Press Releases

“Criminal organizations and other sophisticated fraudsters are increasingly targeting USDA nutrition assistance programs, like SNAP and CACFP, through sophisticated fraud schemes such as electronic benefit transfer (EBT) theft, SNAP trafficking, retail fraud, identity theft, false claim and cyber methodologies,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. "We are proud to make this announcement with U.S. Attorney Quiñones as we seek to work together on the investigations and ultimate prosecutions of these crimes against the neediest Americans.

“Dogfighting is violent and inhumane, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture OIG will continue to pursue those who commit this heinous crime,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk.  “I commend our USDA OIG special agents, the U.S. Attorney’s office, and law enforcement partners who brought this defendant to justice and rescued 40 dogs from ongoing cruelty.”

“It was great to join the Secret Service in Portland as part of Joint Operation Pacific Northwest to go after SNAP fraud by skimming. Skimming steals from unsuspecting SNAP recipients. A single illicit skimmer in a retail location can be used to rob multitudes of low-income victims of taxpayer funded food assistance. Thanks to our agents and the Secret Service for the good work to tackle this fraud in Seattle, Anchorage and Portland." - USDA Inspector General John Walk.

“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. No more! 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. 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,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk.

“This organized criminal scheme not only resulted in the loss of food assistance benefits for needy families whose EBT card data was skimmed or otherwise stolen. Egregiously, the corrupt enterprise also placed public health and safety—including of babies—at risk by selling products like infant formula on the black market,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk. “I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office, USDA OIG special agents and our law enforcement partners for disrupting this dangerous scheme and bringing the fraudsters to face justice.”

“This fraudster tried to escape justice by fleeing to his home country of India. Now the long arm of the law has brought him back to the United States to face the consequences for his crimes,” said USDA Inspector General John Walk.  “Stealing SNAP benefits – food assistance benefits intended for low-income Americans – is wrong and no matter where they run, we will not stop pursuing those who perpetrate these crimes against the poorest Americans and the American taxpayer.”