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Overview

Mission Statement

The mission of the Treasury Forfeiture Fund is to affirmatively influence the consistent and 

strategic use of asset forfeiture by law enforcement bureaus participating in the Treasury 

Forfeiture Fund to disrupt and dismantle criminal enterprises.

Program Summary by Budget Activity

Dollars in Thousands

FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2010 to FY 2012

Actual Estimated Estimated $ Change % Change

 Asset Forfeiture Fund $852,078 $750,520 $905,209 $53,131 6.2%

Total Resources $852,078 $750,520 $905,209 $53,131 6.2%

Total FTE 24 24 24 - -

Please note that the above table reflects obligations.

FY 2012 Priorities

The Treasury Forfeiture Fund will use high impact forfeiture to dismantle criminal enterprise by: 

• Continuing to cultivate and strengthen relationships at the federal, state and local levels to 

use high impact asset forfeiture to disrupt and dismantle criminal enterprise.

• Educating and focusing stakeholders and others on the vision and mission of Treasury’s 

multi-Departmental asset forfeiture program.

• Focusing resources in a high impact manner that enhances enforcement against terrorist 

financing, illegal immigration, bulk cash smuggling, and money laundering; and that 

provides support to the National Money Laundering and Southwest Border Strategies.

• Fostering and supporting the investment of forfeiture resources in the needs of our 

participating law enforcement bureaus, including new technologies and data collection, in 

order to promote program excellence and strengthen the overall quality of high impact 

criminal investigations.

• Reinforcing relationships with member bureaus that extend across Departmental boundaries

and with state, local and foreign law enforcement agencies that extend the reach of federal 

law enforcement.

• Developing and modifying forfeiture training and awareness programs that are responsive to 

today’s needs and continually re-evaluate such training initiatives for best practices.
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Table of Contents

Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 1

Mission Statement....................................................................................................................... 1

Program Summary by Budget Activity....................................................................................... 1

FY 2012 Priorities....................................................................................................................... 1

Section 1 – Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 2

1A – Description of Bureau Vision and Priorities...................................................................... 2

1B – Program History and Future Outlook ................................................................................. 2

Section 2 – Budget Adjustments and Appropriation Language............................................... 5

2.2 – Operating Levels Table ...................................................................................................... 5

2.3 – Resource Detail Table ........................................................................................................ 5

2B – Appropriations Language and Explanation of Changes..................................................... 6

2C – Legislative Proposals.......................................................................................................... 6

Section 3 – Budget and Performance Plan ................................................................................. 7

3.1 – Budget by Strategic Outcome ............................................................................................ 7

3.2.1 Asset Forfeiture Fund Budget and Performance Plan........................................................ 8

Section 4 – Supporting Materials .............................................................................................. 10

4A – Human Capital Strategy Description................................................................................ 10

4B – Information Technology Strategy..................................................................................... 10
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Section 1 – Purpose

1A – Description of Bureau Vision and Priorities

The Treasury Forfeiture Fund (the Fund) is the receipt account for the deposit of non-tax 

forfeitures made pursuant to laws enforced or administered by bureaus participating in the 

Treasury Forfeiture Fund. The principal revenue-producing member bureaus include the Internal 

Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the U.S. Secret Service (Secret Service.) The 

latter three bureaus are part of the Department of Homeland Security, transferred as part of the 

Homeland Security Act of 2002. These member bureaus are joined by the U.S. Coast Guard, 

Department of Homeland Security, as the result of a long-standing close law enforcement 

relationship with CBP and ICE.

Vision: The focus of Fund management is on strategic cases and investigations that result in 

high impact forfeitures. This approach will have the greatest impact on criminal organizations 

and thus will accomplish the ultimate mission of the Fund to disrupt and dismantle criminal 

enterprises. The enhancement of forfeiture activity requires longer, more in-depth investigations. 

