#COVID-19 relief fraud

[newspatron]

Shocked by the Shubham Gupta Cow Scam? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below! Let's fight corruption together! 💪🇮🇳

The Never-Ending Saga of Scams Just when we thought the dust had settled on the IAS Pooja Khedkar controversy, another scandal has reared its ugly head in India’s administrative circles. This time, it’s the “Shubham Gupta Cow Scam,” and it’s got everyone talking. 🐄💰 The Never-Ending Saga of ScamsUnraveling the Milch Cow Distribution Scam 🐄🔍Accusations GaloreModus Operandi: The Art of the…

[svalleynow]

Stevenson, AL woman charged in COVID scheme gets 14 months and must repay $120,025

Stevenson, Alabama woman charged in COVID scheme gets 14 months and must repay $120,025...

A Stevenson, Alabama woman was sentenced to 14-months in prison on Wednesday after conviction from her involvement in a scheme to defraud COVID-19 unemployment programs in multiple states. 29-year-old Randa Faye Allison appeared before Judge Curtis L. Collier in Chattanooga on Wednesday for sentencing. As part of the filed plea agreement with the court, the Department of Justice says Allison pled…

[headlinehorizon]

The Great COVID-19 Aid Grift: Millions Stolen, Luxury Island Bought, and Justice Sought

Renowned Florida businessman Patrick Parker Walsh sentenced to federal prison for stealing $8 million in COVID-19 relief funds. Uncovering the shocking scale of pandemic fraud and the audacious spending of thieves. The latest news on the government's pursuit of justice.

[tomorrowusa]

Is anybody up for some Schadenfreude?

Anecdotally it seems that the percentage of crooks and sex offenders is higher among high-profile homophobes and hate mongers in general.

Joe Harding is a former member of the Florida legislature and an ally of Ron DeSantis. Harding sponsored the state's "don't say gay" bill. He's now going to federal prison for fraud.

A federal judge on Thursday sentenced to prison a former Florida state legislator who catapulted to national attention for being the sponsor of a bill barring classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity that was called by its critics the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Former Rep. Joe Harding (R-Williston), who plead guilty in March to one count each of wire fraud, money laundering and making false statements as part of a scheme to fraudulently obtain a $150,000 federal Covid-19 relief loan, was sentenced to four months in prison. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor, who was appointed to the bench by former President Donald Trump, also sentenced Harding to two years of supervised release following his prison sentence. Court records show that Harding is scheduled to surrender to authorities on Jan. 29.

Four months is a relatively light term. But I suppose they need to make room for Donald Trump and his co-conspirators in federal prison next year.

Sadly, Harding's conviction doesn't erase his dirty work in the Florida legislature.

Titled “Parental Rights in Education,” the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill Harding sponsored was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022. It led to national condemnation from Democrats and LGBTQ supporters and a high profile battle between the governor and the Walt Disney Co., whose CEO at the time criticized the legislation.

[mfi-miami]

Miami Real Estate Influencer Arrested On Federal Fraud Charges

Miami Real Estate Influencer Daniela Rendon Arrested On Federal Fraud Charges For Misusing $381,000 In COVID-19 Relief Funds Federal authorities have arrested Miami real estate influencer and broker Daniela Rendon. They have accused Rendon of allegedly using COVID-19 relief funds to fund a lavish lifestyle. Rendon’s lavish lifestyle consisted of private jets and luxury yachts. In addition, they…

[reality-detective]

More Stuff We Already Know... Have patience because EVERYTHING has to be done by the rule of law. It's going by the Book. Justice is Coming...

Bombshell Report: The House COVID Committee Exposes a Pandemic of Lies and Incompetence

Buckle up, America. The House COVID Committee has released its final report after two years of investigation, and it’s a devastating indictment of the pandemic response. From taxpayer-funded lab experiments to unconstitutional lockdowns, catastrophic mismanagement, and outright fraud, this report exposes the truth they didn’t want you to see.

