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U.S.S.G. §8C1.1

Determining the Fine ― Criminal Purpose Organizations

activein force · 2018-11-01 – presentact-effective-date

If, upon consideration of the nature and circumstances of the offense and the

history and characteristics of the organization, the court determines that the

organization operated primarily for a criminal purpose or primarily by criminal

means, the fine shall be set at an amount (subject to the statutory maximum)

sufficient to divest the organization of all its net assets. When this section applies, Subpart 2 (Determining the Fine ― Other Organizations) and §8C3.4

(Fines Paid by Owners of Closely Held Organizations) do not apply.

Commentary

Application Note:

1. “Net assets,” as used in this section, means the assets remaining after payment of all legitimate

claims against assets by known innocent bona fide creditors.

Background: This guideline addresses the case in which the court, based upon an examination of the

nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the organization, determines that the organization was operated primarily for a criminal purpose (e.g., a front for a scheme

that was designed to commit fraud; an organization established to participate in the illegal manufacture, importation, or distribution of a controlled substance) or operated primarily by criminal means

(e.g., a hazardous waste disposal business that had no legitimate means of disposing of hazardous

waste). In such a case, the fine shall be set at an amount sufficient to remove all of the organization’s

net assets. If the extent of the assets of the organization is unknown, the maximum fine authorized by

statute should be imposed, absent innocent bona fide creditors.

History

Effective November 1, 1991 (amendment 422).

Provenance

Source
ussc.gov
Retrieved
2026-09-20
Edition
ussg-2018
Content hash
b83453e54b3ef3b862475d72358b5af350d3e8679b251acc280a52ef9fb14133
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U.S.S.G. §8C1.1 — Determining the Fine ― Criminal Pur… · binding.law