To this end, Fund management emphasizes the use of mandatory funding authorities that support 

large case initiatives including the purchase of evidence and information, joint operations 

expenses, investigative expenses leading to seizure, and asset identification and removal teams. 

In addition, it is also a priority to fund revenue-enhancing projects such as major case funding, 

database development and computer forensics through the use of the Secretary’s Enforcement 

Fund or Super Surplus funds when available.

Priorities: Asset seizure and forfeiture is a priority for the Fund’s participating law 

enforcement organizations, as well as the Department of the Treasury, and is linked directly to 

the National Money Laundering and Southwest Border Strategies. In this regard, management 

has identified the following priorities for mission success:

• Continue to educate and focus stakeholders, and others, on the vision and mission of 

Treasury’s multi-Departmental asset forfeiture program (i.e., affirmatively influence the 

consistent and strategic use of asset forfeiture by law enforcement bureaus participating in 

the Treasury Forfeiture Fund to disrupt and dismantle criminal enterprises);

• Focus resources in a manner that enhances support of law enforcement’s National Money 

Laundering Strategy, Southwest Border Strategy and anti-terrorism financing efforts; and

• Foster and support the investment of forfeiture resources in the needs of our participating law 

enforcement bureaus in order to promote program excellence and strengthen the overall 

quality of criminal investigations.

1B – Program History and Future Outlook

Program History: The Treasury Forfeiture Fund continued in its capacity as a multiDepartmental Fund in FY 2010, representing the forfeiture interests of law enforcement 

components of the Departments of the Treasury and Homeland Security. In the midst of this 

period of growth and change, the Fund’s law enforcement bureaus continued their hard work of 
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federal law enforcement and the application of asset forfeiture as a sanction to bring criminals to 

justice. 

FY 2010 was an exceptional revenue year for the Treasury Forfeiture Fund with income from 

forfeitures and recoveries totaling $1.193 billion. Among the FY 2010 major case forfeiture 

deposits was $500 million forfeited by the former ABN AMRO Bank N.V., now named the 

Royal Bank of Scotland N.V., as part of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement. ABN AMRO 

agreed to forfeit $500 million to the United States in connection with a conspiracy to defraud the 

United States, to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and to 

violate the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA), as well as a violation of the Bank Secrecy Act 

(BSA). Fifty percent of the revenue will be shared with the Department of Justice Assets 

Forfeiture Fund representing the joint investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation 

(FBI) that lead to forfeiture in this case. 

Another FY 2010 major case forfeiture deposit was an equitable share received from the 

Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund in the amount of $134 million pursuant to a 

Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with Credit Suisse AG (Credit Suisse). Credit Suisse 

waived indictment and agreed to the filing of a one count criminal information charging that 

Credit Suisse knowingly and willfully violated and attempted to violate regulations issued under 

the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in violation of Title 50 U.S.C. 

§1705. Pursuant to the signed DPA, Credit Suisse agreed to forfeit $268 million to the U.S. 

Government and pursuant to a separate DPA, forfeited another $268 million to the District 

Attorney of the County of New York, for total forfeitures for the violation of $536 million. The 

Treasury Forfeiture Fund’s equitable share from the Department of Justice, the lead agency in 

this case, was $134 million. Forfeiture revenue from these two major cases alone totaled $634 

million in FY 2010. 

Future Outlook: Management forecasts a continued robust program for FY 2011 and FY 2012

with forfeiture revenue and recoveries estimated at $927 million and $1.124 billion, respectively. 

In FY 2010, the Treasury Forfeiture Fund experienced higher than usual revenues as a result of 

some unusually large forfeiture cases and that pattern is expected to continue into FY 2012. 

However, past that time frame, it is difficult to predict forfeiture revenue for the program. Much 

depends on the staffing and workload priorities of member bureaus. Fund management 

continues to monitor the status of high impact cases through performance measurement and 

monthly reporting by member bureaus. 

