The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division), the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA Office of Inspector General today announced a nationwide series of enforcement actions targeting fraud involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and related USDA programs. Between Sept. 1, and today, the Fraud Division, 13 U.S.
Key details of the case
Attorneys’ Offices, and the Utah Attorney General’s Office conducted the Department’s first National USDA Benefits and Program Fraud Enforcement Surge. This coordinated effort resulted in actions against more than 40 defendants whose alleged or proven schemes caused nearly $45 million in intended losses to the federal government. Nearly $42 million of that amount involved fraud against SNAP benefits, which provide monthly food assistance to low-income individuals and families.
Moreover, another case involved attempted fraud against a USDA crop‑insurance program designed to help farmers recover from covered losses. “These schemes siphoned millions from taxpayers and robbed struggling Americans of the benefits they depend on so fraudsters could use them for their own selfish purposes,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Through our partnership with the Department of Agriculture, this nationwide surge exposed and disrupted criminal networks that targeted vulnerable American families.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice will continue working to root out fraud in every federal agency and program.”. “Every instance of SNAP fraud has two victims: families in dire need and taxpayers. Today, we are reminding fraudsters that we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins of USDA.
Enforcement actions and official statements
In addition, “Thank you to USDA’s OIG and our state and federal partners for working with us to bring justice to families harmed by criminals. Under the Trump Administration, food stamp fraud ends now.”. “The human cost of these fraud schemes is measured not in spreadsheets.
As a result, in the panic of a mother whose card is declined and the hunger her children endure because someone hijacked their benefits,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “These schemes inflict real harm on real American families. For complete details, refer to the official DOJ press release.
They erode the trust taxpayers place in programs designed to keep Americans fed. That is why the Fraud Division is acting with urgency, not just to prosecute fraud. To protect the people who depend on these lifelines.”.
Notably, “SNAP fraud despicably robs from low-income Americans that rely on the program for food assistance and diverts taxpayer funds to line the pockets of fraudsters and bankroll other criminal activities like guns and drugs that make American communities less safe,” said Inspector General John Walk of USDA OIG. USDA OIG is committed to support Vice President Vance’s leadership to disrupt fraud schemes and send criminals straight to prison. I am honored to stand with Vice President Vance today and grateful for our special agents whose work as part of this nationwide surge brought significant law enforcement actions against fraudsters in dozens of cases across the country. For related coverage, see Operation Not Forgotten 2026 results in 118 arrests and 41 federal charges.
This surge is only the beginning. USDA OIG will continue to unite behind our partners in the whole-of-government fight to eliminate fraud and hold fraudsters to account.”. “SNAP benefit fraud steals from American taxpayers and from the families who depend on these benefits to put food on the table”, said Acting Executive Associate Director John A.
Subsequently, condon of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Homeland Security Investigations is working closely with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to identify and dismantle the criminal networks that use skimming devices, stolen identities, fraudulent retailers. Other schemes to exploit this critical program. For related coverage, see Joseph Rodriguez convicted in $15 million Medicare fraud scheme.
At the same time, those who profit by stealing public benefits should know that HSI will pursue the evidence, follow the money, and hold them accountable.”. SNAP fraud harms vulnerable families who rely on these benefits to buy food. One recent victim, a mother whose electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card was compromised, discovered her benefits had been stolen only when her card was declined at a grocery store.
She was forced to take out loans to feed her children and reported significant anxiety and depression as a result. Prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys/Fraud Division Deputy Chiefs Ryan Saunders and Brian McDonough for the Southern District of Ohio.
Prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracia King for the Northern District of Georgia with assistance from District Fraud Counsel AOR: Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Joy for the Northern District of Georgia.
Investigation and prosecution details
Prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsey Hanson and Simon Eth for the Middle District of Florida, with assistance from. District Fraud Counsel AOR: Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Trezevant for the Middle District of Florida. .