Press Releases

“USDA OIG will not tolerate the violent and inhuman practice of dogfighting,” said Inspector General John Walk. “I commend our law enforcement agents for rescuing more than 100 dogs from this heinous cruelty and bringing the defendants to face justice.”

Today, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch and USDA Inspector General John Walk briefed on the success of their partnership around Operation Stronghold – an education and outreach operation to fight SNAP fraud in Mississippi. These are exactly the types of successful partnerships – federal, state, and local – that will protect American tax dollars and help stop SNAP fraud across the nation.

"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

“Crop insurance fraud directly harms taxpayers who subsidize insurance premiums and undermines public trust,” said USDA Inspector General Walk. “It will not be tolerated.  Our law enforcement agents will vigorously pursue those who cheat the crop insurance program that supports honest, hardworking American farmers and bring the fraudsters to justice.”

“USDA OIG and its special agents are proud to be part of the investigation that landed this criminal on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive list. FBI is offering a reward of $1 million for information leading to Henderson Jr.’s arrest. Animal cruelty is reprehensible and dogfighting enterprises are often associated with other dangerous crimes to public safety. Together with our law enforcement partners we will bring criminals who endanger our communities to justice.” - USDA Inspector General John Walk

“Dogfighting is grossly inhuman and it is against the law,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. “USDA OIG remains resolute to bring those who commit this gruesome crime to justice. Let this prison sentence be a warning that violations of animal welfare laws will not be tolerated. It is unconscionable that this criminal supported himself by fraudulently exploiting a public relief program. I commend acting Special Agent in Charge Nathan Unger for his investigative work.”