Your Tax Dollars Funded Wuhan’s Gain-of-Function Research

The NIH, under Dr. Anthony Fauci, funded dangerous gain-of-function experiments at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. This wasn’t a conspiracy theory—it’s fact. U.S. taxpayer money helped supercharge viruses through shady grants funneled to Wuhan by EcoHealth Alliance, led by Dr. Peter Daszak.

The report makes it clear: this negligence cannot go unpunished. The Committee calls for permanent bans on EcoHealth Alliance and Daszak from receiving taxpayer funds. Heads must roll.

Constitution Shredded: Lockdowns and Mandates Crossed the Line

During the pandemic, governors and bureaucrats used fear to impose unconstitutional lockdowns and mandates. Americans were stripped of their freedoms, churches were closed, and livelihoods destroyed—all in the name of “safety.”

The report is blunt: this was an authoritarian power grab. The Constitution doesn’t vanish in a crisis. These actions were a betrayal of American values, and we must ensure it never happens again.

COVID’s Origin: Lab Leak No Longer a Theory

After years of lies and suppression, the report confirms what many suspected: COVID-19 likely leaked from the Wuhan lab. The media, Big Tech, and public health officials worked together to smear anyone who questioned the narrative. The truth is out, and it demands justice.

Lockdowns: A Catastrophic Failure

The report eviscerates the decision to impose lockdowns, calling them a disaster. Small businesses were destroyed, mental health crises exploded, and children’s education suffered irreparable damage. The cure was worse than the disease. Never again should such draconian measures be used.

Fraud and Abuse: COVID Relief Stolen

Billions intended for struggling Americans were siphoned off by criminals. The report exposes widespread fraud in relief programs, from unemployment scams to fraudulent business loans. Where’s the accountability? The American people demand justice.

Final Judgment: Never Again

The report sends a clear message: this was a pandemic of lies, incompetence, and corruption. The American people suffered while bureaucrats and grifters thrived. The fight for accountability starts now.

Will you join the battle to ensure this never happens again? 🤔

[phoenixyfriend]

Suggested topics to call your reps about today, 1/30/24!

I’ve been doing two subjects per call recently; one is almost always about the events in the middle east, and then one is domestic policy. I’m including a bit of verbiage you can use as basis for what you say (if you agree with me), for a few of these.

BOTH SENATE AND HOUSE:

Foreign Policy: Reinstate funding for UNRWA. While the claims made by Israel that employees of the relief agency were involved in Oct. 7th are troubling, this arm of the UN is currently providing food, water, shelter, and medical care to the 2.3 million displaced peoples of Gaza. It is especially disturbing and concerning that the many children of Gaza, who are already suffering due to this conflict, are now having this support revoked.

Warn Congress to reaaaaally think about whether a strong response to the incident in Jordan, currently attributed to an Iraqi group backed by Iran, if we're truly looking to avoid a wider regional war as claimed. There is already growing unrest in Yemen and the threat of another civil war, fire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and now the situation with the Islamic Resistance. Caution them against an overreaction of the kind that the US has a tendency towards.

FOR THE SENATE: Urge your senator to put their support behind Bernie Sanders and his motion to restrict funding to Israel until a humanitarian review of the IDF’s actions in Gaza has been completed.

FOR THE HOUSE: Urge your representative to put their support behind Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s petition for the US government to recognize the IDF’s actions in Gaza as ethnic cleansing and forced displacement, and put a stop to it.

Domestic Policy

House of Representatives:

Expansion of the child tax credit. The House of Representatives is currently voting on whether or not to expand the child tax credit that was instated during COVID-19. This credit offers a return on taxes for individuals with children, but currently does not apply to families that are too poor to qualify. During COVID, this tax credit was expanded to include those families, and child poverty fell to record lows, but as it was a temporary measure, those children are getting left behind again. Given the effectiveness the expansion of this tax regulation showed in the past, it would be a net positive for the country as a whole to codify it more permanently.

Other things coming up in the next week if you think your rep might be receptive:

H.R. 6976: Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act: Vote no. This act is discriminatory and enforces harsher penalties on immigrants than in legal citizens. While DUIs are a significant issue, enacting stronger guidelines on a small portion of the population that is already at risk from discriminatory police action is not a solution.

