of Federally Forfeited Property (Form DAG-71) within 45 days of the seizure. The field office will make a recommendation on the DA’s sharing percentage based upon the information reported on this form. These percentages are ultimately approved by either the seizing agency headquarters, U.S. Attorney’s Office, or the Criminal Division.
When Federal Asset Forfeiture funds are received by the DA, they are deposited into a trust fund from which permissible expenditures will be made. The DA will return to your Board with budget resolutions to increase appropriations and provide estimated revenues for any future utilization of these funds.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #21, August 20, 2019
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck