Attorney General Roy Cooper said he would help victims of crime get the restitution they are owed.
Cooper was responding to a story Sunday in The News & Observer that reported that for a decade the state court system has improperly divertion millions meant to compensate crime victims to state and local treasuries.
The diversion was the result of a misinterpretation of the law that was compounded by an incorrect computer setting.
"I’m shocked that crime victims have been forced to wait behind the government before getting the funds they deserve," said Cooper, who as a state senator in 1997, was the primary sponsor of the victim restitution bill.
Cooper today set up a task force in his office of Victims and Citizens Services to help crime victims receive their just compensation. The task force will work with the Administrative Office of the Courts and Clerks of Court to help get victims the money they are entitled to receive.
Crime victims who need help getting court-ordered restitution can contact Cooper’s Victims and Citizens Services at vcs@ncdoj.gov or (919) 716-6780.
In a letter sent today to Judge John Smith, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, Cooper called on the state to make sure that both future and past crime victims get the restitution they are owed.
"Just as important as setting future priorities is making it right for past crime victims," Cooper said.
Update: Post now includes Cooper's role on the bill that granted victims restitution.
Document(s):
Judge Smith letter.pdf
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Re: Cooper vows to get money for victms
Sure is a lot of "first time I ever heard" and "shocked" that happens in NC State Govt. Couple that with the "I can't recall" crowd, and it kind of explains the mess we have. Has Mr. Cooper figured out where the funds for previous restitution are going to come from, or hasn't he heard the state is BROKE. Count on the agencies that received these diverted funds to pony up with the refunds, Oh yeah, they are broke too. Officals blamed this problem on a antique computer system, maybe we can get Apple to provide some rehab'd computer power to replace the 1980's Apple 2E the state is using now. After all, our enlighted GA just tossed Apple millions in incentives.
Our officials should be plugged into what the hecks happening, manage procatively instead of sitting around and constantly reacting and acting surprised, geez its really hard to find something that actually works in NC Govt.