H.R. 6679: No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act - Vote no or dismiss if possible. Terrorism is already considered a reason to reject immigrants. This bill is pointless peacocking. You have better things to do with your time.

H.R. 6678: Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act - Vote no. This proposed act is discriminatory and enacts unduly harsh sentences against minorities. The system already has punishments for fraud; this specific act is unnecessary.

H.R. 5585: Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act - Are you sensing a pattern? It's discriminatory! Evading law enforcement on a motor vehicle is already illegal, you do not need to ADD IMMIGRATION PENALTIES.

Senate:

Abortion rights. Domestically, for the senate, push for abortion rights.

Specific things coming up in the next week if you think your Senator might be receptive:

H.R. 6914: Pregnant Students’ Rights Act - Call to ask that the resolution EXPLICITLY include abortion access, or otherwise vote against. This passed the house on strict party lines; other than a handful of abstentions, the vote was all republican for and all dems against. The text of the proposal is explicitly anti-abortion.

H.R. 6918: Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act - same as above, it was very partisan in the house vote, though less explicitly anti-abortion in the text. Nonetheless, it focuses explicitly on protecting funding to "pregnancy centers," which are often anti-choice and dedicated to pushing patients towards keeping a baby they don't want.

DOMESTIC POLICY, BOTH BRANCHES OF CONGRESS: Border policy is currently being hotly debated and negotiated. A very strong policy in favor of the Republican party is the status at the moment. Even some democrats are in favor of it due to small border communities being ill-equipped to handle large numbers of migrants, and states usually removed from the situation getting migrants bussed in from Texas despite telling Texas to knock it off. Despite some Republicans saying that they have gotten everything they could want out of the current deal, the party at large is refusing to pass it as the politics of the debate are more useful to the coming election than actually passing policy. This is also causing delays in passing the federal budget.

I... don't actually want to tell anyone WHAT to think of the border policy since I do not have any real knowledge on the budget impacts and resources dictating the actual problems (nor the racism or xenophobia, that part is obviously bullshit). I can recognize that too some degree, there is a genuine issue of manpower and budget restriction impacting the ability to house and process immigrants.

However, DREAMers are not being considered in the current deal, the delays in the deal are impacting the federal government and threatening a partial shutdown, and people are STILL getting hurt and even dying at the border.

I would focus on protection for DREAMers, chastising the Republicans for deliberately delaying the budget in order to use the border as a reelection premise instead of actually working on the policy they claim to want (emphasize that they are going to lose votes for focusing on reelection at the expense of their people), and protection for children, parents with those children, and nonviolent migrants in general.

[mariacallous]

The United States Department of Justice on Wednesday announced charges against a 35-year-old Chinese national, Yunhe Wang, accused of operating a massive botnet allegedly linked to billions of dollars in fraud, child exploitation, and bomb threats, among other crimes.

Wang, identified by numerous pseudonyms—Tom Long and Jack Wan, among others—was arrested on May 24 and is accused of distributing malware through various pop-up VPN services, such as “ProxyGate” and “MaskVPN,” and by embedding viruses in internet files distributed via peer-to-peer networks known as torrents.

The malware is said to have compromised computers located in nearly every country in the world, turning them into proxies through which criminals were able to hide their identities while committing countless crimes. According to prosecutors in the US, this included the theft of billions of dollars slated for Covid-19 pandemic relief—funds allegedly stolen by foreign actors posing as unemployed US citizens.

According to an indictment, the infected computers allegedly provided Wang’s customers with a persistent backdoor, allowing them to disguise themselves as any one of the victims of Wang’s malware. This illicit proxy service, known as “911 S5,” launched as early as 2014, the US government says.

“The 911 S5 Botnet infected computers in nearly 200 countries and facilitated a whole host of computer-enabled crimes, including financial frauds, identity theft, and child exploitation,” says FBI director Christopher Wray, who described the illicit service as “likely the world’s largest botnet ever.”

The US Treasury Department has also sanctioned Wang and two other individuals allegedly tied to 911 S5.

