Waste, Fraud & Abuse
Catch me if you can’t: How fraudsters are outpacing the government
COMMENTARY | The government must stop chasing money lost to fraud and instead focus on preventing the crime before payments go out. This requires policy changes so agencies can share information and be rewarded for stopping losses at the source.
Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to step down amid misconduct allegations
The Labor Department’s inspector general is investigating claims involving inappropriate messages to staff and misuse of funds, as the White House names Keith Sonderling acting secretary.
Trump’s federal workforce changes cost the economy more than $165.6B, analysis finds
The Partnership for Public Service report includes the costs of the deferred resignation program, severance pay for laid-off civil servants and federal employees who were on paid administrative leave while their firings were challenged in court.
Scammers posing as federal officials drive complaints up and rack up $800 million in losses
The scams, some of which were fueled by AI, can be especially effective because they exploit the built-in authority and urgency people associate with institutions.
VA’s former EHR lead indicted for concealing contractor gifts
The Justice Department alleges that John Windom accepted and sometimes demanded various gifts while helming the electronic health record modernization at Veterans Affairs.
Trump’s anti-fraud task force poised to scrutinize benefits programs
The new White House task force will withhold government funding for state and local benefits programs if their anti-fraud controls are viewed as lacking.
The Pentagon’s investment deals draw congressional scrutiny
DOD weapons buyer Michael Duffey testified about the decision to invest $1 billion in L3Harris.
5 guardrails federal agencies need before the next emergency loan program
COMMENTARY | Congress can authorize speed, but accountable structures must be in place before the next emergency loan program begins.
Memo to JD Vance: Fighting the War on waste
COMMENTARY | The White House's proposed war on fraud, waste and abuse is neither new nor an assured outcome for any presidential administration, but history offers some lessons that can help get started.
Trump uses State of the Union to call for end of DHS shutdown, declares ‘war on fraud’
The president also promised to expand the type of retirement savings account currently available to federal employees to the general public.
As Trump administration cries ‘fraud,’ experts worry it does more harm than good
“It’s dismaying,” one longtime anti-fraud expert told Nextgov/FCW of how the administration is using fraud as rationale but firing the watchdogs that are tasked with finding it.
Exit interview: GAO’s Gene Dodaro talks impoundments, tenure and retirement priorities
The outgoing comptroller general reflects on leading the agency through national crises, building a skilled workforce and guiding federal oversight before his term ends Dec. 29.
Dave Powner returns to GAO, this time to advocate for its bipartisan, cost-saving work
“We are the watchdog for the Congress, and it's really important that they collectively know our value,” congressional relations official Dave Powner told Nextgov/FCW.
Treasury, GSA partner to reward fed employees who ID wasteful contract spending
Parts of the program could eventually expand beyond the Treasury Department.
Under fire, GAO explains its mission to Congress
COMMENTARY | The Government Accountability Office publishes a blog to explain its role amid threatened budget cuts and rhetoric that questions its value.
Fraud-fighting oversight committee gets a life extension in Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee was set to sunset in September, but now has life through 2034.
How William Howard Taft’s approach to government efficiency differed from Elon Musk’s slash-and-burn tactics
President Taft worked with Congress to launch his effort to streamline government, while Trump has taken a different route.
Updated
Inspectors general’s role as independent government watchdogs in question after Trump firings
Many inspector general offices will be headed by acting leaders in the interim, which could weaken the effectiveness of their oversight.
GAO saved the federal government $67.5 billion in fiscal 2024
The watchdog’s open recommendations could be a foundation for the new Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Trump and Musk want to create a government efficiency commission. It’s not a new idea
Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton both spearheaded initiatives to reduce government waste and inefficiency, although they went about it in vastly different ways.
AI tools helped Treasury recover billions in fraud and improper payments
Risk screening, check fraud detection and more have helped the government recover more than $4 billion, Treasury announced.