FY 2011: For FY 2011, Fund management will remain focused on support for strategic 

investigative initiatives that will have the greatest impact on national and international criminal 

enterprise including valuable training and investigative expense funding that emphasizes high 

impact forfeiture cases. Fund management plans to continue investment in technologies and 

data collection and to further develop and modify forfeiture training and forfeiture awareness 

programs that are responsive to today’s needs and designed to foster the understanding and 

application of asset forfeiture; and to continually evaluate our basic method of operation to 

ensure that this methodology is the best one. Fund management will continue its work to 

reinforce relationships with member bureaus that extend across Departmental boundaries to 

ensure that the vision, mission, and operating strategies and policies of the Treasury Forfeiture 
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Fund continue to be recognized by the various Departments. As the result of pending major 

cases, the Fund will experience higher than average forfeiture revenue deposits during FY 2011. 

The Fund has allocated Super Surplus funds in the amount of $140 million during FY 2011.

FY 2012: The Treasury Forfeiture Fund is a vital, continuing, business enterprise that is 

essential in its importance to our member law enforcement bureaus. Given the priorities of the 

National Money Laundering and Southwest Border Strategies and the law enforcement priorities 

of our member bureaus, the outlook for FY 2012 is similar to FY 2011; management intends to 

maintain a dynamic and evolving asset forfeiture program that is responsive to the needs of 

member law enforcement bureaus. 

The FY 2012 President’s Budget proposes to permanently cancel $600 million in unobligated 

balances from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund, and to transfer an additional $30 million in 

unobligated balances to FinCEN for Bank Secrecy Act IT Modernization to remain available for 

3 years after which any unobligated balances will be transferred back to the Treasury Forfeiture 

Fund (see Administrative Provision 125) to support continuing development and 

maintenance. This transfer allows Treasury to use asset forfeiture to support the development of 

a tool that will support law enforcement’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism 

financing efforts.
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Section 2 – Budget Adjustments and Appropriation Language

2.2 – Operating Levels Table

Dollars in Thousands

Treasury Forfeiture Fund FY 2010 Obligated FY 2011 Estimated FY 2012 Estimated

FTE 24 24 24

Object Classification

25.2 - Other services $198,983 $366,596 $185,136

25.3 - Other purchases of goods and 

services from Govt. accounts $235,912 $236,124 $222,273

41 - Grants, subsidies, and 

contributions $417,183 $147,800 $497,800

Total Budget Authority $852,078 $750,520 $905,209

Budget Activities

Asset Forfeiture Fund $852,078 $750,520 $905,209

Total Budget Authority $852,078 $750,520 $905,209

2.3 – Resource Detail Table

Dollars in Thousands

% Change

The Fund has no direct FTE. FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2011

Obligated Estimated Estimated to FY 2012

Revenue:

Sources:

 Carryover from prior year $299,970 $580,785 $757,265 30.39%

 Restoration of temporary rescission $30,000 $90,000 $90,000

 Current year forfeiture revenue 1,192,893 927,000 1,124,000 21.25%

 Total Revenue 1,522,863 1,597,785 1,971,265 23.37%

Uses:

 Permanent Authority (Obligations) 852,078 750,520 905,209 20.61%

 Total Obligations 852,078 750,520 905,209 20.61%

Rescission of Unobligated Balances:

 1. Public Law 111-117 Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 -90,000

 2. Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (to March 4, 2011) -90,000

Reduction to Unobligated balances:

 Transfer of Unobligated Balances to FinCEN

 1. BSA IT Modernization, available for 3 years -30,000

 Cancellation of Unobligated Balances:

 1. Proposed Cancellation of Unobligated Balances -600,000

 Subtotal, Reduction to Unobligated Balances -90,000 -90,000 -630,000 600.00%

Carryover to next year 1

/ 580,785 757,265 436,056 -42.42%

1/ The Fund incurs expenses immediately upon the start of the new year, including costs of an extensive array of property contracts

which must be funded without delay. Therefore, a carryover is required each year.
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2B – Appropriations Language and Explanation of Changes 

Appropriations Language Explanation of Changes

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

TREASURY FORFEITURE FUND

Of the unobligated balances available under

this heading, $600,000,000 are hereby permanently 

cancelled.