Wang is said to have amassed access to nearly 614,000 IP addresses in the US and more than 18 million others worldwide—collectively forming the botnet. 911 S5’s customers were able to filter the IPs geographically to choose where they’d like to appear to be located, down to a specific US zip code, the DOJ claims.

The indictment states that of the 150 dedicated servers used to manage the botnet, as many as 76 were leased by US-based service providers, including the one hosting 911 S5’s client interface, which allowed criminals overseas to purchase goods using stolen credit cards, in many cases for the alleged purpose of circumventing US export laws.

More than half a million fraudulent claims lodged with pandemic relief programs in the United States are allegedly tied to 911 S5. According to the indictment, nearly $6 billion in losses have been linked to IP addresses captured by 911 S5. Many of the IP addresses have been reportedly tied to more insidious crimes, including bomb threats and the trafficking of child sexual abuse material, or CSAM.

“Proxy services like 911 S5 are pervasive threats that shield criminals behind the compromised IP addresses of residential computers worldwide,” says Damien Diggs, the US attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, where the charges against Wang were brought by a grand jury earlier this month.

Adds Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division: “These criminals used the hijacked computers to conceal their identities and commit a host of crimes, from fraud to cyberstalking.”

At the time of writing, it is unclear whether these virtual impersonations resulted in any criminal investigations or charges against US-based victims whose IP addresses were hijacked as part of the 911 S5 botnet. WIRED is awaiting a response from the Department of Justice regarding this concern.

According to the Justice Department, law enforcement agencies in Singapore, Thailand, and Germany collaborated with US authorities to effect Wang’s arrest.

Wang faces charges of conspiracy, computer fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to money laundering, with a maximum penalty of 65 years in prison. The US is also seeking to seize a mountain of luxury cars and goods allegedly owned by Wang, including a 2022 Ferrari Spider valued at roughly half a million dollars as well as a Patek Philippe watch worth potentially several times that amount.

[follow-up-news]

More than $200 billion may have been stolen from two large COVID-19 relief initiatives, according to new estimates from a federal watchdog investigating federally funded programs that helped small businesses survive the worst public health crisis in more than a hundred years. The numbers issued Tuesday by the U.S. Small Business Administration inspector general are much greater than the office’s previous projections and underscore how vulnerable the Paycheck Protection and COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs were to fraudsters, particularly during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. The inspector general’s report said “at least 17 percent of all COVID-EIDL and PPP funds were disbursed to potentially fraudulent actors.” The fraud estimate for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is more than $136 billion, which represents 33 percent of the total money spent on that program, according to the report. The Paycheck Protection fraud estimate is $64 billion, the inspector general said.

[beardedmrbean]

President Biden’s labor head could be forcing US taxpayers to foot the bill for roughly $32 billion in unemployment fraud she caused when serving during the COVID-19 pandemic as California’s top labor official, Republican senators wrote in a Wednesday letter.

Sens. Bill Cassidy and Mike Crapo expressed concerns in a letter to Labor Secretary Julie Su about December Labor Department guidelines that may “allow California to shift the consequences of a still unknown amount of federal funds that was lost” by its Employment Development Department (EDD) during her tenure.

The $32.6 billion in COVID relief to fraudsters amounts to as much as one third of the total erroneous unemployment insurance payments, according to a Government Accountability Office report last September.

That’s more than double the annual budget of the US Department of Labor, the senators noted.

A California State Controller report also found that the state “had inadequate control over its financial reporting for federally funded unemployment insurance benefits,” making it difficult to determine the extent of the fraud.

The guidelines let states determine the extent to which funds lost to fraud are paid back — or waived entirely.

Cassidy (R-La.) and Crapo (R-Idaho) said in May 1 testimony before the House Education and Workforce Committee that Su claimed states could only “waive non-fraudulent overpayments.”

“While serving as Secretary for the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA), you waived basic fact-checking and fraud prevention requirements for federal pandemic-related unemployment insurance (UI) payments,” the senators wrote.

That decision contradicted US Labor Department guidance, they said, and California’s auditor added that it had made “repeated warnings” to EDD — but the department “did not bolster its fraud detection efforts until months into the pandemic, and it suspended a critical safeguard.” 

