Seized Assets Money Could Go to Police
- Share via
Police would receive a little more than $713,000 in asset forfeiture money under an action to be considered by the City Council on Monday.
The money, which must be spent according to federal guidelines, would be used for items ranging from overtime pay to equipment, according to a staff report.
Asset forfeiture money is seized by police when it constitutes profits from illegal activities such as drug dealing.
Other items such as cars and homes seized by police under federal law may also be sold, and the money later returned to police, said Alice Dery, an official with the U.S. Department of Justice.
The $713,860 to be considered by the City Council on Monday is a sizable sum. But local and federal officials said that asset forfeitures have dropped in recent years, mostly because criminals are finding ways around the law.
“The crooks are getting more savvy,” Dery said.
She said, for example, that those involved in illegal activities are more careful about leaving large sums of cash lying around and may funnel money to family members.
The City Council meets at 6 p.m. at 22 Civic Center Plaza.
Information: (714) 647-6520.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
