Grassley: Oversight Must Be Key Component of Asset Forfeiture Program

“Asset forfeiture can be a useful tool in preventing future crimes and helping to make victims whole, but we must take care to ensure it is used properly and in a way that only targets criminal activity. Adoption and equitable sharing of seized assets between federal law enforcement and state or local agencies have created perverse incentives in the past that jeopardized the rights of law abiding citizens. Efforts to improve safeguards for the rights and property of law abiding Americans and increase scrutiny of civil asset forfeiture are important steps to curb any abuses or mistakes, but the program will also require stringent oversight to ensure it is accomplishing the intended outcome of helping victims, not creating new ones,” Grassley said.