ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER HONORS NORTH CAROLINIANS AND ANNOUNCES $1.75 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDS FOR STATE

WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. announced today that the Department of Justice is awarding more than $1.75 million in Recovery Act formula grants for North Carolina state victim assistance and victim compensation programs. The Attorney General made the announcement in his remarks at the National Crime Victims' Rights Week Awards Ceremony where he also recognized the staff of the Financial Litigation Unit in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Raleigh N.C., for their efforts on behalf of crime victims. The ceremony is a prelude to the nation's observance of National Crime Victims' Rights Week, April 26-May 2, 2009.

"We all owe a debt to these honorees and to the countless other advocates across the country who tirelessly work to protect victims' rights," Attorney General Eric Holder said. "The Department of Justice is committed to protecting victims' rights, which is why I'm so pleased we've been able to dedicate funds from the Recovery Act to assist these advocates in their invaluable work."

The Financial Litigation Unit (FLU), with the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, has helped to restore victims' rightful ownership from what has been taken away, lost, or surrendered from federal criminal defendants. The FLU team-Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette, paralegal Sarah Aman, accountant Margaret Davis, and agents Claire Farland, Charlene Harris, and David Stearns-has made extraordinary efforts to restore substantial amounts back to victims of crime.

In addition to the Financial Litigation Unit, the Attorney General recognized nine other individuals and programs for their service to crime victims. More information about the Recovery Act Victim Assistance and Compensation formula grants, the Crime Victims Fund, and National Crime Victims' Rights Week is available at: ojp.gov.

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