EDD ruled that it has taken all “reasonably necessary” steps to recoup the lost funds, making them all but forgiven if the new Labor Department guidelines are approved.

Cassidy and Crapo have demanded Su answer more than a dozen questions related to California’s process for determining its liability.

The Post has reached out to the Labor Department for comment.

[darkmaga-returns]

Finding: Lackluster Oversight Resulted in Transnational Criminal Organizations and Fraudsters Stealing U.S. Taxpayer Money from Pandemic Relief Funds

International criminal organizations and foreign government-affiliated actors exploited the urgency of relief programs and orchestrated sophisticated fraud schemes that span multiple countries.

Chinese government-linked hackers stole at least $20 million in U.S. Government COVID-19 relief funds

An USSS investigation revealed that hackers affiliated with the Chinese government, specifically identified as APT41, were implicated in theft of $20 million of U.S. Government COVID-19 relief funds

APT41 has a history of fraudulent activity in the past, specifically traditional unemployment insurance fraud against SBA across dozens of states

APT41 also has a history of espionage activities on behalf of the Chinese government, including attacks on pro-democracy politicians in Hong Kong and data breaches affecting more than 100 organizations

A Nigerian fraud ring stole $10 million in pandemic relief funds

Mr. Abemdemi Rufai, a Nigerian government official, organized a large-scale cyberfraud scheme—named Scattered Canary—targeting COVID-19 relief funds

Scattered Canary, a business email compromise operation, filed at least 174 fraudulent unemployment claims in Washington state and 17 in Massachusetts that were all accepted, all with an expected payout of $5.4 million

An Indian national stole $8 million in a COVID-19 relief fraud scheme

A federal grand jury in Newark, New Jersey indicted an Indian national for submitting fraudulent PPP loan applications totaling more than $8.2 million

The defendant submitted at least 17 applications on behalf non-existent companies, using false information about employees and payroll

He also fabricated tax filings on behalf of a non-existent business to receive more relief payments

He reportedly received $3.3 million in loan proceeds which he then laundered

Domestic and International Fraudsters that Stole from Pandemic Relief Programs were also Connected to Other Organized Crimes

Fraudsters involved with stealing millions of dollars were also involved in other federal crimes including wire fraud and drug smuggling

DOL IG has continued to connect abuse of UI relief funds to organized criminal groups

The National UI Fraud Task Force was created to combat fraud of UI perpetrated by domestic and international criminal organizations, many of which include street-level criminal organizations with ties to illegal guns and drugs

The U.S. Attorney's Office charged six individuals, including two Maryland State Department of Labor subcontractors, with participating in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain $3.5 million in UI benefits

The lead defendant now faces separate narcotics and firearms charges, including allegations that he unlawfully possessed a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime

Another convicted felon charged with CARES Act fraud also committed firearm offenses and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland targeted cases with connections between COVID-19 fraud and individuals involved with violent crime, organized criminal networks, business email compromise schemes, and narcotics distribution

[meandmybigmouth]

The owners of a Colorado funeral home accused of mishandling nearly 200 sets of human remains are now facing charges for allegedly fraudulently obtaining more than $880,000 in Covid-19 relief funds and using it for personal expenses like trips and jewelry, federal prosecutors said.

8+ TRILLION DOLLARS THE GOP AND TRUMP PISSED AWAY AND THE GOP CLAIMS TO BE THE FISCAL SANE ONE?

[ngdrb]

Why Voting for Joe Biden is a Vote for Integrity and Progress

As the 2024 Presidential Election approaches, voters face a crucial decision that will shape the future of our nation. The choice between incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump is not merely a matter of policy preference but a question of leadership, integrity, and commitment to American values. Here’s why casting your vote for Joe Biden is a vote for a brighter, more honest, and progressive future.

Biden's Steadfast Leadership and Achievements

Since taking office, President Joe Biden has steered the country through unprecedented challenges with a steady hand and a clear vision. His administration has made significant strides in various areas:

Economic Recovery and Growth: Under Biden’s leadership, the economy has shown remarkable resilience. The American Rescue Plan, a comprehensive $1.9 trillion stimulus package, provided essential relief to families, businesses, and communities struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative spurred economic recovery, reduced unemployment, and laid the groundwork for sustained growth.

