On March 2, 2022, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the launch of task force KleptoCapture. The task force’s name is a pithy play on the word “kleptocracy,” which refers to corrupt individuals who misuse their powers to amass wealth and status at the expense of those that they govern. And what are the goals of the task force? They are immense.

KleptoCapture is charged with “enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions, and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with allies and partners,” in response to Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. Department of Justice Press Release, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Announces Launch of Task Force KleptoCapture (March 2, 2022). By coordinating the resources of the federal government through the task force, the Justice Department aims to take a whole-government approach to investigating and prosecuting violations of sanctions, using civil and criminal asset forfeiture authorities to seize and forfeit assets, and leveraging existing criminal statutes to target sanctioned individuals and others who are closely tied to Russian officials. The message coming from the Attorney General is clear: Using all available legal tools, go get ‘em, and make it hurt.