U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Wigginton announced Thursday the Southern District of Illinois collected $8.8 million in fiscal year 2012 related to criminal and civil actions.

Of that amount, $2.24 million was collected in criminal actions and $6.55 million was collected in civil actions.

Additionally, the office collected $1.39 million in criminal and civil forfeitures.

"During this time of economic recovery, these collections are more important than ever," Wigginton said. "My office is dedicated to protecting the public and recovering funds for the federal treasury and for victims of federal crime. We will continue to hold accountable those who seek to profit from their illegal activities. We will continue to make crime pay, not for criminals, but for the citizens of Southern Illinois."

Nationwide, United States Attorneys' offices collected $13.1 billion in criminal and civil actions during fiscal year 2012, more than doubling the $6.5 billion collected in fiscal year 2011.