Summary

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has no authority to retain the amounts of an award of criminal restitution that a federal district court ordered to be paid to FMCSA. The miscellaneous receipts statute, 31 U.S.C. 3302(b), requires that absent specific authority, federal agencies must deposit money received for the government into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. Although GAO recognizes a limited exception for certain amounts that constitute repayments, the restitution awarded here may not be characterized as such. Therefore, FMCSA must deposit money constituting the restitution award into the general fund of the Treasury.