The Federal Fraudcast

Nine billion dollars stolen from Minnesota social programs. The government knew about it and retaliated against the people who tried to stop it.

Every federal agency has an Inspector General tasked with catching fraud. But who watches the watchdogs? According to the GAO, the answer is: nobody.

Three trillion dollars in improper federal payments since 2003. The GAO documents it. Congress reads about it. Nothing changes.

One in nine dollars lost to fraud and incompetence in state unemployment programs. The Department of Labor put all fifty governors on notice.

The IRS stopped $7 billion in identity theft fraud. Billions more slipped through — because two government agencies couldn't share a spreadsheet before the deadline.

One hundred and eighty billion dollars lost to fraud, mismanagement, and criminal negligence in California—and nobody goes to prison.

One hundred and thirty million dollars in cash — physically moved across state lines — from a program meant to feed hungry children.

For sixteen consecutive years, the GAO has told Congress about $100 billion in waste. For sixteen years, Congress nodded thoughtfully — and did nothing.

One hundred billion dollars in improper Medicaid payments. Ben Franklin breaks down how the scheme works — and why the patients who complained were already dead.