Organizational Structure
The United States Attorney for Southern District of Georgia is the chief law enforcement officer in the district. The United States Attorney has a staff of 26 AUSAs and 39 support staff working in the head quarters office in Savannah and the staffed branch office in Augusta. A general description of each division within the office follows:
Criminal Division
The Criminal Division investigates and prosecutes federal crimes within the 43 counties that comprise the Southern District of Georgia. Criminal Division attorneys prosecute significant cases, including serious drug offenses, racketeering, public corruption offenses, mail and wire fraud, health care fraud, mortgage fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, child pornography, immigration violations, firearms violations, counterfeiting and crimes on military reservations such as Fort Stewart and Fort Gordon. A new and important assignment included among the Division's responsibilities is to lead and coordinate the Department of Justice's anti-terrorism effort in southeast Georgia. This anti-terrorism effort is particularly focused on the ports of Savannah and Brunswick where crime interdiction is also a priority.
The Asset Forfeiture Section, Criminal Division, seeks to enforce the laws of the United States using the criminal and civil forfeiture statutes to seize and forfeit assets of those committing federal crimes, separating criminals and their associates from the profits of their illegal activities.
Civil Division
The Civil Division represents the United States, its agencies, offices and employees in district court and on appeal in a wide range of civil actions in both federal and state courts. Civil Division Assistant United States Attorneys defend employment discrimination cases, personal injury and wrongful death actions to include, medical malpractice suits, constitutional tort claims, injunctive and declaratory relief actions and challenges to agency actions such as the denial of social security benefits. The Civil Division defends decisions by the Department of Homeland Security to remove aliens from the United States. The Civil Division is responsible for all pro se prisoner litigation including claims of violations of constitutional rights while incarcerated as well as petitions for writs of habeas corpus. A very important aspect of the Division's commercial litigation duties is bankruptcy litigation which often results in the collection of money for the United States. The tremendous volume of civil litigation generated in the Southern District of Georgia arises because of the four major military installations in the District, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), a federal prison, and three Veterans Administration Medical Facilities. Representatives of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, and various federal law enforcement agencies are present in the district.
While the vast majority of civil litigation against the United States is filed in federal court, some cases are filed in state courts throughout Georgia. Our Division attorneys often enter limited appearances in state court for removal actions and to defend lien actions as well as land condemnation proceedings.
The Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Section within the Civil Division seeks monetary recovery primarily using the False Claims Act and common law causes of action to recover money paid by the United States as a result of false and fraudulent claims having been submitted by individuals, contractors and vendors. The Financial Litigation Unit (FLU) within the Civil Division seeks to collect debts owed to the United States by using the Federal Debt Collection Act and other common law and statutory remedies. In addition, the Financial Litigation Unit collects criminal fines and restitution owed to non-federal victims of criminal activity. Finally, the Financial Litigation Unit accepts referrals directly from federal agencies to collect civil penalties and other debts imposed upon individuals, companies and other entities pursuant to authorized federal statute and regulation.
Administrative Division
The Administrative Division provides administrative services and logistical support relating to financial management, personnel management, procurement, management information systems, telecommunications, space and security.
Executive Division
The Executive Division is comprised of the senior management team including the United States Attorney, the First Assistant United States Attorney, the Criminal and Civil Division Chiefs, the Branch Office Chief, the ATAC Coordinator, and the Administrative Officer. The Executive Division directs the litigation, operation and administration of the entire district.