2261

Purchase or Personal Use of Forfeited Property by Department Employees

Department of Justice employees are generally prohibited from purchasing property that has been forfeited to the Government and is being sold by the Department of Justice or its agents. This policy is intended to ensure that there is no actual or apparent use of inside information by employees wishing to purchase such property. The purpose of this policy is to protect the integrity of the asset forfeiture program. Although we are unaware that any such purchases have occurred, this policy will avoid problems before they develop. We believe it is important to the integrity of the Department's forfeiture program that we preclude even the appearance of a conflict of interest which would otherwise arise should a Department employee purchase forfeited property. [cited in USAM 9-115.500]