Civil Division
The Civil Division represents the United States and its departments, agencies, and employees at both the trial and appellate levels in civil actions filed in both federal and state courts in Western Washington. There are presently 13 Assistant United States Attorneys in the Civil Division, including two attorneys in the Tacoma branch office. The Division is primarily responsible for providing legal representation in civil litigation, or anticipated civil litigation, in the following areas: general litigation matters involving federal agencies, fraud involving federal funds, violations of federal statutes and regulations, and recovery of sums owed the government. These are described more fully below.
General Litigation. Civil AUSAs represent the United States and its agencies in a wide array of civil suits brought by and against the government. Defensive cases handled by the Civil Division include suits under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), allegations of unlawful discrimination in federal employment, challenges to agency actions under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), suits seeking the release of records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act, and the defense of government officials sued in their individual capacities (Bivens actions). Affirmative cases handled by the Civil Division include condemnation actions, actions involving trespasses upon federal property or resources, veterans' reemployment rights actions, and lawsuits of various kinds to vindicate tribal treaty and other rights.
Government Fraud and Enforcement. The Civil Division devotes a substantial amount of its resources to the enforcement of federal regulatory requirements. Lawsuits in this category may result in injunctive relief, forfeiture of property, debarment and civil penalties. In the case of persons or entities who submit false claims or who otherwise commit fraud against the government, these lawsuits may also result in the recovery of damages on behalf of the United States. Much of this work is based upon the federal False Claims Act, with a significant portion devoted to pursuing health care fraud and contract fraud. This category of litigation also includes the enforcement of various health and safety, environmental and civil rights laws.
Financial Litigation. Lastly, the Civil Division is responsible for financial litigation in the District. The Civil Division includes a Financial Litigation Unit ("FLU") which is responsible for initiating legal proceedings to enforce criminal fines, restitution orders, and civil judgments. In addition, the Civil Division is responsible for representing the financial interests of the IRS and other federal agencies in bankruptcy proceedings. The Division also represents federal agencies in litigation seeking to foreclose against assets which are subject to a federal lien or which have been pledged as security for a loan made by a federal agency where the loan is in default.