U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) applauded the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) decision on Monday to resume equitable sharing payments under its Asset Forfeiture Program.
The DOJ notified local law enforcement agencies in December that equitable sharing payments administered through its Asset Forfeiture Program would be temporarily deferred to preserve the program’s financial solvency.
In February, Ayotte introduced the Support Our Brave Law Enforcement Act, S. 2576, to restore equitable sharing payments to local police. Ayotte also urged Attorney General Loretta Lynch to reinstate the payments in a letter sent in January.
“Reinstating this program will restore a critical tool for our state and local law enforcement communities as they work to battle New Hampshire’s growing heroin and prescription opioid abuse epidemic and keep our state safe,” Ayotte said on Monday. “I’m grateful that the Department of Justice heeded my call to restore equitable sharing payments and look forward to continuing to work with them on the federal response to this crisis.”
The DOJ’s announcement on Monday signals that assets seized through civil forfeiture laws will continue to be split with local law enforcement agencies under the equitable sharing program.
“This is great news for the North Country as our local law enforcement depends on these critical funds to keep our community safe,” Stefanik said. “Providing law enforcement with the tools they need is important for public safety and crime prevention, and I will continue to work to make sure these critical funds are available.”
The equitable sharing program will resume immediately, with law enforcement agencies receiving the full amount of any approved equitable sharing payments, according to the DOJ.