For FY 2012, $600,000,000 of 

unobligated balances is 

proposed for permanent 

cancellation.

2C – Legislative Proposals

The Treasury Forfeiture Fund has no legislative proposals for FY 2012. 
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Section 3 – Budget and Performance Plan

This table lists all FY 2012 resources by strategic goal, objective and outcome outlined in the FY 

2007-2012 Treasury Department Strategic Plan. The Treasury Strategic Plan provides a 

description of what the agency intends to accomplish over the next five years.

For detailed information about the FY 2007-2012 Treasury Strategic Plan, please go to: 

http://www.treasury.gov/about/budget-performance/strategic-plan/Pages/index.aspx

3.1 – Budget by Strategic Outcome

Dollars in Thousands

Treasury Strategic Outcome FY 2010 

Actual

FY 2011 

Estimated

FY 2012 

Estimated

% Change

FY10 to FY12

 Removed or reduced threats to national security from 

terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, 

drug trafficking and other criminal activity on the part of 

rogue regimes, individuals, and their support networks 852,078 750,520 905,209 20.61%

Total $852,078 $750,520 $905,209 20.61%

3A - Asset Forfeiture Fund ($905,209,000 from reimbursable programs): The function of the 

Treasury Forfeiture Fund (the Fund) is to ensure resources are managed to cover the costs of an 

effective asset seizure and forfeiture program, including the costs of seizing, evaluating, 

inventorying, maintaining, protecting, advertising, forfeiting and disposing of property. Asset 

forfeiture is used by federal law enforcement to disrupt and dismantle criminal enterprises.

Summary of Treasury Forfeiture Fund Authorities: The Treasury Forfeiture Fund is a special 

fund with permanent, indefinite authority. Special funds are federal fund collections that are 

earmarked by law for a specific purpose, and which consist of separate receipt and expenditure 

accounts. The enabling legislation for the Treasury Forfeiture Fund (31 U.S.C. § 9703) defines 

those purposes for which the Fund’s revenue may be used. Forfeiture revenue on deposit in the 

Fund can be allocated and used as the result of a permanent indefinite appropriation provided by 

Congress.

A forfeiture process begins once property or cash is seized. Upon forfeiture, seized currency, 

initially deposited into a suspense, or holding account, is transferred to the Fund as forfeited 

revenue. Once forfeited, physical properties are sold and the proceeds are deposited into the 

Fund as forfeited revenue. It is forfeiture revenue that composes the budget authority for 

meeting expenses of running the Treasury Forfeiture Fund program.

Expenses of the Fund are set in a relative priority so that operating costs are met first. Expenses 

may not exceed revenue in the Fund.

Types of spending authority of the Fund:

The mandatory authority items are generally used to meet the operating costs of the Fund, 

including expenses of storing and maintaining seized and forfeited assets, valid liens and 

mortgages, investigative expenses incurred in pursuing a seizure, information and inventory 

systems, and certain costs of local police agencies incurred in joint law enforcement operations. 
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Following seizure, equitable shares are paid to state and local law enforcement agencies that 

contributed to the seizure activity at a level proportionate to their involvement. 

Secretary’s Enforcement Fund (SEF) is derived from equitable shares received from the 

Department of Justice or U.S. Postal Service (USPS) forfeitures. These shares represent 

Treasury’s portion in the overall investigative effort that lead to a Justice or USPS forfeiture. 

SEF revenue is available for Federal law enforcement purposes of any law enforcement 

organization participating in the Treasury Forfeiture Fund.

Super Surplus represents the remaining unobligated balance at the close of the fiscal year after 

an amount is reserved for Fund operations in the next fiscal year. Super Surplus can be used for 

any federal law enforcement purpose.

