DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE
UNITED STATES TRUSTEE SYSTEM FUND
(Dollars in thousands)
| Perm. Pos |
FTE | Amount | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 actuals | 1,128 | 1,009 | $121,549 | |
| 2001 enacted | 1,034 | 1,017 | 125,997 | |
| Government-wide .22% rescission pursuant to P.L. 106-554 | ... | ... | ... | |
| 2001 appropriation | 1,034 | 1,017 | 125,997 | |
| Increases (see p. 33) | ... | ... | 8,925 | |
| 2002 base | 1,034 | 1,017 | 134,922 | |
| Program changes (detailed below) | 184 | 93 | 19,122 | |
| 2002 estimate | 1,218 | 1,110 | 154,044 | |
| 2001 Availability | 2002 Base | 2002 Estimate | Program Changes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison by activity and program | Perm. Pos. |
FTE | Amount | Perm. Pos. |
FTE | Amount | Perm. Pos. |
FTE | Amount | Perm. Pos. |
FTE | Amount | |
| 1. Administration of Cases: | |||||||||||||
| Budget Authority | 981 | 965 | $115,864 | 981 | 965 | $124,382 | 1,151 | 1,051 | $142,515 | 170 | 86 | $18,133 | |
| 2. Management and Administration: | |||||||||||||
| Budget Authority | 53 | 52 | 10,133 | 53 | 52 | 10,540 | 67 | 59 | 11,529 | 14 | 7 | 989 | |
| Total | 1,034 | 1,017 | $125,997 | 1,034 | 1,017 | $134,922 | 1,218 | 1,110 | $154,044 | 184 | 93 | 19,122 | |
| Program Changes |
Perm. |
FTE | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abuse Litigation | 112 | 56 | $6,800 |
| An increase of 112 positions (36 attorneys), 56 workyears, and $6,800,000 is requested to identify the number of debtors abusing the bankruptcy system. This initiative targets those who file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy but may have the income to sustain a Chapter 13 repayment plan. Based on two separate independent reviews, the USTP believes that approximately 7 percent of cases filed are potentially abusive. The requested positions will allow the USTP to increase the number of abusive cases worked from 14,040 to 42,120. | |||
| Caseload Increase | 55 | 28 | 3,700 |
| An increase of 55 positions (15 attorneys), 28 workyears, and $3,700,000 is requested to process the significant increase in bankruptcy filings in the past few years. By 2002, filings will increase by 24 percent over 2001, to a historic high of 1.6 million cases. Without additional staff, filers can expect longer case processing times, limited oversight reviews, and a reduction in the number of motions filed in court. | |||
| Automation Initiative | 5 | 3 | 7,322 |
| An increase of 5 positions, 3 workyears, and $7,322,000 is requested to upgrade EOUST's automated case management system (ACMS). The EOUST has used the ACMS for more than 10 years, far longer than its useful life cycle. Without a complete systems upgrade, analysis of bankruptcy data cannot occur without significant labor-intensive conversion. The requested funds will also allow EOUST to upgrade the current case filing system, which electronically downloads critical bankruptcy data filed by various organizations. | |||
| Bankruptcy Fraud | 12 | 6 | 1,000 |
| An increase of 12 positions (12 attorneys), 6 workyears, and $1,000,000 is requested to establish a Bankruptcy Fraud Team serving each of the 11 judicial circuits, plus the Washington, D.C. area. The team will identify bankruptcy fraud and support the prosecutorial efforts of federal law enforcement organizations. These resources will ensure that filers who violate bankruptcy laws are held accountable for their actions. The team will work closely with the National Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group, which includes representatives from the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, DOJ's Criminal Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Postal Inspection Service, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Inspectors General for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Commodities Futures Trading Commission. | |||
| Physical Security | ... | ... | 300 |
| An increase of $300,000 is requested to install 100 duress alarms in the USTP's meeting rooms where employees meet with creditors and debtors. Basic safety measures must be taken before additional emergency incidents occur. | |||
| Total Program Changes, United States Trustees | 184 | 93 | 19,122 |