The Justice Department is launching a special unit to help enforce sanctions against Russian government officials and oligarchs, targeting their yachts, jets, real estate and other assets, CNN reports. The new Task Force KleptoCapture is part of the effort by the U.S., the European Union and other allies to punish Russia and Belarus for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, using export restrictions and other financial sanctions. President Biden, in his State of the Union speech, highlighted the effort: "To the Russian oligarchs and corrupt leaders who have bilked billions of dollars off this violent regime: No more."
Attorney General Merrick Garland said the ask force includes prosecutors and federal agents and experts in money laundering, tax enforcement and national security investigations from the FBI, the IRS, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Postal Inspection Service. "The Justice Department will use all of its authorities to seize the assets of individuals and entities who violate these sanctions," Garland said. "We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue this unjust war. Let me be clear: if you violate our laws, we will hold you accountable." The new unit will be run out of the office of Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.