Civil Debt Collection: Justice's Private Counsel Pilot Program Should Be Expanded
GGD-94-195
Published: Sep 14, 1994. Publicly Released: Sep 14, 1994.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Department of Justice's (DOJ) private counsel debt collection pilot program, focusing on: (1) whether the program is a cost-effective mechanism for collecting delinquent nontax civil debt; (2) collection results and program costs; and (3) whether the use of private counsel firms effectively reduces the debt collection caseload.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Because of the success of the pilot program and the flexibility it provides in addressing debt collection, Congress should consider allowing the Attorney General to contract with private counsel firms to collect delinquent nontax civil debt on an as needed basis. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
No action has been initiated. |
| Congress should consider expanding the Attorney General's authority to contract with private counsel firms to all federal judicial districts and not limit it to 15 districts as currently authorized. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
No action has been initiated. |
| Congress should consider deleting the requirement contained in 31 U.S.C. 3718(b)(1)(A) that the Attorney General use best efforts to contract with at least four private counsel firms in each district. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
No action has been initiated. |
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Topics
Collection proceduresContract costsCost effectiveness analysisDebt collectionDelinquent loansGovernment collectionsLawyersLegal services contractsProgram evaluationStudent loans