I wonder how the DA could settle with the victim (we won’t keep the money if you promise not to sue) when the original civil forfeiture charge is technically ag

I wonder how the DA could settle with the victim (we won’t keep the money if you promise not to sue) when the original civil forfeiture charge is technically against the money, not against the victim. I wonder if he has the right to continue legal action against the DA because he did not receive any benefit for relinquishing his legal rights. If a civil rights organization chose to pursue this and convinced a court that the DA would have to provide restitution, that may convince law-enforcement that there’s a cost to pursue civil forfeiture if it’s without basis.