Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced a major, coordinated federal and state crackdown on massive fraud schemes across Ohio. AAG Blanche detailed a 32-count indictment involving state employees, a scheme to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, the COVID-19 relief program PPP, and emphasized the administration’s relentless pursuit of law and order to protect American taxpayers.
Acting AG Blanche outlined a partnership with officials in the state of Ohio that has now identified thousands of individuals and groups that are under investigation and/or facing indictment as a result of the findings so far. [DOJ Press Release Here] Press Conference Below:
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DOJ – The Justice Department today announced unprecedented federal and state cooperation in Ohio in the fight against fraud, including partnerships and a data sharing agreement to enhance the detection and prosecution of fraud; federal and state charges against 9 defendants for their alleged participation in over $42 million in fraud; orders of detention this week for three defendants, with two additional defendants pending extradition in connection with an additional $15 million in fraud; and the creation of the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list. The charges announced today involve numerous types of fraud, including health care fraud, government program fraud, and consumer fraud schemes.
“Ohio is leading the charge in the fight against fraud, and some states should take notice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Working closely with Ohio officials, the Department of Justice dismantled a sophisticated Medicaid fraud scheme that exploited taxpayers to fund exotic cars and lavish lifestyles. By holding these fraudsters accountable and partnering with the FBI on a robust Most Wanted fraudster list, we are pursuing fraud more aggressively than ever. No fraud scheme is beyond our reach.”
“The Fraud Division is building a replicable model to combat the full range of fraudsters that are preying on Americans across the country,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s Fraud Division. “Whether its health care, emergency relief funds, or consumer frauds, fraudsters go where the money flows, and with our enhanced data analytics tools, dedicated prosecutors, and federal and state partners, the days of oversight lagging and accountability lacking are now over.” (read more)
I lived in Ohio for over 40 years. One thing was plainfuly clear. Ohio Republican candidates always ran as conservatives. When elected, always governed as Democrats. Been going on for decades.
Former Governor “Lockdown Larry” Hogan is the shining (stinking?) example of modern day Maryland Republican politicians. My guess is that most blue states as well as many red states suffer from Fake Conservative Republicans (RINOs) in their governments. I’ve concluded that most – a significant majority – politicians and political candidates all share similar character issues: generally weak / vulnerable character that’s easily tempted or coerced, combined with fungible morals and an underlying thirst for personal wealth and gaining access to greater wealth via political power.
We have to vet our candidates differently than we have been doing. Or in many cases, we have to make an effort to vet the candidates instead of waiting until we are looking at the ballot on election day and trying to guess..
What this means to me; the Ohio state Treasurer and Auditor were both derelict in the duties of their offices.
Derelict or complicit?
Glad to see this happen in my state. Would love to see some politicians go down for allowing this to happen including our weasel governor.
If politicians didn’t benefit from fraud, waste and abuse, the government could reduce taxes and still have a surplus.