3.2.1 Asset Forfeiture Fund Budget and Performance Plan

Asset Forfeiture Fund Budget Activity

Resource Level FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012

Actual Actual Actual Estimated Estimated

 Appropriated Resources $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

 Reimbursable Resources $597,287 $483,586 $852,078 $750,520 $905,209

Total Resources $597,287 $483,586 $852,078 $750,520 $905,209

Budget Activity Total $597,287 $483,586 $852,078 $750,520 $905,209

Measure FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012

Actual Actual Actual Target Target

Percent of Forfeited Cash Proceeds Resulting from High-Impact 

Cases (%) (Oe)

86.91 87.65 93.11 80.0 80.0

Key: Oe - Outcome Measure, E - Efficiency Measure, Ot - Output/Workload Measure, M - Management/Cust. Satisfaction, 

DISC - Discontinued, and B - Baseline

Description of Performance: For FY 2012, the Fund will continue to measure the performance 

of the participating law enforcement bureaus through the use of the performance measure: 

percent of forfeited cash proceeds resulting from high impact cases. This measures the 

percentage of forfeited cash proceeds resulting from high impact cases, which includes those 

with currency forfeitures in excess of $100,000. Focusing on strategic case and investigations 

that result in high impact forfeitures will do the greatest damage to criminal organizations while 

accomplishing the ultimate objective which is to disrupt and dismantle criminal activity. 

Target: A target of 80 percent has been set for this performance measure. The target allows for 

those cases that may not be high impact in nature but are important to the exercise of law 

enforcement. The measure is calculated by dividing the total amount of forfeited cash proceeds 

from cases that are equal to or greater than $100,000 by the total amount of cash proceeds from 

all cash forfeiture cases. The data is regularly available to Fund management and provided 
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through accounting systems that record the data and is audited annually as part of the annual 

financial statement audit process. 

Performance Exceeds Target: Member law enforcement bureaus participating in the Treasury 

Forfeiture Fund have met or exceeded the performance target in seven of the nine fiscal years 

since inception of the measure in FY 2002.

For detailed information about the FY 2007-2012 Treasury Strategic Plan, please visit the 

Resources Tab of the following Link, and from there, select the Strategic Plan link. 

http://www.treasury.gov/about/budget-performance/strategic-plan/Pages/index.aspx
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Section 4 – Supporting Materials

4A – Human Capital Strategy Description

The Treasury Forfeiture Fund is managed by the Treasury Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture 

(TEOAF), a policy office that reports to the Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing. 

TEOAF will reimburse Treasury’s Departmental Offices covering the salaries and benefits of 

TEOAF staff, General Counsel positions, and Procurement Services Division positions. 

The Departmental Offices (DO) Office of Human Resources (OHR) ensures the availability of 

tools required to manage the human capital that supports accomplishment of DO’s strategic goals 

and mission. OHR does this through the provision of sound advice and guidance to managers 

and execution of processes related to staff employment, retention, recognition, employee and 

labor relations, benefits, performance management and development. 

4B – Information Technology Strategy

The Treasury Forfeiture Fund uses Departmental Offices systems and is part of their information 

technology strategy. The Department is extremely reliant on its Information Technology 

infrastructure. The cost associated with this infrastructure represents one of the greatest 

opportunities the Department has for parlaying the savings from greater efficiency to the 

deployment of new capabilities. In light of this, the Treasury E-Board has endorsed the 

following multi-faceted strategy for assessing and executing against the opportunities that exist 

for reducing the cost of the Department’s IT infrastructure: 

• Converge our voice and data networks to a more capable and cost effective platform; 

• Expand the usage of virtualization technologies to further improve the cost efficiency of 

our computing centers;

• Promote greater leverage of either Department-wide or multi-bureau IT capabilities (i.e., 

data centers, enterprise content management, etc.); and

• Ensure the usage of cross enterprise licensing for commodity software and hardware.