Forfeitures

Supervising Prosecuting Attorney
Melinda Rinehart
(513) 946-3267
Melinda.Rinehart@hcpros.org
Fax : (513) 946-3021

Since 1986 the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office has maintained an Asset Seizure and Forfeiture Unit, which currently handles more than 500 cases per year.

Property, which is used to facilitate the commission of criminal acts or which constitutes the proceeds from criminal activity, is subject to seizure and forfeiture to the seizing law enforcement agencies. Annually, thousands of dollars are seized and forfeited from drug traffickers and other criminals. In addition to money, motor vehicles, computers and other equipment are forfeited to law enforcement agencies each year. In addition to supporting law enforcement activities, The Prosecutor's Office uses Ten Percent (10%) or more of forfeited funds that they receive to support community drug education programs. A few of these examples which specifically address drug education programs are:

• Cincinnati Works
• Bethany House Services
• Women of Alabaster Ministries
• Reaching Out For Kids
• Boy Scouts of America
• Red's Community Fund
• Queen City Youth Development Program, Inc
• Tender Mercies
• BLOC Ministries
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati
• Baptist Minister's Conference
• Higher Education Mentoring Initiative
• Lighthouse Youth & Family Services