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Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office recommending the Board approve and authorize staff to electronically submit, on behalf of the Chair, the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification for Federal Asset Forfeiture with the United States Department of Justice and United States Department of the Treasury.
FUNDING: Equitable Sharing (Asset Forfeiture).
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Equitable Sharing Agreement is entered into and between the Federal Government, the El Dorado County Sheriff, the El Dorado County District Attorney, and the Governing Body of the County and sets forth the requirements for participation in the Federal Equitable Sharing Program, including the restrictions of use for federally forfeited cash, property, proceeds, and any interest earned thereon, which are equitably shared with participating law enforcement agencies.
In accordance with Equitable Sharing Agreement guidelines, the agreement must contain the beginning Equitable Sharing Fund Balances, Equitable Sharing Funds Received, and Equitable Sharing Funds spent through the end of the Agency's fiscal year (FY 2022-23). Once submitted, the Sheriff's and District Attorney's Offices will be able to receive their current year share of federal asset forfeitures, if they become available, and use these funds according to the prescribed guidelines for law enforcement purposes.
In FY 2022-23, the Sheriff's Office did not receive funds from the Equitable Sharing Program as numerous cases are awaiting forfeiture decisions. The District Attorney received approximately $287,000. Funds may be used to support permissible task force operations, activities that enhance future investigations, Law Enforcement equipment, Law Enforcement training, memorabilia, and drug buyback programs. Funds spent must be for Law Enforcement purposes only and all funds used must be non-supplanting.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could elect for the reports not to be submitted an...
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