Durbin Questions Director of DOJ KleptoCapture Task Force at Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Seizing Illicit Russian Assets

WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “KleptoCapture: Aiding Ukraine through Forfeiture of Russian Oligarchs’ Illicit Assets,” U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked Andrew C. Adams, Director of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) KleptoCapture Taskforce, about the task force’s progress and if there is cooperation with foreign governments to track and seize high value Russian assets.

“We’ve made a lot of noise about this oligarchs’ assets cause and changing our laws and our resolve. What do we have to show for it after four months?” Durbin began his three-point question.

“Secondly, do you get cooperation from other countries outside the United States in this effort?” Durbin continued.

Mr. Adams replied that the task force had already engaged in public seizures of some assets, including abroad where oligarchs have previously found sanctuary. Mr. Adams noted that there has been an unprecedented level of international collaboration and resource sharing, all spurred by the U.S.’ action on kleptocapture. Pointing to the U.S.’ cooperation with the European Union, Mr. Adams discussed an international effort to institute similar sanctions against Russian oligarchs in multiple countries. 

“Third, have you been able to bring this to Vladimir Putin’s doorstep? Many people think, I think Navalny and others have said it publicly, that he has amassed a fortune in the process of his leadership in Russia. Do we know that and is there any way to get to it?”  Durbin concluded his question.

While Mr. Adams could not comment directly on ongoing investigations, he reiterated that Putin remains on the task force’s sanction list and is a subject of investigations and efforts by the DOJ.

Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here for TV Stations.

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