FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CRM

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1994 (202) 616-2777

TDD (202) 514-1888

VETERAN JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SECTION CHIEF GERALD MCDOWELL TO HEAD

ASSET FORFEITURE OFFICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Assistant Attorney General Jo Ann

Harris announced today that Gerald E. McDowell, formerly Chief of
the Criminal Division's Fraud Section, has been named to be the
new head of the Asset Forfeiture Office in the Criminal Division.
McDowell is one of the Justice Department's most senior
managers. He has been with the Criminal Division for more than
25 years. He served as head of the Organized Crime Strike Forces
in St. Louis and Boston, as Chief of the Public Integrity
Section, and, since 1992, head of the Fraud Section.
"The selection of Mr. McDowell represents the Justice
Department's strong commitment to ensuring that criminals do not
profit from their crimes," said Harris, who heads the
Department's Criminal Division.
The Asset Forfeiture Office is responsible for developing,
coordinating and implementing nationwide policies regarding the
seizure and forfeiture of assets from criminals.
Harris noted that "the power to seize and forfeit criminally
derived property is one of law enforcement's most effective
tools."
In the current fiscal year, almost $500 million in civil and
criminal forfeitures has been collected.
"These forfeitures," according to Harris, "strike criminals
where it counts, depriving them of their ill-gotten assets and
making it less likely that the criminal organization or scheme
will continue." At the same time, the proceeds of forfeitures
are shared with state and local authorities to benefit law
enforcement nationwide.
The Asset Forfeiture Office, Ms. Harris said, "does a superb
job of working with the United States Attorneys' Offices to
develop our ability to make effective use of this invaluable
tool." To head this important office, Ms. Harris said, she
turned to "a person with a great depth of experience within the
Department and a reputation for exercising sound judgment and
working well with other law enforcement personnel."
Harris said that she will name a new Chief of the Fraud
Section shortly. In the interim, G. Allen Carver, Principal
Deputy Chief of the Section, will serve as Acting Chief.
#####
94-584