The Criminal Division responds to threats against public safety in the district. This involves efforts to disrupt and dismantle violent criminal street gangs, major drug trafficking organizations, and drug cartels that are responsible for supplying much of the illegal narcotics distributed in the District. In addition, prosecutors in the Criminal Division battle against predators who use computers and the Internet to exploit and harm others. Whether that exploitation is by way of identity theft and fraud or the manufacturing and distribution of child p*rnography, the Office works to ensure that wrongdoers are apprehended and appropriately punished, while the victims are provided the assistance they need. Prosecutors in the Criminal Division also pursue those who commit financial crimes, including mortgage, investor, securities and health care fraud. Finally, the Criminal Division maintains focus on investigating and prosecuting environmental crimes and public corruption offenses across the District.
The National Security Division is responsible for investigating and prosecuting foreign and domestic terror organizations that pose threats to our nation. In addition, the Division also battles large-scale cyber crime and violations involving the exportation of sensitive technologies.
The Civil Division works to enforce the Fair Housing Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Voting Rights Act, among other federal civil rights laws. In addition, it uses the powerful tool of civil litigation, seeking monetary damages and civil penalties, to address a wide range of illegal conduct, including mortgage fraud, efforts to defraud the Medicare system, defense procurement fraud, Food and Drug violations, and environmental torts. The Civil Division is also responsible for defending federal agencies and employees who are sued in federal courts.
The Tax Division engages in both civil and criminal litigation to combat a variety of tax frauds, including phony tax shelters, return preparer frauds, and tax protester schemes.
In addition to the litigating divisions, the United States Attorney’s Office is involved extensively in the communities it serves, through outreach, training, local events, and partnerships with law enforcement, faith-based organizations, and local schools.
