In just a year’s time the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office collected $570 million in property, cars, jewelry and champagne from jailed criminals—more than eleven times its annual budget. By federal law, prosecutors are allowed to seize stolen items as well as those purchased with dirty money, reports the Daily News. Once the goods are auctioned off (like in one memorable bling sale), they can use the cash to pay back victims or fund new investigations. "For the victims, we are often all they have, so we are careful not just to get the bad guy, but to get their recompense," said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. more ›

A jury found Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV not guilty of driving while intoxicated, but convicted the uptown politician of the traffic violation of driving while impaired—a lesser offense that can carry up to 15 days in jail. The judge gave the Powell a $300 fine and rejected a prosecutor's request to outfit the lawmaker's car with a device that would keep it from starting if it detected alcohol. "What happened to me is what's probably happened to most, if not, all young men of color in this country," Powell, 47, told the Post. "When cops lie, anybody can be guilty." more ›

Authorities arrested the girlfriend of the fugitive hedge fund scammer yesterday. Debra Ryan reportedly confessed that she helped Sam Israel, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for swindling hundreds of millions from investors, plan his disappearance a week and a half ago. more ›

A bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Samuel Israel III, the hedge fund founder who was convicted of scamming investors of $450 million. Israel was supposed to report for a 20-year prison sentence in Massachusetts on Monday, but instead, his empty car was found on the Bear Mountain Bridge with "Suicide is painless" written on the hood. more ›