Evergreen Reporter

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida reported a total collection of $10,739,347.57 in civil and criminal actions for Fiscal Year 2024. This amount includes $6,129,268.26 from criminal actions and $4,610,079.31 from civil actions.

Acting United States Attorney Michelle Spaven stated that the office's efforts involve collaboration with federal, state, and local law partners to collect funds owed in both criminal and civil matters. "These efforts recover funds owed in civil and criminal debts and are used to punish criminals, make victims whole, and return funds to the federal treasury," said Acting U.S. Attorney Spaven.

Among notable cases was Chad Wade's conviction in November 2023 for wire fraud, money laundering, and bankruptcy fraud related to COVID-related activities. He received a 14-month prison sentence along with an order to pay restitution amounting to approximately $1.58 million to the United States Small Business Administration and a fine of $100,000. In FY 2024, the full restitution amount was collected by the Northern District of Florida. Additionally, under the False Claims Act, over $2.2 million was collected from Wade as part of a civil judgment totaling over $4 million.

In another case from November 2022 involving Kathleen Jasper's guilty plea for racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit theft of trade secrets resulted in her receiving a 10-month imprisonment sentence along with an order to pay restitution of $135,026 to the Florida Department of Education. The full restitution was recovered in FY 2024 through mechanisms including the Treasury Offset Program.

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are tasked with enforcing and collecting both civil debts owed to the U.S., as well as criminal debts owed directly or indirectly to federal crime victims.

Additionally, asset forfeiture actions brought about by collaborative efforts between partner agencies resulted in collections amounting to $10,417,393 during FY 2024 within the Northern District of Florida.

The Northern District is one among 94 offices serving as principal litigators under direction from the Attorney General.

For public court documents access online or more information regarding this office visit their official website: http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html