960

More Severe Sanctions, Including Forfeiture

The maximum fine and maximum term of imprisonment for violating the mail or wire fraud statutes were increased to $1,000,000 and 20 years for violations affecting financial institutions. Pub.L. No. 101-73, Title IX, §  961(i) and (j), 103 Stat. 500. In addition, FIRREA directed the United States Sentencing Commission to provide guidelines ensuring that a violation of, or a conspiracy to violate, the mail or wire fraud statutes that substantially jeopardizes the safety and soundness of a federally insured financial institution will be subject to "a substantial period of incarceration." Pub.L. No. 101-73, Title IX, § 961(m), 103 Stat. 501; see also U.S.S.G. §  2F1.1(6) (minimum offense level of 24). 18 U.S.C. §§ 981(a)(1) and 982 were also amended to provide for civil and criminal forfeiture, respectively, for mail and wire frauds affecting financial institutions. Pub.L. No. 101-73, Title IX, §  963, 103 Stat. 504-05. [cited in USAM 9-43.100]