"This week the USDA OIG announced its partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in the launch of the National Fraud Detection Center (NFDC). As a signatory of the NFDC Charter, USDA OIG has committed dedicated analysts and investigators to the prosecutor-led effort to strengthen interagency coordination to detect and dismantle complex fraud schemes dramatically strengthening our ability to safeguard taxpayer funds.” - USDA Inspector General John Walk

“This ‘unknown man’ used the stolen identity of a child who died in 1977 to successfully obtain government benefits across numerous programs for 25 years beginning decades after the child’s death. Something is broken," said USDA Inspector General John Walk. "This underscores the importance of strengthening fraud prevention measures like upfront identity verification and data analytics to stop the fraud before it happens.”

Fraudster sentenced to three years in federal prison and ordered to pay $36,373 in restitution for aggravated identity theft and benefits fraud following an investigation by USDA OIG and HHS OIG. He fraudulently received SNAP benefits in Maine and New York and used the stolen identity to apply for and receive healthcare benefits from Maine’s Medicaid program. Working together with our law enforcement partners in conjunction with the White House Task Force on Fraud, we will hold those accountable who steal from the American taxpayer.

“I commend the work of our USDA OIG special agents who partnered with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to support the successful apprehension of this Ten Most Wanted Fugitive. We stand united with our law enforcement partners to protect the safety of American communities.” – USDA Inspector General John Walk