Healthcare Improvements: Biden has worked diligently to strengthen and expand the Affordable Care Act, ensuring that millions more Americans have access to affordable healthcare. His administration's efforts to lower prescription drug prices and increase funding for mental health services have been critical in improving the nation’s overall health.

Climate Action: Acknowledging the urgent threat of climate change, President Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement on his first day in office. He has since launched ambitious plans to transition the U.S. to a clean energy economy, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. His investments in renewable energy and infrastructure are creating jobs and positioning the United States as a global leader in combating climate change.

Social Justice and Equality: President Biden has prioritized social justice, advancing policies that promote racial equity and protect the rights of all Americans. His administration has taken decisive action against systemic racism, supported LGBTQ+ rights, and worked to ensure a fair and equitable justice system.

Contrasting Trump's Record of Falsehoods and Legal Troubles

In stark contrast, former President Donald Trump’s tenure was marked by a troubling pattern of misinformation and legal issues that have undermined public trust and tarnished the office of the presidency:

Falsehoods and Misinformation: Throughout his term, Trump was notorious for spreading false information. Fact-checkers have documented thousands of false or misleading claims made by Trump, eroding public confidence and sowing division. His unfounded claims about the 2020 election being stolen culminated in the January 6th insurrection, a dark day in American history.

Criminal Convictions and Investigations: Trump's post-presidency has been clouded by legal troubles. He faces multiple investigations and has been indicted on charges related to financial fraud and interference in the 2020 election. These ongoing legal battles further illustrate a disregard for the rule of law and ethical standards.

Policy Failures and Divisiveness: Trump's approach to governance often prioritized personal gain over national interest. His mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unnecessary suffering and death. Moreover, his policies frequently alienated allies and deepened national divides, leaving a legacy of discord and instability.

A Clear Choice for America's Future

As we stand at this critical juncture, it is imperative to choose a leader who embodies honesty, integrity, and a genuine commitment to the American people. President Joe Biden’s proven record of accomplishment, compassionate leadership, and forward-thinking policies make him the clear choice for those who envision a united, prosperous, and just America.

In contrast, Donald Trump’s tenure and ongoing legal issues highlight a concerning pattern of deception and misconduct that our nation cannot afford to revisit. By voting for Joe Biden, we are not only endorsing a candidate but also reaffirming our dedication to the core values that define our democracy. Let us move forward together, with hope and determination, toward a brighter future for all Americans.

[ridenwithbiden]

ICYMI last week

"The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Wednesday the launch of two new COVID-19 fraud strike forces, as 371 people were charged over offenses in connection to the alleged theft of more than $800 million in coronavirus aid.

Out of the 371 defendants charged with pandemic-related fraud, 119 of them either pleaded guilty or were convicted at trial, according a DOJ press release. Authorities also said that more than $57 million in court-ordered restitution was imposed, and 117 civil matters occurred during the federal sweep, with more than $10.4 million in judgments.

Federal prosecutors also worked with law enforcement authorities to secure forfeiture of more than $231.4 million, the DOJ said.

“The Justice Department has now seized over $1.4 billion in COVID-19 relief funds that criminals had stolen and charged over 3,000 defendants with crimes in federal districts across the country,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

“This latest action, involving over 300 defendants and over $830 million in alleged COVID-19 fraud, should send a clear message: the COVID-19 public health emergency may have ended, but the Justice Department’s work to identify and prosecute those who stole pandemic relief funds is far from over.”

The department also announced the launch of two additional coronavirus fraud strike forces: one at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and one at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.

The department said that the two new strike forces add to the three strikes launched last September in California, Florida and Maryland.

“The law enforcement actions announced today reflect the Justice Department’s focus — working with our law enforcement partners nationwide — on bringing to justice those who stole from American businesses and families at a time of national emergency,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. “The two new Strike Forces launched today will increase our reach as we continue to pursue fraudsters and recover taxpayer funds, no matter how long it takes.”