SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The U.S. Attorney's office in Utah says it collected more than $31 million this fiscal year that's owed to the federal government or victims of federal crimes.

U.S. Attorney David Barlow says his office collected more than $27 million from civil actions, and $4 million from criminal actions.

Defendants in certain federal cases are required to pay restitution to victims who suffer injuries or financial loss.

Restitution goes directly to the victims, while fines are paid into the Department of Justice's Crime Victims' Fund and are distributed to victim assistance programs.

Civil collections come when the U.S. recovers government money lost to fraud or other misconduct, or collects fines from individuals or corporations who violate federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws.