The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming announced on Apr. 27 that its Financial Litigation Program has collected more than $868,000 for victims in a mail and wire fraud case involving Brett Lattin.
This recovery is significant because it provides restitution to those affected by financial crimes, underscoring the office’s commitment to enforcing federal law and supporting crime victims. The collection was carried out under the Federal Debt Collection Procedure Act in the case U.S. v. Lattin et al., Docket No. 2:10-cr-00088-ABJ.
“Through the FLP, our office diligently seeks to collect restitution for up to twenty years after the conviction or time-served,” said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith. “This includes locating debtors and hidden assets then initiating post-judgment remedies, including (when appropriate), selling defendants’ real and personal property.” According to court records, Lattin falsely claimed to be a civil engineer with Marathon Oil Company in 2006, later participating in a scheme involving kickbacks and false receipts that defrauded his employer.
Lattin pleaded guilty in June 2010 to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and was ordered by the court to pay $2,450,000 in restitution after serving his sentence. The Financial Litigation Program used various methods over several years but only recently succeeded by locating and selling Lattin’s house along with personal property left behind, resulting in this substantial payment toward victim restitution.
“We recovered almost a million dollars in this case simply because of the tenacity and hard work of Assistant United States Attorney Jasmine Peters who handled this enforcement matter,” Smith said.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming advances public safety by addressing emerging crime trends and training law enforcement according to its official website. The office operates locations across Cheyenne, Casper, Lander, and Mammoth Hot Springs within Yellowstone National Park according to its official website, functioning under the United States Department of Justice according to its official website. It serves all 23 counties across nearly 98,000 square miles with a population around 581,348 according to its official website.
The jurisdiction also covers areas such as Wind River Indian Reservation and parts of Yellowstone National Park according to its official website. Its responsibilities include prosecuting federal crimes as well as defending government interests during civil litigation according to its official website. The office investigates crimes at both local levels through partnerships established since July 1981 via their Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee according to its official website.
