About and Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Lisa Knepper
Lisa Knepper co-directs the Institute for Justice’s strategic research program. Knepper co-authored the second and third editions of Policing for Profit; the first, second, and third editions of License to Work; and Too Many Licenses? Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic online, CNN.com, and the journal Economic Affairs. Knepper graduated from The Ohio State University.
Jason Tiezzi
Jason Tiezzi is a data scientist who frequently collaborates with IJ, including on projects such as Unaccountable, Too Many Licenses?, and the third editions of both License to Work and Policing for Profit. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary and a master’s degree in data science from the University of Virginia.
Matthew P. West, Ph.D.
Matthew P. West is a senior research analyst at IJ. He previously authored Clean Cut and Forfeiture in Arizona Before Reform at IJ. Prior to joining IJ, he was an assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice at Southern Illinois University. There, he taught courses on research methods, statistics, and the justice system; mentored graduate students; and performed and published empirical research on topics like legal decision-making. West earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Aquinas College, a Master of Arts in criminal justice from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Ph.D. in criminology and criminal justice from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Elyse Pohl
Elyse Pohl is a legal research and policy attorney at IJ. She co-authored Unaccountable and Too Many Licenses?, as well as the third edition of Policing for Profit. Prior to joining IJ, Pohl worked in private practice representing clients in both litigation and transactional matters. She holds a master’s degree in human rights law from the University of Navarra in Spain. She earned her law degree magna cum laude from Ave Maria School of Law, where she was named “Most Dedicated Editor” on law review. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in foreign affairs.
Mindy Menjou
Mindy Menjou is assistant director of IJ’s strategic research team. She co-authored Beauty School Debt and Drop-Outs, Municipal Fines and Fees, Finding the American Dream at Home, and Forfeiture Transparency and Accountability. Menjou holds a Master in British Studies from the Humboldt University of Berlin in Germany and a Bachelor of Arts in English and French from the University of Southern California.
About the Contributors
David Warren, Ph.D.
David Warren is a senior research analyst on IJ’s strategic research team. He authored Bad Data and co-authored “Good Fences? Good Luck,” published in Regulation magazine. Previously at the Brookings Institution and Indiana University, he published work on city and regional policy, energy policy, and federalism. From 2015 to 2021, he taught Urban Problems and Solutions at Indiana University, introducing undergraduates to local government issues, including zoning, policing, and education policy. Warren holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, a master’s degree from The Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in public affairs from Indiana University.
Jorge E. Portillo, Ph.D.
Jorge Portillo is a senior research analyst at IJ. Prior to joining IJ, he worked as a senior economist at Economists Incorporated, a researcher and research manager at the Central Bank of Venezuela, and a lecturer at various universities in the United States and abroad. Portillo earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of the Andes and a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University.
Acknowledgments
The authors and contributors are indebted to a large collection of colleagues and friends who helped bring this project to life:
Dick Carpenter provided essential expertise and guidance throughout, especially with equitable sharing analyses. We could not have done without the support of Allan Hegedus and Rose Quinlan, who helped in ways too numerous to recount but including preparing and analyzing data, performing quality control checks, conducting background research, and drafting text for State Profiles. Harrison Weeks, Anthony Laudadio, Zachary Popovich, Kathy Sanchez, Marilyn Hazlett, William Nunnery, and Christian Stewart also helped with data collection and preparation. And if not for pro bono legal representation from the dogged team at Latham & Watkins LLP, as well as the FOIA efforts of Angela Erickson, Jennifer McDonald, and Kathy Sanchez, we would not have had IRS forfeiture data to analyze.
Expert IJ forfeiture attorneys answered questions, helped untangle complex statutes, gave sound advice, and reviewed various drafts: Dan Alban, Kirby West, Rob Johnson, Robert Frommer, Alasdair Whitney, Ben Field, Sam Gedge, Paul Avelar, Justin Pearson, Arif Panju, and James T. Knight II. Meagan Forbes, Sophie Mars, Matt Powers, Cary (Chapman) Davis, Mathias Valenta, Benjamin Marsh, and Nitin Rao helped identify reforms and cite check statutes. Keith Diggs helped verify flow charts describing forfeiture processes, as well as the underlying research. Cara Di Silvio secured access to necessary research materials. And Scott Bullock and Dana Berliner offered input on multiple drafts.
Evan Lisull, Megan Passon, Joe Gay, and Sam Burdyl all proofread parts of the report. Evan Lisull also checked and formatted legal citations, as did Spencer Klopfer.
Laura Maurice-Apel created the eye-catching design and layout for the print version of the report, including the striking cover. Rima Gerhard built the attractive and user-friendly web version of the report, with guidance from Justin Wilson and support from Marlee Pricher. Marianne March helped with search engine optimization.